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Bikes, trains, and fewer cars with LRT’s Bike O2 project
From his New Manila home, bicycle enthusiast Jojo Gutierrez used to ride a jeepney to LRT-2’s Gilmore train station. These days, however, he has been happily pedaling his way to and from any LRT train station to reach his destination for the day. Anyone who has a folding bike can easily follow Gutierrez’s tracks, thanks to the “Bike On, Bike Off" or “Bike O2" project of the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) that was launched last Nov. 8. The project allows passengers to bring foldable bicycles inside the train to cut travel time and lessen carbon emissions from motor vehicles. “We are able to save on transportation costs by using bikes as an alternative to cars," said Gutierrez, who heads the University of the Philippines’ Mountaineers Padyak Project. “The project’s also good for the health because it promotes exercise, and for the environment because it reduces pollution." Under the novel scheme, the last coach of every train has been dubbed as the “green zone" to accommodate folding bike users at no extra cost. [See: Guidelines for Bike O2 project] The LRT has two routes: the LRT-Line 1 (yellow line) that stretches from Baclaran in Parañaque City to Monumento in Caloocan City, and LRT-Line 2 (purple line) that starts from Recto in Manila City and ends at Santolan in Marikina City. Businessman-cyclist Pio Fortuno also waxes enthusiasm about the new opportunity. “If we can convince one person to leave his car and use the bike instead to go the LRT, that’s one less car off the road. It lessens the traffic and we have better air," he said. Fortuno is a member of Padyak as wells as the Firefly Brigade, a group of bicycle enthusiasts. They are now starting to organize the Tiklop Society, which promotes the use of folding bikes to ply Manila’s streets. A former resident of New York City, Fortuno said the Bike 02 project in the Philippines is the realization of a dream. “I used to take the subway in New York, where I first experienced something like this. I once dreamed that this will come true in Manila," he enthuses. While he acknowledges some difficulties, such as having to squeeze in the foldable bikes inside the train during rush hours, Fortuno said the benefits far outweigh them. “So far, everything has been positive. Everything is do-able. You can also prevent the minor inconveniences because the bikes can fit between your legs," Fortuno said. Only four bikes are allowed if the coach is too crowded. To cope with Manila’s chaotic traffic and undisciplined drivers, Gutierrez said the UP Padyak is also thinking of ways to reduce the risks for cyclists as they pedal around the city’s streets. “We have been plotting safe routes for the bikers to avoid vehicles making a mad dash on the streets," he said.
