Some cycling advocates say the rise in bicycle use may be due to rising fuel prices and the implementation of the local public transport route plan

ILOILO City, Philippines – The number of bicycle users in the Western Visayas hub of commerce and governance has increased by 33% in just two weeks, which advocacy groups attribute to rising fuel prices and a new route plan for city public utility vehicles.

Advocacy group volunteers reported 8,628 users traversed Iloilo City’s major roads on June 17, the city’s third Friday bike count, compared to 6,493 counted on the first day of the June 3 bike count.

The Iloilo Folding Bike Riders (iFOLD) and Mobility Awards, a national network, are leading the count to gather data that could guide local transportation policymaking and inclusive mobility infrastructure planning.

Cycling is already popular in this city, which won the Most Bike-Friendly City of 2021 award at the Mobility Awards.

Volunteers noted a higher volume of cyclists along the intersections of Benigno Aquino Sr. Avenue and El 98 Street in Mandurriao District (50%), Molo Plaza (37%), and Avanceña and Quezon Streets (29%) in the Arevalo district between the June 3 and 17 counts, although exact figures were not given.

The intersection between R. Mapa and Oñate de Leon streets in the Mandurriao district had already been reported to have a high traffic volume (659) in the afternoon of June 3 only.

The woes of commuters

Local cycling advocacy page Iloilo Bike Ed for Road Safety noted that the hike came as fuel prices continued to rise and Iloilo City began implementing its transportation route plan. local government (LPTRP).

The latter was rolled out in chaos as commuters had to wait hours for journeys and complain about extra transport costs.

The implementation of the LPTRP, which began on June 12, consolidated old routes and removed provincially based ones.

It was met with confusion and criticism by the constituency public.

The Friday bike count ended on June 24 and the final count will be available soon.

The bike count took place during peak hours – 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Count areas include the intersections of Benigno Aquino Sr. Avenue and General Luna Street in the city proper, Benigno Aquino Sr. Avenue and Lopez Jaena Street in the Jaro neighborhood, E. Lopez Streets and Seminario in Jaro, the fishing port of Baluarte in Molo District, Burgos and Huervana St. in La Paz, and the Muelle Loney Bridge near the Iloilo Provincial Capitol.

The bicycle count is supported by the Iloilo City Government and Department of Public Works and Highways. – Rappler.com