Want to learn a new skill? Ortigas' Emerald Avenue is offering bike lessons for free
Pasig is quickly becoming a more pedestrian-friendly city, as Emerald Avenue in Ortigas has been offering free beginner-friendly bike lessons to anyone who wants to learn how to ride a bike.
As part of the Pasig City Transportation Office's initiative to lessen road congestion and curb the cost of fuel prices, volunteers from Bicycle Friendly Philippines and the Pinay Bike Commuter Community took to People’s St. last March 19 to teach the way of the wheel.
Interested bikers of all ages were shown the ropes of bike-riding—from learning how to balance, checking gears, to their first pedaling trip in the wide car-free road.
Participation is registration-free, as interested riders only needed to show up on the avenue itself. More schedules and updates will be announced on the Pasig Transport Facebook page.
The government transport arm of the city has long been pushing cycling in the business district, as it brought back the "Open Street Sundays" initiative last November. The move prohibits vehicles to pass Emerald Avenue to encourage residents to engage in physical activities, including cycling, jogging, and Zumba during the day.
Since then, the avenue has been open exclusively for pedestrians, bicycles, and other light personal mobility devices every Sunday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Meanwhile, Emerald Avenue also recently suspended four-wheelers to make way for the Leni Robredo PasigLaban People’s Rally on March 20. Participants were discouraged to bring vehicles and were encouraged to walk or cycle to the venue.