Iloilo City will host the second edition of the Gran Fondo New York (GFNY) Asian Championship on September 22 to set the hotly-contested race among Asia’s elite and international riders.
GFNY winners in the competitive long-distance get to compete to the GFNY NYC World Championship on May 17, 2020.
Around 250 to 300 bikers will ride across the city and province at Iloilo Business Park.
The race will happen at 6.30 AM with Governor Arthur Defensor, Jr. and Mayor Jerry Treñas signaling for the start.
Iloilo City has a rich biking culture, and with its scenic views, makes an ideal venue for the international race.
“We’re giving back the streets to the people, and we’re trying to make more roads accessible. After GFNY is done, the aftershocks will be felt through the city and nearby municipalities and cycling events can be used as a future land-use plan to include more bike lanes,” Councilor Jose Efraim ‘Jay’ Treñas III, Executive Director of Iloilo Bike Council, said.
Iloilo City, dubbed as the Most Bike-Friendly City, launched road initiatives together with the LGUs and the local biking community, such as the annual bike festival, which is now on its 6th year.
Chief Tourism Officer of the Department of Tourism VI, Atty. Sedfrey Cabaluna, said that DOT advocates for sustainable tourism, and GFNY reinforces that campaign.
“As we continue to strengthen our facilities to accommodate tourists we are also looking forward to activities that will strengthen the directions we have,” Atty. Cabaluna mentioned.
Together with fellow Presidential Awardee for the Bayanihan sa Daan Road Sharing project, Fondo Manila’s Coach Patrick Joson of Trygon Corporation, they have spearheaded the event to bring biking in Iloilo to an international level.
The event, which kicks off at the Iloilo Business Park, is a partnership between GFNY, the Iloilo City Government and Iloilo Provincial Government. Megaworld Corporation is the main title sponsor.
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Iloilo to host GFNY Asian Championship
Basic bike safety
With bicyclists sharing the road with more than a million motorized vehicles all day, it is also vital for them to take some bike safety precautions. Here are some of the things riders should keep in mind when on their bikes.
Check the equipment
It is essential to check the equipment and inspect the bike before going out. First of all, the seat should be adjusted to its proper height and should also be locked in place. This will ensure that the cyclist is capable of controlling the bicycle properly. Second, they should also make sure that all the parts are working and secured correctly – from the tires, horn or bell, pedals, spokes, headlight, and rearview mirror.
Lastly, it is essential to conduct regular check-ups and maintenance on the bicycle. The owners themselves can tune it themselves, but it is recommended to take it to a professional repair shop.
Protect the head
Another bike safety tip that cyclists should keep in mind is to wear a helmet at all times. In fact, the Philippines require all riders to wear a helmet to keep them safe on their travel. When selecting a helmet, ensure that it meets the safety standards, and it fits the head snugly. It should not move upon fastening the chinstrap.
Know the traffic rules
Remember that bicyclists follow the same traffic rules as that of cars. Riders should be familiar with the following road guidelines:
- Ride with the flow of traffic
- Know the hand signals when turning, changing lanes, and passing bikers
- Understand who has the right of way: people, bikes, or cars
- Obey traffic lights and signs
- Children under the age of 10 should never ride near traffic
- Right single-file on the direction of traffic
- Never hitch into cars
- Stop, look left, look right, look left again, look right back, and look over the shoulder before entering the traffic
Guard the body
Another bike safety reminder to keep in mind is to guard the body aside from the head. Listed below are some of the strategies to achieve this.
- Wear padded shorts and purchase a padded bike seat to avoid discomfort.
- Wear sports sunglasses to stop bugs and specks of dust from entering the eyes.
- Wear sports gloves to prevent injuries and blisters from flying debris.
- Wear clothing that will cover the whole skin.
- Wear bright clothing so other people can easily spot the biker’s presence.
Taking these reminders by heart will ensure that the rider’s body will be protected from a fall or crash.
Always be aware of the surroundings
Drivers must always be aware of their surroundings. This can be achieved by continuously checking the rearview mirrors to see the movement of other vehicles and bicycles. It is also essential to avoid wearing headphones. The music might distract the riders from the noises around, such as another car or vehicle blowing its horn.
Make eye contact with other drivers
Always assume that other drivers do not see everything on their peripherals. Therefore, it is recommended that the bicyclists establish eye contact with the approaching vehicles. This move will ensure that they won’t be a threat to anyone’s safety anymore.
Signal the turns
Since bikers do not have brake lights or turn signals, they must know what the necessary bicycle hand signals. This is important in terms of helping the cars and trucks behind to understand what the rider will do next and not run into you. Take note that the left arm is the one dedicated to conducting all of the signals. Here are the necessary details on how to perform the various turn signals.
Right Turn
- Check the situation behind the bicycle.
- Bend your elbow.
- Hold your left arm up in an “L” shape.
- Slowly ride forward.
Left Turn
- Check the situation behind the bicycle.
- Hold your arm straight out towards the left direction.
- Slowly ride forward.
Stop
- Check the situation behind the bicycle.
- Bend your elbow.
- Point it downward in an inverted “L” shape.
- Slowly come to a stop.
Always remember these bike safety hand signals will not only help the rider itself, but also the other surrounding drivers.
Keep both hands on the break
Some riders control their bikes using one hand. This practice is unsafe since the biker might not be able to stop in time. Hence, it is recommended to keep both sides on the break and allow extra distance when stopping.
Riding a bike is fun and convenient, but accidents still happen there. The safest way to go from one point to another is to follow all of these bike safety tips in every ride.
Biking in the Philippines
Due to the worsening traffic situations and high fuel costs in the Philippines, more and more consumers are looking for alternative ways to ease their travel time. One way to do so is through bike riding. Not only does it cut down transportation expenses, but it also poses various health benefits.
The only problem with this source of transportation is that not all main roads in the Philippines have bike lanes yet. There had been initiatives from both the local and national government to solve this problem. These lanes are usually painted red and are lined with several traffic reminders and signs for cyclists.
Furthermore, Congress proposed a new house bill called the Bicycle Act of 2016, aiming to develop and improve the bicycle program. It reiterated rules and regulations which riders should follow to ensure safety. Listed below are some of these:
- All cyclists must wear safety gear.
- Riders must only travel on designated bikeway roads and streets.
- Those bicycle riders traveling at night must house reflective materials that are visible from both sides. It should also have a red reflective located at the rear end and a white front headlight.
- No rider should carry people more than its designated weight limit.
- The cyclist should not have any carry-ons except a trailer, basket, rack, or bag.
- Bicycles are not allowed to be parked in areas that are not approved by the Local Bikeways Office (LBO).
- Bikers are not allowed to cling to other vehicles while in the designated bike lanes.
