Biking Lanes

How about biking lanes in Davao City?

That's the idea behind the Cycle For Life initiative by MISSION. Aimed at increasing awareness for a more sustainable lifestyle among the citizens of Davao City, it also strives to promote the development of biking lanes in the city's major thoroughfares.

Why biking lanes, you might ask? That's because we are getting there anyway. The transportation system that we have right now is not sustainable in the long run. There's the issue of oil price instability which will only worsen as supply dwindles. Then, there's the huge dilemma of how to fit millions of vehicles in Davao City's already congested streets. In addition, there is the ongoing fight to lessen vehicle emissions and reduce pollution. 

For the rest of us, deciding to traverse the city through bicycles is one of the better options for transportation. Promoting the use of bicycles not only addresses the congestion problem, the obesity problem, the pollution problem, or even our increasing dependence on oil. It also sends a clear image of what this city stands for in terms of priorities; promoting the humble bicycle is our statement that we, Dabawenyos, value sustainable living above all else.

Hence, designating bicycle lanes is the next step in the process. Through bicycle lanes, riders are more protected against vehicles and, with this incentive, more people will be compelled to ride in two wheels.

I don't really know the status of the ordinance seeking the creation of bicycle lanes in Davao City. But for now, bicycle lanes remain a vision, a fantasy, in the city. But if it can help make the vision clearer, here's a New York post about a citizen who has made this vision a reality. 

If she can do it, why not us?