A Road to Share, A Road for Bicycles

If there is one social issue that is getting bigger every day, then we can easily say that it is the public transport system. Congested roads, snake-like train lines, overloaded buses … our means of transit gets worst every day and the path to making it better seems like a long way.

Yet with tiny efforts, rush hour traffic complaints can turn into positive news. True, commuters can make their daily travel a relief and that’s what Share the Road has to say with the help of its cycling movement.

Biking – how tough can it be? An exercise, a hobby, and a means of transport, Share the Road Movement empowers everyone to use the bicycle as transportation, this as they also call the government for a more bicycle-friendly country. How? Know more about Share the Road’s beginnings and efforts in our interview below.

Tell us something about Share the Road Movement … How did it begin and who is behind it?

I am Nitya Saulo and I started cycling for fun and playing when I was 7. In 2010, I joined my first Tour of the Firefly event hosted by a cycling community called the Firefly Brigade. Here I learned about a popular cycling group called Share the Road who re-introduced cycling as a mode of transportation since cars took the roads and made it unsafe for cyclists.

From there I started the Share the Road Movement Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/ShareTheRoadMovement) where I aim to make people aware that biking is good and can be an alternative mode of transportation. I do this basically because public transportation is a big issue in the Philippine society.

Your group focuses on cyclists — why is this so? And what is the specific message your group would want to send across?

Cycling is a part of my lifestyle and has been running in our family for a long time. I am mostly on my bike to travel, shop, do chores, and meet some clients. Biking is my primary mode of transportation except when I have a gig that requires me to bring a guitar or luggage.

Share the Road Movement’s message is to make people aware that there are other transport options aside from what is provided by the government. 98% of the Philippine population doesn’t own cars and mainly relies on public transportation. The 2% is the only number of people who uses the road and takes share of the taxes we pay for highway constructions. With this we want to educate and empower the mass to use the bicycle as it is beneficial to our health, the nature, and our society. We have to show the government that we can’t just comply with the public transpo system. Plus, biking makes us happy!

 What are your thoughts on the traffic and public transport system in the Philippines? 

Personally, I think it is pathetic and can be improved. The government can lay down other public transportation options if they only stay open-minded and see what people need. Ang hirap sa public transpo, hindi naman ‘to nararanasan ng mga senador o congressman kaya hindi nila masyado naiintindihan ang dinadaanan ng mga ordinaryong manggagawa.

Our public transport system can be better and we hope that cycling can be seen as another mode of transportation as we integrate it with our roads and lifestyle. Saka ang Pilipino medaling maka-adjust. Bigyan mo lang ng bicycle lane at right information, kaya na.

 So far, what are the efforts Share the Road Movement has done to improve several road problems we are having?

 This movement I’ve created efforts to educate and inspire people to call the government on the existence of cyclists. Araw-araw nakikipaglaban ako sa mga jeep, bus, trucks, at pulis sa bike lanes at parking. Bike parking should be as essential as fire exits; they should be part of establishment policies. As for bike lanes, we should have it. If they can have it in Marikina or other parts of Quezon City, then it can be done all over the country.

 We saw Share the Road Movement’s bike plate effort with Mang Tony … Please tell us more about this.

Mang Tony is a 62 year old signage artist na nadaanan ko lang habang nagba-bike sa Quiapo. He has been doing this business for 30 years and I thought na okay ang jeep plate para sa Share the Road since jeepney signage are already familiar to the Filipino – when they see the font or calligraphy, they already know that it is for public transpo.

So I asked Mang Tony if he can customize a Share the Road bike plate and he agreed. Mang Tony is old but quirky and young at heart, he also rides the bike. From there people took interest in the bike plate Mang Tony did so from one, he started making 10 to 20 Share the Road bike plates a week. Nakakatuwa kasi Mang Tony’s bike plate does make sense since motorists and the police get to read it and eventually share the road to cyclists.

What should we look forward to with Share the Road Movement? Any upcoming events or projects you’d like to share?

Because Share the Road is a movement, we come and go. I do pop-ups when there are groups who invite me to join in their rides or events. From pop-ups like Pusakalye, Firefly Brigade, Dakila and even Mercato, I can roll in and roll out with a Share the Road bike plate I can sell.

Another one that I am looking forward to is finishing the documentary film I am making. This film is mainly about the biking culture as it showcases cyclists who use their bikes for daily activities. It is a work in progress and it will take a while.

Share the Road Movement’s Three on Three

1. Top three tunes to get you going on a bike ride?

Bicycle Race by Queen

Beautiful World by Collin Hay

Step Out by Jose Gonzalez

 2. Top three ways to travel around Metro Manila?

Bicycle definitely! Use a folding bike. And also walking.

 3. Top three places to eat after a long ride?

I’m vegetarian so …

Legazpi Sunday Organic Market

Salcedo Saturday Market

Mercato in BGC (because they allow bikes in their space)

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