BY NYARIKA DOMANAIS
ILOILO City – The Iloilo Business Park, in collaboration with the Iloilo City Government, is hosting the 10th annual Iloilo Bike Festival under the theme “Cycle for Change”.
The festival promises a diverse lineup of activities catering to cycling enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels.
Iloilo is known as the “Bike Capital of the Philippines”. The city government has seen not only the importance of biking as a hobby or sport but as an environment-friendly and budget-friendly way of getting around.
This city is also a two-time Gold Awardee for both the Mobility Awards and Bike Lane Awards.
This year’s festivities include “Spin Tutor: Bike Clinic” offering participants basic tutorials on bicycle riding, repair, and maintenance on June 30 at Park Square.
This will be followed by the “Double Century Ride” on July 20, a 200-kilometer non-competitive, time-limited event that will take cyclists on a scenic route around Iloilo Province.
On the same day, the festival will officially open at 7 a.m. at Festive Walk Mall with a program that includes showcasing events and recognizing competition winners. This will be complemented by a fun bike race for kids called “Kiddie Race” at Park Square, and the “AMBItious Bike Race”, a cultural tour through Iloilo starting at 8 a.m.
Additional highlights include “Cyclopedia: Bike Exhibit” at 10 a.m. in Festive Walk Mall, where various bicycle types will be displayed and described.
The day will continue with “Gears and Bears: Bikers Tambayan” at Iloilo Business Park, which provides a space for bike clubs and organizations to display their gear, recruit members, and share their cycling interests and advocacy.
The evening will conclude with the “Pedal Party: Bikers Fellowship Night” where bike groups will elect the president of the League of Iloilo Cycling Organizations.
Other notable events include the “Bike Food Crawl” and “Pedal Projection”, a curated food tour on bicycles, both at Park Square.
The festival will also feature “Bisik-Litera-Tour” on July 21, blending cycling and literature to promote Iloilo’s literary heritage and a healthy lifestyle.
The “Hot Wheels Bike Expo” from July 25 to 28 at the Iloilo Convention Center will showcase the latest in bicycle equipment and apparel. This will be followed by “Bike Buddies Meet and Greet”, “Shift Happens: A Mobility Forum”, and “Spokesperson: Recognition Night” on July 26 at Festive Walk Mall.
The festival will attempt to set a Guinness World Record on July 27 with “Pedal Pride”, aiming to form the largest human image of a bicycle with 5,000 participants.
The same day will see the “Mega Criterium Race” and “Puni Bisikleta, Porma Siklista”, emphasizing the interconnection of cycling, art, and environmental awareness.
Concluding on July 28, the festival will host the “Push Bike Race” for toddlers and a closing program at 5 p.m. to recognize the winners and celebrate the success of this landmark 10th festival./PN
