![[OPINION] It's time to create a true Pinoy bicycle](https://i.headtopics.com/images/2020/5/29/rapplerdotcom/opinion-it-s-time-to-create-a-true-pinoy-bicycle-1266240640842530823.webp)
'There's a Japan bike and there's a Dutch bike. How about a Pinoy bike? It is high time to make our own bicycles.' Opinion
In the discussions about the role of cycling in the promotion and building of sustainable transport and mobility, one often neglected topic, in the context of finding long-term solutions, is the importance of a local bicycle manufacturing industry.
A clear vision, sound policies, and infrastructure are key elements for building a cycling culture, but equally important is the design of bicycles we will be using. The history of bicycles in the Philippines is a history of waves of booming and waning fashion dictated by what the overseas market and culture export to us – from road bikes, to BMX, to mountain bikes, to fat tires, and the most recent, gravel bikes and electric bikes.
A local bike manufacturing industry implemented through local community workshops, similar to the backyard industry producing jeepneys and tricycles, will be more conducive to innovations and customizations which are required by a variety of users. Makers directly interacting with users is a good guarantee of the bicycle's serviceability. Local workshops will not only be ideal with regards to creating more appropriate designs, but will give rise to economic activity for the community.
The local workshops can start with framebuilding. Of all the parts of the bicycle, it is the frame which is the biggest factor for how it will be appropriate for the intended use. Of all the parts of the bicycle, the frame is the one we can easily manipulate in the context of the tools and skills available to us. We are also fortunate that we are in the time where tools have become smaller, cheaper, and more easily available. We also do not lack skills and ingenuity.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
ECQ Stories: How Pinoy travel bloggers thrive during the COVID-19 pandemicGretchen Filart of The Filipina Explorer, Migz Hernandez of Footloose Tomcat, and Yosh Dimen of The Poor Traveler let us in on what's it like to be a travel blogger during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the GMANetwork.com exclusive HERE:
Read more »
Senators push govt to take the lead in use of bikes, says adequate infrastructure sorely neededSenators have called on government agencies to take the lead in promoting the use of bicycles as an alternative mode of transport following the COVID-19 outbreak.
Read more »
IATF to encourage bicycles as ‘primary mode of transport’ — Año“‘Yung bicycle, pi-no-promote nating primary mode of transportation so mag-uutos na rin tayo sa LGUs na mag-establish ng bike lanes sa lahat ng thoroughfares,” Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said. Read:
Read more »
COVID-19 fashion: Local brands, designers create stylish protective gear
Read more »
PLDT support Twitter account hackedHacking group Anonymous Philippines use Twitter account PLDTCares to call out the telecommunications company. Read:
Read more »
Virtual fashion show sets a new trend for future runway showsSee Anifa Mvuemba's trailblazing digital fashion show and find out why it's been dubbed groundbreaking! LOOK HERE:
Read more »