By Carla Dena
With limited public transportation under general community quarantine (GCQ), many are now making the shift to bike commute to get to work. But what if you don't know how to ride a bike?
Alex Bodoso, a 35-year-old messenger, didn't let his lack of cycling skills get in the way of earning a living.
(Contributed photo)
Every morning, he rides a bike with kids' training wheels to get from his residence in Tondo to his work in Makati.
"Hindi kasi ako marunong sa dalawang gulong eh, kaya may pang-balance po. (I don't know how to ride a bike so there are trainers for balance)," Bodoso told Manila Bulletin.
Before he decided to get a bike, Bodoso walked from Tondo to Makati and back. It took him four hours, one way.
With a bike, it now takes him between two to three hours to get to work in the morning and the same amount of time to get home in the evening.
"Kung hindi ko po kasi pipiliting mag-bike, hindi po ako makakapasok sa trabaho (If I don't try to ride a bike, I can't go to work)," he said.
Bodoso, who lives alone but sends money to his parents in the province whenever he has some to spare, chooses practicality over vanity.
"Marami rin pong tumitingin, nagtatanong po. Sinasabi ko lang po sa kanila, hindi ako marunong mag-bike (Many people look at me and ask questions. I just tell them that I don't know how to cycle)."
The photo of Bodoso riding a bike with training wheels has gone viral on social media, earning him words of support and admiration. A netizen even offered to give him a helmet and other accessories he can use for his daily commute.
"Nagpapasalamat po ako, nagiging proud na rin po," Bodoso said.