Reclaiming Spaces for Bikers The focus of the advocacy in 2006 was getting the support of the three sectors - bikers, pedicab and bike business - to help build public awareness on the importance of non-motorized transportation for social development. Establishing alliance with bikers in the region After building public and government interest on non-motorized transport in Metro Manila, FILCONWIL moved to the provinces where riding a bike is one of the most natural things to do. Initial rapid appraisal conducted outside of Metro Manila in 2005 showed a bustling pedicab sector in Samar Island in Eastern Visayan region. Eastern Visayas or Region 8 is composed of six provinces: Southern and Northern Leyte in one island, Biliran Island, Eastern, Western and Northern Samar comprising the largest island of the region. The region has 145 Local Government Units. Western Visayas Eastern Visayas Region Region Bikers from different parts of Eastern Visayas Region find strength in fun rides while advocating social issues such as anti- drug addition There are eighteen (18) bikers’ clubs1 known to be existing in Eastern Visayas Region. Bikers’ clubs are usually composed of professionals who believe and practice healthy lifestyle. They are more into cycling as an exercise and the chance to compete in local bike races. There are times that different clubs get together to promote issues related to drug addiction and the environment. However, they do not programmatically promote Non-Motorized Transport (NMT) as an environmental, economic issue that needs to be integrated into the over-all strategy developmental framework of the locality. Despite the popular use of bikes however, bikers do not have bike lanes. There are no enabling structures that popularize biking culture, promote road safety of bikers, integrate non-motorized transport into the over-all transportation strategy and regulate motorized transport. Further, similar to the national situation, there are no enabling policy at the local government level on non-motorized transport. 1 Bikers’ organizations from Tacloban, Palo, Hilongos, Abuyog, Baybay, Ormoc, Maasin, Calbayog, Isabel, Naval, Albuera, Sogod, Maasin, Bato, Calbayog, Catbalogan Amidst this situation, FILCONWIL networked with the bikers’ clubs. It worked closely with three organizations as follows: o Leyte Gulf Off-Road Association (LGORA) based in Palo, Northern Leyte o Nautilus Bikers’ Club (NABIC) based in Abuyog, Northern Leyte o Hilongos Unified Bikers (HUB) based in Hilongos, Northern Leyte In addition, an environmental advocacy group, Environmental Legal Assistance Center (ELAC) became part of FILCONWIL’s network in 2006. The immediate result of this networking process was the First Bikers’ Summit in Eastern Visayan Region on June 10-11, 2006. Bikers’ summit The clubs of bikers eventually interlink with each other, outside of the competition arena, through the FIRST BIKERS’ SUMMIT IN REGION 8 on June 10 – 11 2006 in the town of Palo, Leyte. Preparations for the Bikers’ Summit started early in February 2006. The organizing committee was eventually formed in April and the members agreed on the following specific objectives: 1. To provide an avenue for bikers to discuss “Rights of Bikers on Roads and Highways,” NMT, and the environment. 2. To discuss organizational resolutions on NMT, which will provide the basis for policy advocacy at the local and national levels. The Summit, initially known as Bike for Hope was intended for August. It was moved to an earlier date, June 10-11, by popular demand. Bikers were eager to have it done for it would be their first experience to discuss NMT. The Bike for Hope was then renamed into the “First Bikers’ Summit in Region 8”. The committee members met several times to prepare for the Summit as all reside in different places in the region; the farthest have to travel for three hours by bus. As the preparations for the Summit went on, the local government units where the three bikers’ associations come from were also informed about it. The Mayor of Palo decided to host and co-sponsor the Bikers’ Summit providing us with venue, sound system, police security and escorts free of charge. Two hundred fifty (250) bikers, men and women, the oldest being 72 years old and the youngest at 9 years old, from different provinces across Region 8 gathered in the municipality of Palo by evening on June 10. They brought with them their organizational resolutions on NMT. A consultative workshop was conducted to finalize the resolutions. Below is the report of our main partner, ELAC. “First Bikers’ Summit in Region 8” By: Geraldine T. Manicani ELAC The much awaited “First Bike’s Summit” in the region came to a realization through the cooperation of the organizers: Leyte Gulf Off-Road Bikers Association (LGORA), Nautilus Bikers Club (NABIC), Hilongos Unified Bikers (HUB), Environmental Legal Assistance Center (ELAC), Bilin ng Mamamayang Konsyumer (BILMAKO, Filipino Consumers’ Will). The Summit was supported by PATH-CANADA. The said activity was also supported by the Municipality of Palo. The Summit was participated by two hundred fifty (250) bikers coming from different organizations across Eastern Visayan Region1. On the 10th day of June, 2006, the activity started at two in the afternoon as bikers arrived in their bikes and by trucks at Palo Public Plaza, Palo, Northern Leyte. Others came in riding their bikes such as the Hilongos and Calbayog bikers. Hilongos bikers left their home as early as 4 am on June 10 and pedaled to Palo reaching the venue at around 3 pm. They covered a distance of approximately 140 kms of paved roads, sharing lanes with buses, trucks, motorcycles and cars. They navigated twenty six kilometers of winding road along mountainous range. On another island, bikers from Calbayog, Samar started biking at the same time but they reached Palo at around 6 pm covering a distance of more than 200 km. Bikers set up their tents at the plaza for lodging as most of them slept in the plaza. The others rested at the nearby Church. After taking rest, bikers’ organizations sat with their members and discussed their respective concerns as bikers, as basis for further actions. In the evening of June 10, Honorable Teodoro M. Sevilla, Municipal Mayor of Palo, encouraged the Summit participants to advocate further. He fully supported the activity, opened the public plaza for the Summit, and provided the sound system, police security and escorts free of charge. After the dinner, the Environment Legal Assistance Center, ELAC presented environmental concerns such as climate change and its causes. FILCONWIL discussed non-motorized transport, models of bike lanes, parking areas for bikes, etc, across the world. Bikers enjoyed the socials. They bonded for the first time as NMT stakeholders, not as competitors of bike racing. They discussed common issues such as road safety, rights and responsibilities as road users. They shared common ideals such as NMT policies. The following day, bikers woke up at 4 o’clock dawn, and started warming up for the Ride for a Cause at 5 in the morning. The general public lined sidewalks and cheered as 250 bikers claimed the streets that usually belong to the motorized transport. The bikers had a fun ride around the town proper of Palo; parading through the national highway en route to the famous tourist area of Northern Leyte, MacArthur Park; passing through rough roads to an interior village linked with a hanging steel bridge to the town proper and is only served by pedicabs; and finally to the beach. The bikers then collected garbage in Sabang beach, Palo. Collecting garbage at the beach is part of ELAC’s Solid Wastes Management Plan in coordination with the Local Government of Palo. After collecting garbage, bikers got their prize – a hearty breakfast and returned home happy. “Fun Ride for Safe Roads, Better Lives and Healthier Environment” was the main objective of the summit. Through this summit, bikers wanted to be recognized that they too have their rights on the road. Bikers wanted the local and the national government to promote non-motorized transportation and enjoy our nature’s scenery. “Bike for Health… Bike for Clean Environment… Bike for Better Lives!”. This kind of gathering is an avenue to promote clean and green environment, which will likely to result in good health, not only for bikers but also for non-bikers. There will be less pollution. At the same time an exercise while gazing at God’s creation. As children appreciate biking, it will instill environment awareness at the same time social responsibility to be a part for a common cause. Modeling of such vision helps us spread our individual responsibility as part of our nature. It is encouraging that there are existing groups, which advocate just as us… helping us in promoting a healthy environment, that is safe to live in. As always emphasized, we are part of our nature and we ought to protect our environment. Promoting NMT in Bike Races Bikers’ organizations, with the help of Local Government Units, in Region 8 sponsor around 8-12 major biking events per year, held during fiestas. There are minor competitions in small villages as well. These events are usually racing competitions and not a forum for discussions to deepen their understanding of NMT and advocate for others to join their cause. Trophies and Shirts for NMT popularization In coordination with partner bikers’ clubs, FILCONWIL participated in municipal bike races to advocate non-motorized transport especially the popularization of the pedicab. FILCONWILL participated in 6 local races and one international race by: • Supporting three bikers’ organizations to participate the International biking festival, Terry Larrazabal Race, gaining a chance to network with bikers from different regions. • Supporting the biking races in Palo twice to popularize the needs for bike lanes and bike park.