THE call to adopt bicycles as the safest mode of transportation to combat Covid-19 earned another reputable ally from the House of Representatives as six more sports were added to the growing list of activities that would be allowed during quarantine.
Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero (1-Pacman Party-list) on Sunday called on national and local executives to upgrade road infrastructure and install safety measures if they are to promote a “cycling to work” campaign in the new normal.
And as Romero made his call, the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases permitted golf, swimming, tennis, badminton, equestrian and skateboarding during the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).
The IATF earlier allowed walking, jogging, running and biking upon the imposition of MECQ last May 16.
Given the financial implications of the coronavirus pandemic and the practice of physical distancing, Romero, a former national cycling federation president, urged commuters to use bicycles in going to work or school because it is faster, cheaper and invigorating.
“The surest and practical way to reach your destination now is to renew our love affair with our bikes,” said Romero as he backed the call of the country’s cycling heavyweights to make bicycle a vital mode of transportation.
Last week, Le Tour de Filipinas’s Bert Lina of the Lina Group of Cos. and Ronda Pilipinas’ Moe Chulani of LBC stressed the need to use bicycle as a mode of transportation after the deadly Covid-19 disease put almost everything on hold.
Although there are already existing lanes is some areas, Romero said bike users should be protected from speeding cars, buses and trucks by putting up protective barriers.
“It’s scary to see a speeding car or a 10-wheeler truck run over a biker. That could be tragic,” said the national polo player who is the majority owner of AirAsia Philippines.
“If we have to embrace bicycle as an important mode of transportation then we need to upgrade our road infrastructure,” added Romero, who noted that bikes are now selling like hotcakes. “At least there will be barriers.”
“Since bicycling is a good exercise and very affordable, we need good protective road facilities not just ordinary line of paint so that everybody, even the students, would be safe,” he said.
Romero, however, warned would-be bike users to undergo medical checkup first before buying bikes to avoid the tragic accident that befell a biker along Edsa on Friday.
“If you are not fit enough, use other means of transportation,” said Romero. “Walking infrastructure should be likewise be upgraded.”
Under the Resolution No. 38 that was approved last Friday, the IATF permitted walking, jogging, running and biking, “provided that the minimum public health standards such as the wearing of the masks and the maintenance of social distancing protocols, and no sharing of equipment where applicable are observed.”
Ian Mendez, who coached the national women’s team in the 2020 Badminton Asia Team Championships at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum last February, said this is a welcoming development for the athletes who are stuck in their homes.
“This is a huge help for us. I’m glad they included badminton,” Mendez said.
Mendez, however, stressed the need for protocols for badminton which is generally played in indoor courts.
“We will wait for the confirmation, but, still, we will follow the guidelines, like the physical distancing and wearing of masks,” added Mendez, who is closely monitoring the state of fitness of the national athletes through online platforms.