That’s one of the main problems bike commuters in the Philippines have. Ours being a third world country it’s no surprise our streets are suddenly being populated by bike commuters from all walks of life – from people who only have a beat up and wiggling bike as their main and only form of transportation to those who are members of 2-car (at least) families.

Bike parking is a problem as only bike shops, and, lately, a bike rider-conscious owner of a gas station are the only ones I am aware of that provide semi-safe bike parking. Sure, there may be other establishments but my point is they may only comprise of 1%, give or take. Not included government institutions who I think should set a good example. But then, when did the Philippine government ever be a good example overall?

That’s why I admire the Firefly Brigade’s initiative of talking to local governments and malls and convincing them of providing simple and cost-effective bike racks for public bike parking. I don’t remember where I read it but I’m pretty sure I landed on the page while reading about this project by the Firefly Brigade, if I remember correctly it’s their recommendations on public bike rack designs.

Main point being the structure should support the whole bike (mainly, the frame, unlike Nuvali’s bike parking) plus the structure should enable the biker to secure the bike’s frame and both tires using 1 long bike lock. It should also be sturdy and secure enough that it won’t be easy to lift the whole structure off the ground, along with the bike(s), and load it onto a small truck or closed van. That scenario is possible!

With some simple Googling I found some examples and options of what public bike park structures should look like.

Fine, I’ll stop ranting now.

Anyway, why am I concerned with this bike parking problem? Simple things, really, but I have also learned it has a great impact on a lot of important points, like my health, the environment, convenience, etc.

Simple errands which would be too far to walk to, too near to bring a car (and the perpetual traffic on the main road due to the stupid strategy our local municipality’s traffic enforcers employ; no other way but to pass here), too impractical to ride the public transportation… and, of course, the chance to put in some saddle time.

Not only that. The Alabang Town Center is just a 14-km ride from home. If I need to go there for some reason or other what stops me, as with the case when I need to do those simple errands I mentioned before, is the complete lack of secure bike parking.

My eldest son can also benefit from school bike racks. A few months ago he already asked me if he can just bike to school. Sure, I’m all for this idea, especially the school is fairly close to home and there’s a safer route he can take without having to pass through the main road I mentioned above. This would lessen the monthly expenses for my kids’ school service, it will help him develop his stamina and endurance, help him get comfortable on a bike — part-training for when we go to the trails, since late last summer I’ve already starting bringing him on some of the shorter and easier rides. What made me decide not to let him bike to school is the lack of safe school bike racks; unlike in Japan as shown in The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift.

Supporting and encouraging the use of bicycles for simple reasons like the examples I just shared would go a long way in easing the infamous Philippine traffic, promote a healthy and clean lifestyle, and gently push us into doing our part to save Mother Earth. Simple solutions, significant impact.