HOLISTIC WELLBEING The author takes her bike on a reinvigorating trail ride through nature (Ritche Amansec)

By ALEX AMANSEC

In our modern cities, which are built for the most part to accommodate a flood of buses, trucks, jeeps, and cars, it seems that the power of the bicycle as a mode of transportation has not been given enough attention. But since the advent of the Coronavirus pandemic, there’s been a boom in the usage of bicycles in multiple cities across the country, and a lot of citizens are returning to the bike for more than just recreation. Optimistic movements and projects immediately took swing following the statistics. This isn’t the first time, however, that this two-wheeled, human-propelled technology caused a major disruption. There’s much dispute among historians as to when the bicycle was first invented, but the most indisputable one is the invention of the draisienne in 1817. Made completely of wood and directly translated in English as “dandy-horse,” the machine was built by German inventor Karl von Drais, who also rode it for 14 kilometers. Draisienne bicycle
But it wasn’t until the “safety bicycle” came along in the 1890s that the machine became more in-demand. It featured two equal-sized wheels, gears, and a chain driver that made cycling more comfortable and safer, making it more accessible to a wider range of individuals. Stepping away from the era of horses and carriages, the working class became mobile with this affordable mode of transportation and could travel longer distances using just their two legs. The bicycle also challenged the norms in a step toward gender equality by emancipating women from heavy Victorian skirts and traditional garments as they embraced more practical and liberating clothing choices. Bicycles show a lot of promise for the environment, too. During the pandemic lockdowns in 2020, greenhouse gas emissions worldwide plunged by 4.6 percent. While this sudden drop was all but a blip (as emissions soared to new records when the lockdowns began to ease), the shift can surely be attributed to the decreased use of motorized transport and an increased use of bicycles. This is because buses and cars emit 181 and 251 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer respectively. Bicycles? Travel for as long as you’d like and you’ll emit zero grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer. It’s as clean as it gets. What’s more, if more people began to use and prioritize bicycles as a mode of transport in our cities, less traffic and less noise pollution would also be guaranteed. The benefits of this will also echo in the wellbeing of the individual. Navigating through a clean, decongested, and peaceful city is any average pedestrian’s dream. Since bicycles are human-powered machines, you can also get a good, regular workout out of the aerobic activity that increases your strength and stamina. The heart, blood vessels, and lungs also get pumping, and this can positively contribute to your fitness level—not just physically, but also mentally with a decrease in stress levels and an increase in time and money. For recreation, you can also take your bike to off-road biking trails. Cycling through the trees and feeling the cool, fresh breeze to holistically espouse the freedom that comes with the bicycle will do wonders for your mind and body. BIKE LANE OBSTRUCTION The Bayanihan II Bike Lanes along Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City are often invaded by bigger motorized vehicles
The future holds some promise for Filipino cyclists if we spread the word and influence. In 2021, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) opened the Bayanihan II Bike Lanes, a 313-kilometer web of routes that make the navigation of Metro Manila safer and more accessible for bicycles. This is a big step forward, but, as of today, it’s clear that many people still fail to recognize, let alone respect, the exclusivity of these bike lanes. Along Katipunan Avenue and C-5 in Quezon City, for example, the faded white and green pavement markings are frequently overlooked by drivers who leave their cars or trucks parked in a way that invades the already-narrow space, obstructing the path to cyclists and pedestrians alike. Even with its simple design, we need to recognize how the bicycle holds so much power. In our goal to propel ourselves toward a sustainable and healthy future,

this is our sign to hop on a bike and let the journey begin.