WITH more people paying attention to their health these days and biking and walking among the options left for those who are still working, are we going to see a lot of fitter citizens in the next few months?
Well, if that happens, I guess that’s the silver lining in the dark cloud that is all hovering over us.
It’s hard to see the positive, sometimes, but I guess we have to. Life goes on. We must go on.
After getting stuck at home for the past two months, I know not a few of us have gained weight and since walking and jogging are some of the activities allowed, provided social distancing is observed, perhaps there might be a rush for the track oval once the quarantine is lifted.
Back when I was writing for the Freeman, I used to walk to and from the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) back to the office in Manalili St. It’s not that far, I know, but it was doable then because the sidewalks weren’t that crowded and it wasn’t as blazing hot two decades ago. Right now, walking a few hundred meters in the summer heat is a health risk.
But post-quarantine, with the passenger capacity in public transportation reduced, walking while protecting ourselves from the heat of the sun is going to be normal for most of us.
Other cities are experimenting with bike lanes and I hope to see that in Cebu, but I don’t see it happening now since our roads are really very narrow. Just look at General Maxilom, I can’t imagine how’d they put a bike lane there or the horrendous Ban-Tal corridor.
But perhaps, Cebu City officials can pull a rabbit out of their hats and make that happen.
And perhaps, despite the economic slump, we’d see a spike in bike-related sales or those that have something to do with walking like shoes, jogging pants and of course, umbrellas.
With more people biking and walking, will we also see a surge in participants in biking events and fun runs should they be allowed a year from now? I hope so. Each new participant will have quite a story to tell and a journey to look back to in the months leading to his or her joining the event.
A story of survival.
That’s something to look forward to, isn’t it?