Making Each Day Count

Car-Free Sunday Mornings

Trail

One of the most frustrating things about cycling in Metro Manila is the lack of proper bike lanes. Thankfully, my city, Makati, has implemented Car-Free Sundays from 0600 to 1000, giving cyclists, and joggers (and sometimes fur babies) a safe space to ride or run. The stretch of Ayala Avenue from the corner of H.V. Dela Costa/Salcedo Streets to Courtyard Drive, along with the roads surrounding Ayala Triangle are closed to vehicles.

While D’s has long been passionate about cycling, it was only recently that I started building a weekly habit of cycling again. Aside from creating a momentum, I’m als working on regaining my confidence in cycling. Right now, I’m borrowing D’s foldable bicycle, as I sold mine online a few years ago not long after an embarrassing tumble on the road from Rockwell, Makati. Safe to say I’m taking it slow this time.

Have you ever experienced a cycling mishap that made you hesitant to ride again? Or do you have a favorite car-free spot to bike or jog in your city?

Responses

  1. C. Tien Avatar
    C. Tien

    I’m in Ho Chi Minh City. The traffic is always chaotic.
    When I was 13, I rode my bike on the streets for the first time. On a one-way road, I wasn’t aware of the traffic law, plus the road was packed with vehicles so I couldn’t catch up with my friend who was also riding a bike but already made it to the right side. I was on the left side and hit by a car that left me bruises. The car driver was kind enough to pick up my bike and take it to the other lane. But I was embarassed and hurt emotionally (still to this day) whenever I recall being pointed and laughed by random strangers on the street.
    Now I’ve overcome my fear of traffic, I can drive a scooter on my own but I still say No to bicycles in HCMC. I can only ride one in Da Nang or Hoi An.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. MrsWayfarer Avatar
      MrsWayfarer

      Oh my that was a scary experience! The first time I went to Vietnam was in HCM with a friend. I was amazed by the number of motorcycles on the road. So when I went back to Hanoi, this time with my husband, I knew what to expect but he had a long time mastering the art of crossing the street. I want to bring him to Da Nang as I think he’d like the traffic vibe there.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  2. thehungrytravellers.blog Avatar
    thehungrytravellers.blog

    All I can say after our recent stay is that I don’t envy anyone who has to cycle in Malate! 😂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. MrsWayfarer Avatar
      MrsWayfarer

      As someone who lives in Metro Manila, I agree cycling in Manila City is not in my checklist =))

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  3. Monch Weller Avatar
    Monch Weller

    I guess my earlier comment was accidentally sent, but to continue: I’m glad that this trend is spreading. Ortigas apparently has one (F. Ortigas Jr. Road — formerly Emerald Avenue), and Tomas Morato in QC is also closed off to cars once a month.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Monch Weller Avatar
      Monch Weller

      Looks like the earlier comment didn’t quite make it — so here it is. That reminded me of the time when I walked from Ateneo Salcedo to Greenbelt. That was around late afternoon on a Saturday, with matching grey skies and slight drizzle.

      That walk from roughly a decade ago would have been better with a sunny day and clear sky. I hope I get to experience that again, this time when Makati is car-free!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. MrsWayfarer Avatar
        MrsWayfarer

        I heard they also have this na in Tomas Morato? Sana more cities would do this in Metro Manila, and not just Sundays but weekends!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Monch Weller Avatar
        Monch Weller

        Yes, that’s true — though it’s only on the first Sunday of every month for the stretch of Morato.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. MrsWayfarer Avatar
        MrsWayfarer

        It’s a start!

        Liked by 1 person

    2. MrsWayfarer Avatar
      MrsWayfarer

      There you go! Baby steps, and hoping they’ll be embraced by more people.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  4. Rebecca Avatar
    Rebecca

    Here in LA, we have designated bike lanes, but still, it can be precarious as the lanes are shared with cars. I hesitate to ride here in LA, so I don’t!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. MrsWayfarer Avatar
      MrsWayfarer

      I imagine I’ll be on the same boat if the bike lanes are shared with cars!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  5. Ivan Jose Avatar
    Ivan Jose

    I love car-free weekends. Super daming new things na pwede makita pag walang takot mag-explore.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. MrsWayfarer Avatar
      MrsWayfarer

      True! I hope more cities would do this.

      Like

      Reply
  6. AndysWorldJourneys Avatar
    AndysWorldJourneys

    havent been on a bike in many years! Good for you getting back on the seat!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. MrsWayfarer Avatar
      MrsWayfarer

      Still getting the hang of it and hopefully I build the habit.

      Like

      Reply
  7. Lookoom Avatar
    Lookoom

    Giving priority to bikes and pedestrians on Sundays is a good idea, it makes the city different for everyone. It’s a scheme that’s much more widely applied in South America, although it’s also found elsewhere.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. MrsWayfarer Avatar
      MrsWayfarer

      I couldnt agree more. I’m excited to wake up Sunday mornings for this.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  8. Frank Solutions, LLC Avatar
    Frank Solutions, LLC

    wow that sounds awesome.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. MrsWayfarer Avatar
      MrsWayfarer

      I hope this continues and the reach in Metro Manila becomes wider

      Like

      Reply

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