ILOILO City – The streets of Iloilo came alive once more as the 11th Iloilo Bike Festival officially opened on May 31, 2025, at Park Square, Iloilo Business Park (IBP) in Megaworld, marking the beginning of a two-week celebration dedicated to cycling, sustainability, and community spirit.
Dubbed the longest-running and most expansive edition to date, this year’s festival runs until June 15, featuring a packed calendar of events designed to engage both competitive athletes and casual riders.
From high-octane races to advocacy-driven programs, the festival, with this year’s theme, “Pedal Forward: Shaping Iloilo’s Cycling Future, reflects the city’s growing commitment to developing a vibrant and inclusive cycling culture.
Delivering a message on behalf of Iloilo City’s Mayor Jerry Treñas, Executive Assistant Jay Treñas emphasized the broader purpose of the festival beyond festivities and sport.
“For our Bike Festival, we have not only sustained this initiative but elevated it into one of Iloilo’s most highly anticipated annual events — inspiring communities and strengthening our shared vision for a vibrant cycling culture,” Treñas said.
“Iloilo City proudly holds the distinction of being the country’s bike capital, but beyond this prestigious title lies our unwavering advocacy to champion bike culture, environmental protection, and a healthier way of life, not just within our city but across our great nation,” he added.
What began over a decade ago as a local initiative to promote cycling has evolved into one of the most anticipated annual events in Iloilo City. Managed by the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. (IFFI), it has grown alongside the city’s infrastructure and policy innovations that champion active transport, earning Iloilo the distinction of being the Bike Capital of the Philippines.
Leading the opening ceremony aside from Treñas were key figures in the city’s cycling movement: retired Police Colonel Uldarico Garbanzos, vice chairman of the Iloilo Bike Council who also heads the city’s Traffic and Transportation Management and Public Order and Safety offices; Karmela Jesena, general manager of Festive Walk Mall; and Architect Wilfredo Sy Jr., director of the Iloilo Bike Festival.
Mayor Treñas emphasized in his message that the festival’s expansion into a two-week celebration speaks to the increasing number of cycling groups and enthusiasts in the city.
“Now, after 11 years, we are celebrating in two weeks because of the number of cycling and cycling groups that have emerged. This is how we move forward, one pedal at a time,” he said.
The festival’s launch day featured a variety of events aimed at engaging a wide audience. A Bike Exhibit opened at SM City Iloilo, showcasing innovations in bicycle design, safety gear, and cycling history in the Philippines.
Later in the afternoon, the Push Bike Race took center stage at the Iloilo Business Park terminal, where young riders — some as young as three years old — thrilled onlookers as they raced on balance bikes. The event highlighted how cycling is becoming part of life from an early age in Iloilo.
What to Expect
The 11th Iloilo Bike Festival boasts an impressive lineup of activities scheduled over the coming days, including:
* Bike Exhibit (until June 15 at SM City Iloilo) – showcasing the evolution of cycling and its impact on mobility and sustainability.
* Food Truck/Mobile Cart Festival (every Friday to Sunday or from May 30 to June 1, June 6 to 8, and June 13 to 15 at IBP) – a weekend culinary adventure
* Bike Clinic (May 31 to June 15 at IBP) – promoting bicycle safety, maintenance, and responsible riding
* Grand Fun Ride (June 1 at IBP) – a non-competitive city-wide ride for families and enthusiasts
* Skate and BMX Street Competition (June 1 at IBP) – featuring athletes from across the Visayas
* Battle of the Bands (June 1 at IBP) – merging cycling with music and youth culture
* Cycling Cities Conference (June 2 at Grand Xing Imperial Hotel) – bringing together policy makers, advocates, and urban planners
* I-Bike to Work: From Wheels to Reels Contest (June 3) – a creative competition celebrating stories of commuters on two wheels
* Mega Criterium Race, Tour de Iloilo, and Ambitious Bike Race (June 8 at IBP) and Duathlon (June 14 at SM City Iloilo) – showcasing endurance and technical skill across different terrains and formats
*Awarding and Closing Program (June 14 at SM City Iloilo)
A Movement, Not Just a Festival
As Iloilo continues to lead by example in sustainable mobility, the Iloilo Bike Festival has become more than a celebration — it is now a powerful platform for advocacy, education, and community-building. The city’s bike lanes, parks, and inclusive policies have inspired other local governments across the country to invest in active transport.
With thousands of expected participants and spectators, the festival is poised to further cement Iloilo’s place not only as a bike capital but as a model city for progressive urban living./PN
PEDALS IN MOTION: THE 11TH ILOILO BIKE FESTIVAL ROLLS FORWARD. The 11th Iloilo Bike Festival officially kicked off on May 31, 2025, bringing together cycling enthusiasts, advocates, and city leaders for a dynamic opening. The festival launched with three exciting events, starting with the Kick-Off Program at Park Square, Iloilo Business Park in Megaworld, where the Iloilo Bike Council, Executive Assistant Jay Treñas (representing Iloilo City’s Mayor Jerry Treñas), and Karmela Jesena, general manager of Festive Walk Mall, led the ceremonies. Meanwhile, cycling culture took center stage at SM City Iloilo with the grand opening of the Bike Exhibit, joined by the Bike Council and Kristine Yap, SM Group Marketing Manager for Visayas 3. The momentum continued with the Push Bike Race at the Iloilo Business Park Terminal, energizing participants and spectators alike.
