A survey conducted by the Institute for Labor Studies, the research arm of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) revealed that a majority of workers are in favor of having more bike lanes on paved roads, bike paths, and more secured bike parking.
Respondents said these when asked for their desired improvements in bicycling commuting.
The DOLE said respondents cited the following as reasons on what prevents them from using the bike: they do not feel safe traveling in the road; poor road conditions; and lack of secured bike parking or storage facility and facilities.
Despite these concerns, the labor department said, 78 percent of the total respondents answered that they would still use bicycles in going to work, even if there were other accessible forms of transportation.
According to the respondents, the "significant health benefits of bicycling" is the primary reason for them getting into bicycling, followed by "biking as a mode of transport to get to work amid limited transportation."
A total of 1,119 workers, with majority coming from the National Capital Region (NCR), participated in the study.
Of the total, 813 respondents or 58 percent use their bikes for traveling to and from work for the last six months or since the imposition of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).
ILS Executive Director Ahmma Charisma Lobrin-Satumba presented to DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III the results of the perception survey they conducted on the use of a bicycle as a transport option for Filipino workers.
The research is part of DOLE’s Bike-to-Work Project, which aims to assist workers in this time of pandemic by providing bicycles as a transport option or a livelihood opportunity.