"We, women bikers and commuters, do not feel safe in streets and in online spaces." 

A group is lobbying for safe cycling spaces for women after a recent viral post showed a photo of bikers, coincidentally captured on camera looking at a woman simply passing by, was full of disrespectful memes and comments on the woman's body.

In a statement dated March 20, Safe Space Pinay said comments on the post "raised concerns on how people defend and tolerate the culture of objectifying women."

"These kinds of behavior are reflected offline, and are not helping our fears of being harassed, sexualized, and assaulted in the streets. Our bodies and what we wear are not, and will never be, consent for disrespect," the statement read.

"Since the ECQ (enhanced community quarantine) started, more people, especially women, have gone out of their comfort zones as a necessity to survive. This situation left the majority of us with no choice but to bike long distances alongside aggressive motorists that are owning the roads and designated bike lanes. Bikers are faced with road hazards and there are not enough provisions and well-planned active transport infrastructures making us always vulnerable to accidents," it furthered.

Women's deal with everyday road struggles while also encountering sexual predators and perpetrators of abuse "worsens" their overall travel experience, the group underscored.

Safe Space Pinay called on the government to fully implement the Safe Spaces Act (RA 11313) and urged the Philippine Commission in Women to publicly disclose which local government units (LGUs) have not yet adopted a counterpart ordinance.

It also asked the House of Representatives and the Senate to fast-track the enactment into law of the Commuter Rights Bill and the Philippine Bicycle Act this year and likewise called on public institutions to protect cyclists from harassments, including catcalling, unwanted sexual remarks, and misogynistic comments.

"We encourage everyone to take action and show utmost respect and support to every commuter encountered -- may they be a child, woman, man, member of the LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning), or a person with a disability to cultivate safer communities," the group said.

"Cycling communities and other private stakeholders must step up and aim for solidarity in creating, maintaining, and promoting safe spaces, together with educating each other about a culture of respect."