ILOILO CITY – This city has bagged its third gold medal in the Mobility Awards for its programs in integrating bicycles as a mode of transportation.
BIKERS participate in a fun ride during the National Bike Day celebration in Iloilo City on Saturday, November 25. (Mark Balmores)
“This recognition is a great pride for Iloilo City and its people. This is an inspiration for us to strengthen our commitment to promoting bike culture in our community,” said Mayor Jerry P. Treñas in a statement.
The Mobility Awards is organized by the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), MNL Moves, Climate Reality Project-Philippines, 350.Org Pilipinas, and Pinay Bike Commuter to improve conditions for Filipinos who use bicycles as their mode of transport.
This city’s latest achievement coincided with the National Bike Day celebration on Saturday, November 25.
“We have the prestige of hosting this event because it will be hosted outside of Metro Manila for the first time,” said Architect Wilfredo Sy Jr., director of this year’s event.
“Apart from hosting the National Bike Awards, Iloilo City will also serve as judge for other cities. This shows that in terms of infrastructure advocacy and bike-related programs, we are a bit ahead of the rest of the country,” added Sy.
People here have long used bikes to commute daily and the alternative transportation was strengthened by the national government-funded construction of bike lanes and several private-led initiatives beginning with the Iloilo Bike Festival in 2014.
Aside from being a three-time Mobility Awards winner, Iloilo City also won several awards for its bike programs, including the 2022 Galing Pook, the 2021 Bike Lane Awards, and the Most Bike-Friendly City by the PhilBike Awards in 2018.