Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog led about 3,000 bikers within and outside of Iloilo in the very successful 1st Iloilo Bike Festival on Sunday, March 30.
The bike fest included a Fun Bike Ride which had stops at 14 tourism sites of the city.
The event started 4 PM at the Iloilo Business Park of Megaworld in Mandurriao to the Central Point, down to the Circumferential Road in Buhang, McArthur Drive, General Luna Street, all the way to the Rotary Park, and back to Megaworld via Molo plaza and Iloilo Esplanade.
Among the stops are Plaza Libertad, Fort San Pedro, Muelle Loney, Calle Real, Arroyo Fountain, General Luna, Molo Plaza, Arevalo Plaza, Carpenter’s Bridge, Iloilo River Esplanade, Diversion Road, Jaro Plaza and La Paz Plaza.
[Related: Iloilo Bike Festival to promote tourism and boost economy]
There was also a Bike Party at the Iloilo Business Park after the race, where certificates for the finishers and sponsors were awarded.
Aside from Mabilog, Congressman Jerry Treñas, Senate President Franklin Drilon and Ramon Magsaysay Award for Environment recipient Antonio Oposa graced the festivities.
“1st Iloilo Bike Festival 2014 was a tremendous success with an estimate of about 3,000 bikers who participated. Thank you senate president Franklin Drilon, congressman Jerry Trenas, Vice Mayor Joe III Espinosa, Atty. Tony Oposa, Festival Director Ron Sebastian, Mr. Jojo Castro, Mr. Rock Drilon, Megaworld, Councilors Carlos Guarin, Jay Trenas, Butch Gerochi, Love Baronda, Jason Gonzales, Iloilo Business Park of Megaworld, Globe, IHRRA, IFold, TMTRO, Iloilo City Tourism Office and all the thousand who came to make this event a big success. I AM ILOILO, PROUD TO BE FILIPINO,” Mabilog posted in his official Facebook page.
Mabilog proposed that the Bike Festival be held every year, as it promotes a “walkable” city, road sharing and a healthy lifestyle. He also added that, starting March 31, the Iloilo Esplanade will be open to bikers from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
[Credits: Jed Patrick E. Mabilog Facebook and Simply Iloilo for video]
