Hinihimok ng organizer ng Le Tour de Filipinas (LTdF) na UBE Media, Inc. ang lahat ng nagbibisikleta sa bansa na magkaisa para sa plano na maging uri ng transportasyon ang may dalawang hulong na behikulo sa ‘new normal’.
Sang-ayon kina LTdF Founder Alberto Lina at President Donna May Lina, ang hakbang ang pagbabatayan ng gobyerno kapag niluwagan na ang enhanced community quarantine o ibinaba sa general community quarantine, pa-‘new normal dahil sa Covid-19 pandemic.
“Using the bicycle or similar two-wheeled vehicles is advocated globally. The experts are correct, there is physical distancing when you are riding your bicycle,” pahayag nang mas may edad na Lina, na siya ring chairman ng PhilCycling o Intagrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines.
Kinansela ang ika-11 edisyon ng LTDF, isang category 2.2 race ng International Cycling Union (UCI) calendar, noong May 1-5 sa Ilocos Region.
“It has always been our advocacy for cycling not only as a competitive sport, but a healthy mode of transportation,” hirit nang nakababatang si Donna May na siya ring pangulo ng UBE Media.
Dinudog ng Linas na kailangang magkaroon nang malaking parte ang sa mga lansangan ang bicycle, lalo’t wala pang natutuklasang bakuna para masawata ang coronavirus disease 2019.
“There is no guarantee for a virus-free public transportation system. Many people, if not all, would be reluctant to ride jeepneys, buses and trains, even taxis,” dagdag ni Alberto.
Malakas na susuportahan ng iisang aksyon, ayon pa rin sa mag-amang Lina, ng Malacañang Palace sa pamamagitan ng Department of Transportation (DoTR) at ng local government units (LGUs) kung saan magiging malaki ang bilang ng mga commuter.
Ang PhilCycling, anila, ang magiging malaki ang papel sa pagkilos kung saan pinamumunuan ang national cycling governing body ni Cavite 8th District Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino nilang pangulo. Siya rin ang presidente ng Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).
“The LTdF organization will be convening (virtual to draw its own suggestions or proposals for the new advocacy in the ‘new normal,’” namutawi pa kay Donna May, giniit na mas kailangang ang unahin ang espasyo sa bike sa major roads at thoroughfares.
“This new advocacy could go deep into the government’s ‘build, build, build program,’ which should incorporate the use of bicycles, even the electric bikes,” dugtong ng batang Lina.
Binanggit naman ni PhilCycling Secretary General Atty. Avelino Sumagui na buo ang suporta ng PhilCycling sa paggamit sa mga bisikleta bilang sasakyan lalo na sa metropolis.
“Besides focusing on elite cycling, the PhilCycling has as one of its priorities the use of bicycles as a vehicle to get around,” aniya “We are also encouraging all cycling groups and advocates to unite in this endeavor as the world faces this new challenge posed by the pandemic.”
Pinanapos ni Donna May na hihikayatin ng LTdF, ang continental teams 7-Eleven Roadbike Philippines Cliqq Air21, Go For Gold, Philippine Navy-Standard Insurance Team at Philippine Army Team, lahat ng professional at weekend riders, at mga tagabalangkas ng Ronda Pilipinas at PruRide Philippines para sa pagpapatupad ng programa na magluluklok sa bisikleta bilang ‘bagong hari ng kalsada’ sa ‘new normal’. (Ramil Cruz)