THE ILOILO City government, supported by the private sector, is holding the 6th Iloilo Bike Festival from May 1 to 5 as it strengthens its campaign towards becoming a “bike-friendly city.” Mayor Jose S. Espinosa III, at the festival’s opening held at the Festive Walk Mall of Iloilo Business Park, said their goal is to further promote cycling as part of daily life and not just a weekend activity. He said projects are continuing to encourage the use of bicycles as a regular mode of transport while at the same time campaigning for the practice of road sharing. Two ordinances that ban bicycles in certain portions of Iloilo City, which were passed in 1982 and 1983, are up for repeal by the Sangguniang Panlungsod (city council). “This is a priority of my administration and my government,” Mr. Espinosa said, adding that his “dream” is to see Iloilo become like Amsterdam in The Netherlands, where the number of bicycles are higher than the population. “We will be saving nature at the same time,” he added. Iloilo City Sports Division head Moises Salomon Jr., for his part, stressed the health benefits of biking. He said, “We hope to promote biking because it can really help us maintain a healthy lifestyle.” — Emme Rose S. Santiagudo

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