THE empowering and liberating impact of bicycles has been evident for decades. But its supremacy as an enabler was not well understood until Scientific American in 1973 analyzed the energy consumption of different forms of animal locomotion and concluded that nature’s most efficient traveler was a human on a bicycle.
Steve Jobs used the example of a bicycle to describe the potential of computers: “I read a study that measured the efficiency of locomotion for various species on the planet. The condor used the least energy to move a kilometer. And humans came in with a rather unimpressive showing, about a third of the way down the list. But then somebody at Scientific American had the insight to test the efficiency of locomotion for a man on a bicycle ... a human on a bicycle blew the condor away, completely off the top of the charts. And that is what a computer is to me — it’s the equivalent of a bicycle for our minds.”
Bicycles empower, not only physically, but also economically. For the poor and disadvantaged, bicycles provide opportunity and hope. The classic example is the story of young John Gokongwei. When his father died, leaving the family without a steady source of income, Gokongwei, at the age of 13, became the family’s provider. These are his words: “I often wonder what ever happened to my first bike. The bike that was my companion during those first years when my family had lost everything, and I sold wares at the market every morning.” Without access to a bicycle during this difficult period, Gokongwei’s life could have turned out quite differently.
The world is a much better place because of bicycles. This is why we celebrate World Bicycle Day. During its 82nd Plenary Meeting on April 12, 2018, the United Nations General Assembly declared June 3 of every year as World Bicycle Day, citing the following: “The uniqueness, longevity and versatility of the bicycle, which has been in use for two centuries ... it is a simple, affordable, reliable, clean and environmentally fit sustainable means of transportation, fostering environmental stewardship and health. The synergy between the bicycle and the user fosters creativity and social engagement, and gives the user an immediate awareness of the local environment ... the bicycle can serve as a tool for development and as a means, not just of transportation, but also of access to education, health care and sport.”
With many Philippine cities beset by worsening traffic, heat, noise and pollution, and with the fuel crisis affecting millions of Filipinos daily, part of the solution should be to encourage a shift to travel by bicycle. Active transport should be a central element of our resiliency planning and our strategy for poverty alleviation.
In every locality, we need to create networks of safe cycling pathways and to make these permanent and high quality. There should be protected pathways on all roads so that people on bicycles will have a safe space, fully separated from motor vehicles. Shade trees should be planted along these pathways to provide protection from harsh weather and lower temperatures.
Because many daily trips involve more than one mode of travel, bicycles should be welcome on all public transport, especially trains and buses. There should be secure and convenient bike parking at key destinations — not in some dark and remote corner of a building or parking lot. Showers and lockers at places of work would be a most welcome addition.
The benefits of increased use of bicycles are considerable. Instead of spending on running a car or motorcycle or on public transport, households will have more money for basic necessities like food and health care. Instead of waiting in line or sitting in traffic, commuters will have more time with friends and loved ones, for leisure and for personal care. Because roads will be safer, many lives will be saved.
Filipinos will have more healthy, active lifestyles. If people shift from using a car or motorcycle, there will be less road congestion, noise, heat and air pollution. If people shift to bicycles from using buses, trains or jeepneys, there will be less crowding and queues for limited public transport.
More than a century ago, Filipinos were already aware of the transformative benefits of using a bicycle. In a letter to his mother and sister in 1896, Jose Rizal wrote: “Please buy me a secondhand bicycle, neither very bad nor very good, and which will not cost more than 100 pesos.” If Rizal were alive today, he, too, would be on a bicycle. Happy World Bicycle Day!
Robert Y. Siy is a development economist, city and regional planner, and public transport advocate.