And it’s started at SM Mall of Asia
With bikes becoming more in-demand and physical distancing dictating social norms, efforts to make the metropolis more biker-friendly are much appreciated.
True enough, it’s important to take advantage of this moment and implement better ways to cater to cyclists. Moving forward, it also has major benefits in improving traffic in Metro Manila and reducing emissions from cars.
SM Supermalls, through SM Cares, is creating bike-friendly infrastructures and facilities to give the growing number of bike commuters and enthusiasts a safe, convenient, and enjoyable experience.
The Bike-Friendly initiative has rolled out at the SM Mall of Asia in September, and across all SM malls nationwide in the upcoming months.
“By transforming our malls into bike-friendly establishments, we hope to support inclusive and safe mobility and promote a culture of cycling,” says SM engineering, design, and development president Hans Sy Jr. who conceptualized the project and now spearheads it. “It is part of a comprehensive plan to make communities where SM malls are located more inclusive, livable, and sustainable.”
The SM Mall of Asia has led the way with bicycle lanes at the MOA Complex, replete with bike-centric street signs.
“We have designed our bike facilities to be enjoyed by all members of the community across all ages and biking abilities, whether it be for utilitarian or recreational purposes,” Sy adds. “SM hopes that this will encourage more people to take up biking as a healthy and environment-friendly mode of transportation.”
Through this initiative, SM will build a connected network of bike lanes on all roads in the MOA Complex stretching up to 18 kilometers, including a bike lane along J.W Diokno Boulevard. Future plans consist of connecting SM’s network of bicycle lanes to major roads in the metro.
Visible bike-centric road signs will also be installed to provide riders and motorists with easy and orderly routing within the complex.
SM’s road signage is based on the National Association of CityTransportation Officials US Standards implemented by member cities such as Boston, Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, DC.
Here’s what cycling enthusiasts can look forward to as SM goes bike-friendly:
Convenient, safe, and accessible bicycle parking
SM will ramp up its bike parking capacity at MOA by 50 percent, with additional bike racks and new street-level bike parking zones steps away from mall entrances.
Bike repair stations will be placed in strategic locations to assist the public for their emergencies
Each repair station is equipped with a bike stand, floor pump, and essential tools that customers can also use for free.
A helmet depository for a worry-free experience
Bikers can simply leave their helmets at no cost at the helmet depository located at Ocean Drive for their trips to the mall.
Bike vendo machines that carry ride essentials
Items include bike tubes, blinkers, bike locks, repair kits, tire patch kits, hand wipes, ponchos, gloves, and multitools. A separate vending machine for hydration and energy snacks will also be available, and a bike kiosk offering a wider range of accessories and gear will be available for sale.
In addition to bike infrastructure, SM will spearhead information sessions on road safety, first aid, basic bike repair, and biker and motorist etiquette in partnership with biking communities.