Biking Down the Metro: Bike Shops and Bike-Friendly Places Around Metro Manila
Updated as of March 10, 2021
Pre-COVID 19, bikes have already been treading along the city roads albeit the scarcity of lanes dedicated to them. And now, more than ever, these numbers have visibly increased as the pandemic brought with it a constantly shifting landscape involving public transportation—no less the need to be at an acceptable distance away from other people. Lest we forget that more than being a convenient transportation means, biking also has several benefits such as aiding in weight management, improving one’s core and lower body strength, and easing one’s negative emotions as you cycle.
To give beginners a head start on biking down Metro Manila, Philippine Primer offers a refresher on what you need to know about it, from the guidelines involving such a mode of transport and the bike lanes you can find around, down to the bike-friendly places in the city and some of the most reliable bike shops where you can cop a unit that is perfect for you.
Biking Regulations
At present, there is no law of some sort covering the use of bicycles in the Philippines. There are, instead, acts introduced by former senators that are unfortunately yet to be passed. But for the utmost safety of cyclists, basic biking etiquettes include the wearing of helmet and shoes; the use of headlight, tail light, and other reflective materials; and the strict limiting of just one (1) passenger. Cyclists, like drivers of any other vehicle, must comply with the traffic laws as well atop the general etiquette in cycling.
Metro Manila Bike Lanes
Not all main roads including EDSA have bike lanes yet, but there have been initiatives both from the national and local governments to begin their establishment, more especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic that crippled public transport. As of publishing, cities equipped with said protected lanes are Quezon City, San Juan, Pasig, Manila, and Marikina. Bikes are also allowed on sidewalks but only if the bike lane is situated within them, just like in BGC.
Also read: City Biking: All the Bike Lanes Around Metro Manila
Where to Go Biking Around Metro Manila
University of the Philippines Diliman
Address: Diliman, Quezon City
Entrance fee: None
Quezon Memorial Circle
Address: Quezon Memorial Shrine, Quezon City
Entrance fee: None
The Bike Playground
Address: Warehouse 1, Circulo Verde, Bagumbayan, Quezon City
Entrance fee: P100/hr
Circuit Makati
Address: Hippodromo St., Carmona, Makati City
Entrance fee: None
BGC Greenway Park
Address: 3 McKinley Rd., Makati City
Entrance fee: None
Heroes Bike Trail
Address: Libingan ng mga Bayani, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City
Entrance fee: P50
Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex
Address: Roxas Blvd., Pasay City
Entrance fee: None
Filinvest MTB Trail
Address: 1781 Filinvest Ave., Alabang, Muntinlupa City
Entrance fee: None
Marikina River Park
Address: Fernando Ave., Santa Elena, Marikina City
Entrance fee: None
*Accessibility of these places are subject to change due to the COVID-19 situation.
