There are situations in life when the most complicated matter can be addressed with the simplest of solutions. This is, perhaps, the same mindset when it comes to addressing the dire effects of climate change — find a simple solution first, which could easily be followed by everyone and implemented without risks.
What’s a simple and basic solution to combat climate change? Bicycles. Yes, a bicycle is now a “tool to protect the environment,” with a United Nations (UN) resolution backing it up. Early this week, the 193-member UN General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution proposed by Turkmenistan, which calls on member states to “integrate the bicycle into public transportation, in urban and rural settings.”
Even at the start of the pandemic, the UN has called on nations to look into bicycles as “driver of post-Covid-19 green recovery.” In a statement, the UN said, “During the lockdown, city dwellers enjoyed clear blue skies thanks to cleaner air and began to hear birds sing as noise decreased. Pollution levels in Barcelona dropped by an estimated 62 percent, and similar situations have been observed in other big European cities such as Milan, London, and Paris. Public transport usage has fallen significantly as an increasing number of people choose to walk or ride bicycles to avoid crowded mass transits and follow health authorities’ advice for physical distancing. To respond to these trends, Milan, Geneva, Brussels, and London have decided to invest in flexible bike lanes.”
This is also the same circumstance in our country as major cities in the National Capital Region and the provinces have started to look into bike lanes not only as a path for bikers going to work but also as an alternative from the usual gas-guzzling vehicles (which now becomes more impractical to use with the exorbitant gas prices). In fact, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) inaugurated last July 2021 the Metro Manila Bike Lane Network, the country’s longest lane of its kind to date.
The 313-kilometer bike lane network traverses through 12 cities in NCR, including Quezon City, Manila, San Juan, Pasay, Pasig, etc. The lanes measure between 1.5 to three meters in width depending on the road’s configuration. This project was dubbed a “game-changer” at that time, with the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) highlighting that the bike lane will “change everything, even the mindset of commuters” who will now notice that it would be more practical—healthier even—to take the bike to and from work because there is already a safe space for them on the road.
With this news comes critics who say that the UN bicycle resolution may belittle the tremendous efforts done by organizations and individuals to save the environment from further degradation. But this is not a time for disagreements as the fight for climate needs all hands on deck. Every little effort to address climate concerns at this moment of volatility in the world’s affairs is welcome. And having all UN member states agree on something for the planet's sake is already a victory in itself.
The UN resolution concluded that the promotion of bike-riding will help “achieve sustainable development, including the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.” May these goals be achieved in our country at the soonest time, and may all of us find our healthy path — biking our way to our body’s fitness and to the planet’s wellness.