
ILOILO City – Over 2,000 bike enthusiasts from Western Visayas and across the country are joining this year’s Iloilo Bike Festival from July 29 to 31.
For the seventh consecutive time, Iloilo Business Park (IBP) in Mandurriao district plays host to Iloilo’s biggest gathering of bikers.
For July 30’s Tour of Iloilo Double Century Ride alone, more than 700 bikers registered, according to Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. (IFFI) executive director Joyce Clavecillas.
The Tour of Iloilo Double Century Ride stretches from this city to Iloilo province. It kicks off at 4 a.m. at the Megaworld Boulevard near Parksquare.
For the Criterium Race (Mountain Bike Category) on July 30 to 31, 500 registered to participate.
The race starts at 6 a.m. from Megaworld Boulevard near One Madison.
For the Kiddie Race on July 31, over 150 kid bikers are joining. The race kicks off at 8 a.m. from Parksquare.
On the other hand, some 1,000 bike enthusiasts are expected to participate in the Iloilo City Bike Tour – Grand Fun Ride which is the festival highlight on July 31. It starts at 4:30 p.m. at Parksquare.
The festival launching and opening ceremony was held on July 29 at Festive Walk Mall Iloilo.
Through the bike festival, Iloilo City gets to showcase its renowned bike lanes, said Mayor Jerry Treñas.
They have become crucial in promoting a sustainable, inclusive, secure, and active transport system in Iloilo City, he pointed out.
For its active promotion of biking, Iloilo City became a “Gold Awardee” of the Bike Lane Awards 2021 by the Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Public Works and Highways and Department of Tourism.
Just this April, Iloilo City was also hailed as “Most Bike-Friendly City” in the Philippines in the Mobility Awards.
As Iloilo City vies to be the “bike capital” of the Philippines, Treñas said the city government has always put premium on the safety of riders and bikers.
“Improved and protected bikes lanes have encouraged more Ilonggos to make use of safer and more environment-friendly mode of transport. Bike lane initiatives also address traffic congestion,” he added.
For her part, Department of Tourism regional director Cristine Mansinares said the bike festival promotes health and wellness tourism integrated with art, food and local history.
“Biking is not only an interesting way to see Iloilo City. It is also a great way to taste its flavors, to experience its vibrant art scene and of course, learn from its past,” she said.
The Department of Tourism has in fact extended support to the Office of the City Tourism that is training community tour guides.
Meanwhile, Iloilo City MICE director Salvador “Dong” Sarabia said Iloilo Bike Festival 2022 represents this southern city’s readiness to innovate transportation structures to support the Ilonggos’ passion for biking not just as a safer mode of public transportation but as a lifestyle as well.
Other festival side activities is a Bike Exhibit, Bike Expo and Iloilo Radio Control Sports Club; food fair; Listo Tayo Road Safety Seminar by APO Cemex; and Interactive Bikers’ Forum, among others./PN