Many people now consider biking as their means of transportation in reporting for work primarily for financial consideration and to some, for health reasons, or both. However, parking poses a bigger problem to interested individuals especially in Makati where most of the establishments don’t have secured bike parking spaces. No one in his sanity would simply want to leave his precious bike around the corner (even with locks) for fear of losing it in parts or as a whole to thieves. Bike snatching is very common these days, remember.
Fret no more, folding bikes are here, or actually long been here. Folding bikes are called in many names, FB, foldie, tupayb (surplus bikes), to name a few. It also comes in different sizes; 26”, 20”, 16”, 14”, 12” and 10”. The 20” & 16” are more popular due to practicality of use. Only a few prefer small wheels on a long ride. And contrary to some beliefs, this type of bike is designed to fit both small & tall riders. With an FB, you may choose either bi-modal (ride a public commuter & then bike) or padyak-ol-da-way. Another good news is, LRT & MRT now both allow 'foldies' (max. 20"), so bi-modal transportation becomes more easy. Consider some of the advantages of using an FB enumerated below as against the regular bike:
FBs can be ‘park’ under your working table/desk or to a corner of your cubicle.
When you’re tired after a long ride, you may hire a cab. Fold the bike then slid it to the trunk.
Easily, you can carry it on a provincial trip. Take it beside you or use the bus baggage compartment. Just secure it against bumps.
You can use the elevator without occupying much space. That way, you’ll not be disturbing your co-passenger. Make sure though that you don’t smell horrible.
Bringing up ‘foldies’ while climbing the stairs of an LRT station or going to your workplace is no sweat.
Some malls allow entry of folded bike. Just leave it to the baggage counter & you’re free to go shopping.
It is important of course to be clean & fresh when in work, so in my case, I brought a towel & toiletries in the office. There’s no shower room in the building, so the famous ‘tabo’ solved the problem. (I could only hope that the building management would provide at least one shower stall per floor in the near future to entice more employees to follow.) It is also highly recommended to bring extra clothes (and undies, too) for contingencies just like bringing tools & safety gears. And who’s afraid of rain? With the used Divi plastic bags over my small traveling bag, the uniform won’t get wet. If you don't have a budget yet for a quality rain gear, you may opt to use the garbage bag as your rain cover for your body & a small used plastic bag for your head. Don't worry about getting wet, just in case, as you'll be taking a shower afterwards anyway.
So, come on and let's join the green campaign by helping in the reduction of carbon footprint. Get out & ride your bike to work, in a ‘foldie’. Enjoy your rides & keep safe.
My ever reliable tupayb FB, "Jeep Wrangler".
My line-up of foldies. Alternatives in my "bike-to-work".
* The writer lives near Banawe, Quezon City and has been doing bike-to-work almost everyday in a ‘tupayb’ FB since March 2012, rain or shine. Saved about P4,000 a month on fuel consumption.
