The pros and cons of this eco-friendly alternative

Manila traffic has become a part of our culture, unfortunately. It’s integral in how we plan our days and it’s just something of a sure fact. It’s never “Is it traffic?” anymore. Now we just ask, “How bad is it? (because it ranges from not so bad to really bad)” So over the years, we’ve learned to adopt ways to avoid it. We take the literal roads less taken or we decide to stop and let the traffic pass.

Another alternative? Get on a bike.

Pros

Exercise

It might seem drastic, but getting on a bike will definitely fill your daily exercise quota. You’ll get almost every part of your body working and you might even be able to close that gym membership of yours.

Beats traffic

Much like motorcycles, a bike has the potential to get you to your destination faster. While it depends on your speed and the actual distance you have to cover (and the amount of traffic for cars, of course), you’re going to be on the move more often than not.

Costs less

Riding a bike will definitely cost less than your daily commute. In fact, it will cost you nothing if you find the right place to park it. You won’t have to pay for gas or maintenance (well not that much) either.

Eco-friendly

You might think that taking public transportation helps the environment—and you wouldn’t be wrong—but the fact is that it still leaves a negative footprint on the Earth. Alternatively, riding a bike is much more eco-friendly.

Cons

Weather surprises

Bikes do not give you much coverage, so you’re pretty much at the mercy of the weather. If it’s hot, you’ll sweat. And if it’s raining, then you better have packed a second pair of clothes.

Pollution troubles

Much in the same way, you’ll be around pollution a lot. You’ll be directly exposed to the various types of pollution on your route, including air and noise pollution.

Parking

Biking isn’t exactly a norm yet in Manila (unless you’re talking about exercise bikes), so finding a safe place to leave your wheels might prove to be difficult.

Safety

Of course, there is the safety risk as well. If you don’t choose your route carefully, you might find yourself in the middle of a road with cars that don’t have the patience to wait for you to pedal your way out.

So if you do decide to try it out, don’t forget to wear the right equipment. Don’t worry about looking silly—it’s better than getting hurt.