Respect for Bikers

Most of low income earner here in the Philippines, like those who are working in a factory or construction, rides a bike when going to work, to save money on transportation cost. They also use bicycle for their livelihood by renting it to commuters or by using it to sell their merchandise. Commuters usually prefer pedicab than other motorized passenger vehicle because the fare is much cheaper. This is also the only mode of transportation that can be used by impoverished Filipino when there is flooding.

Sadly, I'm always seeing a driver getting irritated every time they are tailing a bicycle or pedicab (a human powered tricycle). There is a point wherein some driver, specially truck drivers, are trying to scare bikers by tailing them so close and then blow their horn excessively.

I understand that this kind of vehicle move slowly and can cause traffic congestion especially pedicab, but still they don't deserve this kind of treatment. We should actually thank them because they are not competing with us in the use of fossil fuel, which could help in lowering the price of fuel. They are also not contributing to carbon emission that is already in alarming level. We should consider them as heroes of the environment because they risking their life when riding a bike. Riding a bike in the Philippines road and street is like suicide. Government is not implementing safety measure for bikers and no road or lane intended for them.

If there is someone needs to be blamed, it should be our government because they are not making the Philippines road and street a safe place for bikers. Aside from not encouraging the Filipinos to ride a bike, their lack of interest and focus on this kind of vehicles discourage would be biker.

Our government should spend massive effort and money to deal with serious environmental problems and one of that is building road or lane dedicated for bikers. Thus environmentally-friendly and inexpensive modes of transportation will proliferate.