A biking community in Lawton, Manila received free riding helmets and high-visibility reflective strips from the city government and two non-profit organizations (NGOs).
The Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) and the Batch 8 Brotherhood and Lions Club of the Philippines distributed the free gear to the bikers Thursday (July 9).
MDRRMO Director Arnel Angeles said the distribution of gear is important as more people are turning to biking amid the suspension of some modes of public transport amid the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
"When the pandemic hit and public transport was debilitated to a standstill, the only practical solution to get around was with a bicycle," he said.
"There were nights that I would go home from City Hall seeing frontliners in scrubs pedalling their way home. Being in their shoes, I empathize with the need for better biker awareness in the streets of Manila," he added.
Earlier, Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso announced that they are mulling the creation of a bike lane along major thoroughfares in the Philippine capital.
"We hope that in our little way, we are able to make a positive impact on our biking community to let them know that we care for them and the city is doing its best to make our street safer for everyone," Angeles said.