By Mariela Angella Oladive
Dubbed the Bike Capital of the Philippines, Iloilo City officially welcomed cycling enthusiasts with the opening of its 10th Bike Festival on Saturday, July 20, at Iloilo Business Park in the Mandurriao district.
Themed “Cycle for Change: Celebrating 10 Years of Cycling Culture,” the celebration features 26 different activities spread over nine days.
In his message, Arch. Wilfredo Sy Jr., director of the Iloilo Bike Festival 2024, highlighted the city’s cycling journey toward becoming a more inclusive and green community.
“From the humble beginnings of weekly rides and weekend events, we have blossomed despite the challenges. We may not be the first cycling city, but we are one of the most creative, collaborative, and consistent,” Sy stated.
Executive Assistant Jay Treñas, speaking on behalf of City Mayor Jerry Treñas, emphasized the transformative impact of cycling on the metropolis.
“With the Iloilo Bike Festival, we created a bigger community and listened to our cyclists. We are proud of our protected Bike Lane Network, now covering 11 kilometers, with plans to extend this further,” he said.
Treñas also expressed excitement over the city’s continued leadership in promoting bike culture nationwide, advocating cycling as a healthy and active lifestyle.
“Our united efforts are steering Iloilo City towards a more sustainable future. Let us pedal forward together for a more bicycle-friendly country, and together, move towards gearing Iloilo City to the next level,” he added.
Also present at the event were Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI) chairperson Rito Carlos ‘Judgee’ Peña, Festive Walk Mall General Manager Karmela Jesena, and representatives from the city’s Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions (MICE) Center, Lea Lara and Leny Ledesma, as well as Sangguniang Kabataan Federation Chair Jelma Crystel Implica.
This year’s activities include Cycle for Change, Ambitious Bike Race, Kiddie Race, Gears and Beers Bikers Tambayan, Bike Food Crawl, Pedal Projection, Tour De Iloilo, Bisik-litera-Tour, Pedal Party: Bikers Fellowship Night, Cyclopedia, Bilang Siklista: Manual Bicycle Count, Car Free Day, Cineskilista, Spin Tutors: Bike Clinic, Double Century Ride, Hot Wheels Bike Expo, Bike Buddies Meet and Greet, Shift Happens Mobility Forum, Spokespersons: Recognition Night, Mega Criterium Race, Puni Bisikleta, Porma Siklista, Pedal Power Grand Fun Ride, Bikes and Music Xperience (BMX), Push Bike Race, Guinness World Record Attempt for Human Bike Formation, and Bike to the Future.
Iloilo City received the Galing Pook Award in 2022 for its “I-BIKE” Program and is a two-time Gold Awardee for the Mobility Awards and the Bike Lane Award. The city also hosted the National Bike Day Awards in 2023, further cementing its status as a leading cycling destination in the Philippines.
