The Quezon City government has organized the "Katipunan Freedom Trail: Padyak Pabalik sa Kasaysayan," a bike event tracing five historic routes in the city taken by the Katipuneros during the Philippine Revolution.
According to Mayor Joy Belmonte, the 20-km bike trail provides a glimpse of the colorful history of the city, while also helping promote healthy living and saving the environment by reducing air pollution.
"Sa ating pagpadyak, hindi lang natin nabibigyang pansin ang mahalagang bahagi ng kasaysayan na matatagpuan sa ating siyudad. Tayo rin ay nakakatulong sa ating kalikasan. By riding our bikes, we help to mitigate climate change, improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions in the city. This is a testament to our commitment to make Quezon City a safer, greener and more habitable place for its more than three million QCitizens," Belmonte said.
With more than 500 participants, the inaugural ride started at the Andres Bonifacio Shrine in Balintawak, down to Barangay Apolonio Samson (Barrio Kangkong), then to the Cry of Pugad Lawin monument in Barangay Bahay Toro in Project 8, where bikers simulated the tearing of cedulas, a signal act of defiance done by the Katipuneros during the Spanish period.
The ride continued to the Melchora "Tandang Sora" Aquino National Shrine in Barangay Tandang Sora, where relatives of Tandang Sora greeted the riders. The last stop was the Holy Parish Cross Church in Barangay Krus na Ligas in Diliman, where the Katipuneros had taken shelter.
The cyclists finished their ride at Quezon City Hall where they received a shirt, meals, bike repair kits and a helmet.
Assistant City Administrator for Operations Alberto Kimpo said the city government's goal is to expand the QC bike lanes to 350 kilometers from its current length of 171 kilometers.
"Kasabay ng paglawak ng mga bike lanes sa QC, kailangan ay dumami rin ang mga siklista. Kailangan nating magtulong-tulong upang patuloy na mapalawig at maprotektahan ang ating bike lanes" (More bikers are needed with the expansion of QC bike lanes. We need to work together to extend and protect our bike lanes), said Kimpo.
To ensure the safety of bikers, more than 2,000 concrete plant barriers are also being installed across all districts.