Update as of June 2021: Iloilo Digital Bike Tour 2021 on June 06: Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas, in a social media post, announced that the City of Love will have its first-ever Iloilo Digital Bike Tour on June 06. Mayor Treñas stressed that biking promotes camaraderie among the Ilonggos, thus the need to promote the activity.
“Biking promotes camaraderie. Biking does not help in promoting a healthy lifestyle but also develops strong friendships. In Iloilo City, many have shifted to biking as an option for mobility naming us at the Most Bike-Friendly City in the PhilBike Awards,” begins Treñas.
It may be recalled that Iloilo City was hailed ‘most bike-friendly city’ by the PhilBike Awards during the 2018 PhilBike Expo held at the World Trade Center Manila. The award was accepted by Wilfredo Sy Jr., Director of the Iloilo Bike Festival for this year and one of the prime movers of the Iloilo biking community. Read more: Iloilo City is the Most Bike Friendly City in the country, an article by Panay News.
“Join us on June 06 as we pedal around the city in the first ever 2021 Iloilo Digital Bike Tour,”he adds. An article by IBS Digital enumerates reasons why Iloilo City is the Biking Capital of the Philippines.
Protected Bike Lanes. Iloilo City has own protected bike lanes, referring to the 11-kilometre bike lane that stretches from Diversion Road to select city roads – within, a 4-kilometer protected lane in Aquino Avenue, designed by landscape architect Paulo Alcazaren.
International Commendations. Iloilo City has been lauded by Dutch Ambassador H.E. Saskia Elisabeth De Langsaw during her visit to the metro. She mentions that the city has the potential to become the ‘biking haven of the Philippines’, provided that proper urban biking infrastructures and support from the local government is consistent. Read more: 4 Reasons Why Iloilo City is the Bike Capital of the Philippines, an article by IBS Digital. https://www.ibsdigital.net/iloilo-bike-capital-philippines
Update on Iloilo Bike Fest as of March 21, 2021: Here is an announcement made by Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas regarding the upcoming Iloilo Bike Fest amid recent rise of COVID-19 cases in the metro:
“We have scheduled the Bike Fest on April 9 to 11, 2021. We are, however, watching the situation and the numbers. We will make the decision on whether to go on with it by next week. Please observe minimum health protocols. Be safe my beloved Ilonggos! If cases continue to go up, I will request the governors and Mayor Bing and discuss other options necessary for us as a region.”
Hailed as the ‘Bike Capital of the Philippines’, Iloilo City is set to celebrate the ‘Iloilo Bike Festival’ on April 09 to 11 with the theme ‘Pedal to the New Normal’. The three-day celebration is packed with bike-related activities and its highlighted ‘Grand Fun Ride’.
Iloilo Bike Festival
In a social media post, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas reveals that around 5,000 bikers from all over Panay will “unite and celebrate an eco-friendly habit towards wellness.”
“Biking has been the Ilonggos’ alternative mode of transportation as well as healthy leisure. Many have been enjoying the colorful sceneries along our bike lanes through our beautification projects. It is time to move forward! Just like our bikers, let us pedal towards our desired destination and keep moving forward. Padayon ang aton pagsulong para sa ciudad kag sa aton mga pumuluyo!” – Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas on his social media post.
The Grand Fun Bike Ride will be joined by Department of Tourism – Philippines Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, Governors of Iloilo and Guimaras, and Metro Iloilo Guimaras Economic Development Council (MIGEDC)Mayors of Pavia, Sta. Barbara, Cabuatuan, San Miguel, Leganes, and Oton.
Iloilo Bike Festival Schedule
April 09 Grand Fun Day
- 10-km Grand Fun Ride
- Food Fair
- Industrial Exhibit and Exposition
- ‘Porma Bisikleta’ Contest
- Bike Symposium
April 10 Bicycle Tour
- Bicycle Tour on Murals and Museums, Tourist Destinations
- Artwork Exhibit at ILOMOCA
April 11 Family Fun Day
Women’s Bicycle Festival
SM City Iloilo, in partnership with the Iloilo City Government, Zonta Club of Iloilo City II, Sikad ta Iloilo, and Hubon Manunulat, spearheads the ‘Women’s Bicycle Festival’ celebration from March 15 to 27. Events include ‘Women Bicycle Fair’, a week long bicycle expo on the L/GF Main Mall (in front of Adidas); Ride for a Better Tomorrow, a fun ride for a cause organized by the Zonta Club of Iloilo on March 21 at the SM Mall Facade; ‘Basta Ilongga, Siklista’, a fun ride for all female cyclists to promote safe biking for commute, leisure, and exercise on March 27, at SM Southpoint; ‘Ilongga Bike Diaries Book Launching’, anthology of essays written by Ilonggo women on their triumphs, challenges, and joys in biking in Iloilo; and Biker’s Lane, SM City’s bike-friendly amenities free for use.
- Women Bicycle Fair
- Ride for a Better Tomorrow
- Basta Ilongga, Siklista
- Ilongga Bike Diaries Book Launching
“Basta Ilongga, Siklista!”
The “Basta Ilongga, Siklista!” is an initiative by SM City Iloilo, Sikad ta Iloilo, and Hubon Manunulat and will highlight a 10km bike fun celebrating women’s month. The “free camaraderie ride” will be on March 27 (meetup: 5am; ride-out: 6am) at SM Southpoint. Ride route includes: SM Southpoint to Boardwalk, General Luna (University of the Philippines) to Gen. MIWD, Esplanade 06 to Esplanade 04, Iloilo City Bike Lane (Toyota) to Iloilo Bike Lane (TimeSquare), Donato Pison Ave. (Rotonda) and back to SM Southpoint.
