WHEN I was younger, and that was years ago, I used to go biking with my barkada along the highway. At that time we did not have to worry about speeding motor vehicles because their number then was a bit scarce. Besides, speedsters were not as bold then as they are now.
Today, it would be almost impossible to go biking on the highway not only because of the sheer number of motor vehicles but also because it seems drivers have become doubly emboldened as if dreaming of being on the concrete race tracks, the highway.
A few years back, the RTA caused the marking of A. Velez Street with bike lanes that stretch from Recto Highway on the north to the Paseo del Rio rotunda in the south. Bike-stopping lanes were also indicated at appropriate intervals along that stretch.
At first, motorists avoided occupying the bike lanes for parking. That made A. Velez Street orderly, at least on the side where there were bike lanes. Now, the bike lanes have been wantonly ignored by motorists who park their motor vehicles.
Bike lanes are a welcome component of the traffic scheme, especially in a fast-growing metropolis like Cagayan de Oro. The public, particularly motorists are, requested and advised to respect bike lanes because these facilities could contribute to reducing the number of motor vehicles on the road thus making their life on the road more relaxing and a little stress-free.
Maayo pa nga exercise ang mag bike.
