True to its promise to make Marikina more bicycle-friendly, the city government continues to ramp up its efforts in creating new facilities and amenities aimed at promoting cycling as a healthy and environment-friendly mode of transportation.
(Photos from Inside Marikina)
Facebook page Inside Marikina recently posted photos of the ongoing construction of Marikina's "End of Trip Cycling Facility" that will have amenities and services focused on the welfare of those who are bike-to-work.
"Ang information na nakuha namin is that ito ay magiging bike parking na may shower rooms din para sa mga kailangan mag freshen-up. Example eh galing sa bahay at papasok ng office na naka bike lang, pwedeng dito na maligo at magpalit (The information we have received is that this will be a bike parking with shower rooms for cyclists who need to freshen-up. For example, those who are cycling to work may take a bath here and change their clothes)," Inside Marikina said.
The facility is located at the main parking in front of the City Hall and will also serve as a bike parking for those going to Marikina Sports Center.
During a bike parade culminating the city's 394th Marikina Day celebration on April 14, Marikina City Mayor Marcy Teodoro said the local government is advocating for safe biking in the city, noting that it already had a network of bike lanes since 1996.
“Dine-develop natin ang bike facilities natin dito sa Marikina. At ang isa pa nating i-de-develop ay ‘yung mga shower areas, shower rooms changing areas para doon sa mga nag-bibisikleta lalo na doon sa Bike to Work (We are developing our bike facilities here in Marikina and another thing we will develop are the shower areas, shower rooms changing areas for those who bikers, especially those who are on Bike to Work),” the mayor stated.
“Kung saan gagawin, dito sa ating Engineering Department at dito sa malapit sa Central Parking, (The facilities will be located at the Engineering Department and near the Central Parking)," he added.
Tedoro said he is also planning to build a bike park for Marikina residents.
In October of 2020, Marikina City won Silver in the first Mobility Awards which was launched in September 2020 by the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, MNL Moves, The Climate Reality Project Philippines, and 350 Pilipinas, to help prioritize the needs of the majority of Filipinos who do not have cars.
The winners for this year’s Mobility Awards were assessed by judges from the environment and active mobility sector according to the presence of bike-friendly infrastructure, integration of policies, implementation or the proper use of infrastructure, as well as enforcement of policies.