QUEZON CITY, (PIA) — For Ronald, a 40-year-old daily wage earner, his bicycle is more than just a hobby – it’s his essential mode of transport.
Rain or shine, he pedals his folding bike daily from his home in Barangay Potrero, Malabon City, to his job in Mandaluyong City, navigating Metro Manila’s busy thoroughfares.
One morning, however, Ronald’s routine commute hit a snag: a flat tire on EDSA.
Stranded and without tools, frustration and worry began to set in as he was already running late for work. But a beacon of hope appeared in the form of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s (MMDA) Motorcycle and Bicycle Repair Station (MBRS), conveniently located at the ground level of the Quezon Avenue flyover.
Ronald quickly wheeled his disabled bike toward the MBRS, where MMDA personnel stood ready to assist.
“Nasa bandang North Ave. na ako papunta sa trabaho nang nabutas ang gulong ko (I was near North Ave. on my way to work when my tire punctured),” he recounted. “[Isang] arawang manggagawa lang ako, at bawal sa aming ma-late. Pero salamat sa MBRS, makakabalik agad ako sa pagpadyak (I am just a daily wage earner, and we are not allowed to be late. But thanks to MBRS, I can get back to pedaling quickly).”
The MMDA team efficiently patched up Ronald’s tire, getting him back on two wheels in short order.
“Malaking ginhawa talaga! (It’s a really big relief!),” Ronald exclaimed, his face beaming with gratitude.
“Labis akong natuwa sa mabilis na serbisyo at sa mabait na mga MMDA [staff]. Binigyan pa nila ako ng tips kung paano alagaan ang bisikleta ko (I was very happy with the fast service and the kind MMDA [staff]. They even gave me tips on how to take care of my bicycle).”
Ronald’s daily journey underscores the reliance on cycling for many daily wage earners in the capital. By biking between Malabon and Mandaluyong, he manages to save on transportation costs, a crucial factor in maintaining his quality of life.
However, this mode of transport is not without its perils. Cycling on Metro Manila’s congested roads carries significant risks. A report from the Metro Manila Accident Reporting and Analysis System (MMARAS) documented 2,397 bicycle-related road crashes in 2021, with sideswipes accounting for 726 incidents and rear-end collisions for 348.
The MMDA’s MBRS offers a crucial lifeline for cyclists like Ronald. Equipped with basic tools, vulcanizing services, and staffed by trained personnel, it provides immediate assistance to those in need. This initiative aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s infrastructure development agenda and is part of the MMDA’s broader efforts to enhance infrastructure and safety measures for the growing number of motorcycle riders and cyclists in Metro Manila.
The newly improved MBRS facility, housed in a high-quality container van at the ground level of the EDSA Quezon Avenue flyover in Quezon City, offers basic repair tools and vulcanizing services. Trained MMDA personnel are on hand to assist motorists and cyclists facing mechanical issues on the road.
“Aligned with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s agenda for infrastructure development, the MMDA MBRS is part of several initiatives aimed at improving the infrastructure and safety measures for the growing number of motorcycle riders and bikers in Metro Manila,” said MMDA Chairman Atty. Don Artes during the facility’s inauguration.
“The repair station serves as a temporary lay-by area for motorcycle riders and cyclists dealing with mechanical issues, adverse weather conditions, or other roadside emergencies, enhancing their safety and convenience while on the road,” Artes added.
Reflecting on his experience, Ronald said: “Biyaya talaga ang MBRS para sa mga katulad ko, na umaasa lang sa aming bisikleta para makapunta sa trabaho. Para sa akin, isa itong paraan ng gobyerno upang ipakita na mayroon siyang malasakit sa aming kaligtasan at kapakanan. Ngayon alam ko na na pwedeng magrepair dito sakaling magkaroon ulit ako ng problema sa bisikleta ko (MBRS is truly a blessing for people like me who rely solely on our bicycles to get to work. For me, this is a way for the government to show that it cares about our safety and well-being. Now I know that I can get repairs here in case I have another problem with my bicycle).”
With his tire repaired, Ronald continued his journey to work, a tangible reminder of the government’s efforts to support the often-vulnerable cycling community. (JCO/PIA-NCR)
