2 Bikes Every Minute

Second to sustainability, one of our biggest advocacies is pushing for a more bike-friendly Philippines. By making cycling more accessible through protected bike lanes, active mobility infrastructure, and educated drivers, we would encourage more commuters to hop on the saddle. As we like to think of it, every bike is one less car on the road. 

Unfortunately, comments on the social media landscape highlights a cognitive dissonance between cyclists and motorists. The past years have seen a steady increase of cyclists in the country, with as much as 36% of households using bicycles as a means of transportation (Entoma 2023). Despite this growth, the creation of dedicated bike lanes occasionally face backlash from motorists, with the common argument being: “I barely see any bikes on the bike lane, so let’s give the lane back to motorists”. On the other hand, active bike commuters would remark that they are seeing more fellow cyclists than ever.

Perhaps this disagreement comes as a side effect of “car-brain”, a phenomenon formally called “motonormativity” that causes a subconscious cognitive bias for cars over other road users like pedestrians and cyclists (see: Walker et al 2023). It is not that there are few cyclists, rather it may be a case of motorists simpy not noticing them as a result of “car-brain”.

To put more people in our shoes (on our saddle?), we created an informal experiment to demonstrate the number of bikers on the road through the cyclist’s eyes. This experiment involved hopping on a bike for one hour, and counting the number and frequency of fellow cyclists on the road. 

This experiment took place on February 19, 2025 pedaling along roads in a small section of Metro Manila, covering Malabon City, Caloocan City, and the City of Manila. We took our bambike for a ride for one hour, from 9 AM to 10 AM and counted every cyclist that we came across. As part of confirming our data, our cyclist was equipped with a chest-mounted action camera to allow further confirmation of the numbers.

In the span of  one hour, the survey documented a total of 122 cyclists. That equates to a little over 2 cyclists every minute, or 1 cyclist every 30 seconds. 

These numbers challenge the notion that bike lanes are underutilized and highlight the growing presence of cyclists on our roads. There are plenty of cyclists in need of proper infrastructure, but they are not being properly seen. By shifting perspectives and addressing motonormativity, we can foster a more inclusive and bike-friendly Philippines. The more we recognize cyclists as legitimate road users, the closer we get to a transportation system that benefits everyone—one where sustainability, safety, and accessibility take precedence over outdated biases.

Beyond data and numbers, community building and active engagement on social media play a crucial role in making cyclists more visible—both on the roads and in public discourse. By sharing experiences, organizing group rides, and advocating for better infrastructure online, cyclists create a stronger presence that challenges the dominance of car-centric narratives. Social media amplifies these efforts, allowing stories, safety concerns, and policy discussions to reach a wider audience, including policymakers and motorists. A well-connected cycling community not only empowers individuals but also helps shift the cultural mindset toward a more bike-friendly Philippines.

Sources:

Entoma, Christian (August 31, 2023). "Cycling households rise from 29% in 2022 to 36% in 2023" (PDF). Social Weather Stations.

Walker I, Tapp A, Davis A (2023). "Motonormativity: how social norms hide a major public health hazard". International Journal of Environment and Health. 11 (1): 21–33.