As we prepare for the ‘new normal’ life, some things will never be the same the way they used to be.

The sardines-like scenario will never be seen again in public transportation as social distancing will be demanded from now on.

Transport crisis is inevitable and that’s why bicycles are now being pitched to be an alternative mode of transportation as we face COVID-19 pandemic.

Are we all ready to embrace biking as our new normal mode of transportation? If we think from a wider perspective, this idea must have been implemented a long time ago. Riding a bicycle is efficient, affordable, and sustainable.

In Pasig City, the transport department has declared biking as an essential form of transportation and not just an alternative one by the virtue of Executive Order No. 18 Series of 2020.

Following the suspension of mass transport in the Metro, the city government of Pasig has immediately thought of the best way to address the crisis. The initiative taken by the city has been commendable as they let bikers to ply on the roads that were once filled by cars.

Two months after lockdown, how will the government address the crisis on mass transport after Metro Manila has shifted to a softer version of ECQ? This should be the biggest question of many today.

In an interview with Robert Siy, chief planner of Pasig Transport and a biking advocate who took up Transport Economics abroad, of NOLISOLI.PH, he emphasized that the government must modify the current road policies and must be taken the Build, Build, Build, program into consideration if the biking agenda will be pushed in the future.

 “Promoting cycling is first and foremost about making the activity safe and convenient. You need a path to cycle on and somewhere to park. Look at cities with similar weather as us, such as Taipei and Singapore—they have better cycling outcomes because of their investment in safe infrastructure. In my experience, it’s also much more pleasant to be cycling,” he says. 

Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Danny Lim said in an interview with Manila Bulletin columnist Atty. Gregorio Larrazabal, that he is very receptive to the idea of pushing cycling as a viable means of transportation in Metro Manila.

Truly, to have bicycles as our new mode of transportation in time of COVID-19 is a great idea to many. A lot of talks have been rounding up.

Is biking the only way to address our transport crisis now? Are we all up to have bikes as our new normal mode of transportation?