The biggest bike event in Western Visayas ended with the launching of the hashtag #BikeKaNaman as part of the campaign.
“This showcases how the city has become an advanced metropolis. Through our bike lanes, we hope to provide a safe, scenic, and sustainable road network for our people and visitors,” said Mayor Jerry Treñas in a video message.
The mayor is referring to the Iloilo City Network, an 11-kilometer bike network in four districts that includes the four-kilometer protected bike lane on Diversion Road.
The bike network began as part of the road-widening project pushed by former Ilonggo Sen. Franklin Drilon during the Aquino administration.
Over the years, the city has been recognized as bike-friendly for its infrastructure and programs. It recently won the gold medal in the 2021 Mobility Awards as it bested 29 other cities around the country.
The city’s bid is backed by the Department of Tourism (DOT), specifically attached agency Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) and its Western Visayas regional office.
“This promotes wellness, sustainability, inclusiveness, and road safety. It will bring more investments and inspire more destinations,” added DOT-6 Director Cristine Mansinares.
The three-day bike festival saw the return of physical activities after a two-year hiatus due to Covid-19 pandemic.
The highlight of this year’s edition is the 200-kilometer Tour of Iloilo Double Century Ride. It marked the first time that the bike festival went beyond the borders of Iloilo City and into Iloilo. Participants passed the 12 towns and component city of Passi before going back to Iloilo City.
Other events include the mountain bike race, the kiddie race, and the tour ride to key tourist spots in the city.
Majority of the events were at the Iloilo Business Park, the 72-hectare township of Megaworld Corp. that has hosted the annual bike event since it began in 2014.
This year’s bike festival was organized by the Iloilo Festival Foundation Inc., the MICE Center of the Iloilo City government, and Megaworld.