TRANSPORTATION has become a problem these days amid the global pandemic. The workers in particular, who would want to report to their workplaces, are helpless due to the suspension of the operations of public transportation. There is no problem for those who have their private cars as they can manage to drive their way to their work stations.
Those who rely on tricycles, jeepneys, trains and buses for their travel to their work are the ones badly affected by the community quarantines in the country. When the lockdown was in effect, many workers in Metro Manila were stranded and cannot go home in their respective provinces or adjacent cities. Some had to walk several kilometers to beat the setting up of checkpoints and arrived at their abodes.
The lockdown, whether we believe it or not, have been eased out. Despite the prevailing community quarantine, authorities have been a bit relaxed as compared to during the initial phase of the lockdown. By the end of the month, we expect another announcement from the President of the republic himself on his decision whether to lift, modify or continue with the status of the prevailing quarantine mode.
A lot of people are hoping that the lockdown order be set aside so that they can finally return to their work and earn for their living despite the prevalence of the Covid-19 and the risk of being infected.
This early, I have seen a number of workers who report to their work in their bicycles. As a matter of fact, the government is mulling on promoting the use of bicycles for people who need to report to their work within distance easy to reach through pedaling. It is far better than walking for one who has to exert much effort and time using only their feet.
The Metro Manila Development Authority is currently conducting a study on the use of bicycles in the capital region which will greatly help in the social distancing measure in our fight against the Covid-19. It shall also be a good alternative mode of transportation especially these days when we cannot yet have the access to public utility vehicles.
The use of bicycles can also help reduce pollution in the country. During this quarantine period, many parts of Metro Manila breathed clean air due to the limited number of vehicles using roads. There are a number of photos which were uploaded by netizens in social networking sites showing the clear skyline, far different from the previously air-polluted metro.
Bicycling is a good cardio-vascular exercise and helps promote good health and improved immune system. In this time of the pandemic, health is much important than anything else. People who bike regularly have the health advantage over those who drive their cars.
The sight of people riding bicycles to work during the quarantine has aroused awareness for various cycling groups and enthusiasts to push for the inclusion of the bicycle in the government’s planning for the post-pandemic “new normal”. The government in its campaign for social distancing should likewise promote and support bicycling as a “new normal” way of transportation.
Further, it should also protect bikers from road accidents through the construction of bicycle lanes or improve thoroughfares that may be dedicated to the two-wheeled ride. It may also grant tax incentives to manufacturers and dealers of bicycles so the latter’s prices may be lowered to more affordable prices that even ordinary workers may be encouraged to buy and use bicycles in their daily travel from their homes to their workplaces and vice versa. These matters have long been called and advocated by bicycle enthusiasts and this time the government should listen.
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