A FUN ride along the major thoroughfares and a bicycle clinic will highlight the first ever celebration of Bicycle Day in Baguio City on June 3.

Councilor Elmer Datuin said seven organizations of bicyclists with members numbering more than a thousand will take the lead in the various activities being lined up for the event.

City tourism office employee and bicycling enthusiast Rhey Delmendo said arrangements are now being made for the conduct of a bicycle fun ride along the major roads within the city’s Central Business District to drum up awareness on the benefits of bicycling as a sport and as a hobby.

A bicycle clinic is also being prepared at the Malcolm Square to feature various activities like maintenance tutorials, marshal training and others.

Datuin said the city will work out the closure of a portion of Session Road and Burnham Park and other roads to accommodate the proposed activities.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan on April 30 approved City Council Resolution No. 116 series of 2018 declaring every third day of June every year as Bicycle Day in the City in support to the World Bicycle Day.

“In acknowledgement of the contribution of cycling to the world’s sustainable development goals, the United National has declared the third day of June as International World Bicycle Day and invites all member states and relevant stakeholders to celebrate and promote awareness of the event,” the resolution notes.

“As a counterpart, the city has to encourage its citizens to use bicycles as a means of transportation. Aside from health benefits derived from cycling, it is eco-friendly as it does not emit smoke and it saves money as it does not use fuel. It will likewise decongest traffic and needs minimal space for parking.” (Aileen Refuerzo)