More bikers not wearing helmets

CEBU, Philippines — There are more bikers in Cebu City this year compared to last year based on the recent Bilang Siklista figures, but records show that the majority of them are not wearing helmets.

According to Cebu City’s Sugbo Bike Lanes Board (SBLB), the annual bike and pedestrian count from June 29 to July 1 of this year saw a total of 15,252 cyclists, which is higher compared to last year’s figure of 13,364.

The bike count was conducted in four strategic locations in the city—Colon Street, General Maxilom Avenue, N. Bacalso Avenue corner F. Llamas Street, and Osmeña Boulevard in a four-hour window scheme from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The three-day activity was in coordination with two non-government organizations, the Mobility Awards and Cebu Leads Foundation.

The bike count is done annually with the hope of introducing more legislation and policies aimed to promote active mobility in the city.

“The Sugbo Bike Lanes Board is a policy making body. Kung unsay makita nato sa kadalanan og yangongo sa mga siklista, paminawon na nato ug mangita ta og paagi nga massolbad nato,” said SBLB’s Executive Director Bernard Maraasin.

Maraasin added that the bike count also helps determine what streets in the city bikers usually use and record them as part of the city’s plan to create a bike network.

An average of more than 7,000 cyclists were recorded per day in the city in the latest bike count.

Of the 15,252 cyclists recorded in this year’s count, around 15,024 or 98 percent are male while 204 or 1.7 percent are female.

Maraasin said SBLB included gender in the bike count’s parameters to determine if women are also into bike commuting.

Based on the just-concluded activity, most of those who used their bikes in the city were on their way to work, while others used it for leisure, and exercise, while others said it was due to lack of public transportation options, and due to increasing gas prices, according to the city’s Sugboanon channel.

While there’s an increase in the number of locals going into active transportation, SBLB noted that more bikers also don't use helmets.

Of the 15,252 cyclists recorded in this year’s bike count, 9,538 or 62.3 percent were caught without any helmets.

SBLB shared that bikers have noticeably ignored using helmets after the suspension of apprehension on “helmetless” cyclists.

With this, SBLB looks into reviving its operations against helmetless cyclists.

Aside from that, Maraasin also hopes that the implementation of the mandatory registration of bicycles will finally be realized.

Bicycle registration is mandated under City Ordinance 2408, but was temporarily scrapped due to budgetary concerns.

“Hopefully, ato na gyud mapatuman. Manakop man gane ta sa mga siklista, naa unta silay klarong identity ug license. Kay in the event nga manakop ta, naa tay basehan,” Maraasin said. – /ATO (FREEMAN)