ENVOYSOFCYCLINGCAPITALS SUPPORTSM’SBIKE-FRIENDLY PROJECT
Cycling advocates and enthusiasts from the government, diplomatic corps and biking organizations recently gathered for the launch of SM Supermalls’ Bike-friendly MOA initiative.
Through SM Cares, SM has created bike-friendly infrastructure and facilities for the growing number of bike commuters and enthusiasts. These include bike lanes, bike-centric road signs, enhanced bike parking, repair stands, a helmet depository and vendo machines carrying bike supplies and refreshments.
SM Engineering, Design and Development president Hans Sy Jr., who conceptualized and spearheads the projects, welcomed guests to the launch, which included a ceremonial ride around the MOA Complex’s new bike lanes and a tour of the facilities.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles praised the stretch of bike lanes in the Complex, which spans 18 kilometers. Nograles is a cycling enthusiast and coauthor of House Bill No. 174, or the 2016 Bicycle Law, which seeks to create bicycle lanes and bikeways on all main roads and highways and a local bikeways office in cities and municipalities.
Ambassadors from the world’s cycling capitals, Ambassador Grete Sillasen of
Denmark and Ambassador Saskia de Lang of the Netherlands, also came to support the launch. Biking is a way of life for the Danes and the Dutch. For them, it’s a healthy and environment-friendly means of transportation and both envoys highlighted the importance of embracing a cycling culture.
It is “sustainable, healthy, smart, and fun,” Sillasen said. “There are many factors that can improve the biking culture, and private initiative is one.”
De Lang said, “Supporting a cycling culture is important because it contributes to a healthy life.”
Biking advocacy groups also expressed their support for SM’S initiative. Jack Yabut, trustee of the Firefly Brigade, the country’s pioneering cycling advocacy group, said that the facilities are “really very timely and set a good example.”
Aldrin Pelicano, urban planner and founder of MNL Moves, added, “What we’ve seen so far, how SM designed and built the bike lanes, demonstrates that they did their homework.”
Keisha Mayuga, founder of Life Cycles PH, said, “It’s a really great start as it’s something the biking community has been asking for. We hope to see more of that in other malls in other cities.”
Sy was happy at the support. “Like any SM project, there will be improvements, and that’s the promise to the public,” he said.