MANDALUYONG CITY, July 23, 2026 – Amid the after-work rush hour, more than 70 workers and 350 Pilipinas joined the Bike Bus in Mandaluyong to promote safer, more inclusive, and sustainable bike-to-work commuting. Organized by 350 Pilipinas in partnership with the Active Transport Office (ATO) under the City Traffic and Parking Management Department (CTPMD), the ride was led by women bike patrollers and passed through major roads and inner streets of Mandaluyong. The three-kilometer route followed the regular route used by ATO workers.
“As a government employee, biking to work is a practical transport option. In our office, we bike to and from work, and following a regular route helps keep our colleagues safe and supported,” said Maria Rosana Ras, Mandaluyong ATO – CTPMD’s Public Relations Officer.
The ATO-CTPMD anticipates that the launch and frequency of the city’s bike bus will help increase the number of government employees biking to work.
The Bike Bus highlighted the importance of strengthening soft infrastructures that must co-exist alongside physical infrastructures such as protected bike lanes and repair stations, as these interventions can be implemented by cities to further enable active transport. Additionally, the activity emphasized the need to forward gender-responsive mechanisms which can encourage more women to take up cycling as a safe and practical mode of transport.
“Initiatives like the Bike Bus show that, with the right support, cycling can become a practical, safe, and inclusive option for everyday commuting. It challenges cities to expand institutional resources and to invest in interconnected systems that support urban mobility. By mobilizing bike commuters and fostering regular, community-led rides, we can reduce reliance on motorized transport, improve urban air quality, and ultimately reduce emissions from the transport sector,” said Jheny Dabu, Sustainable Transport Campaigner of 350 Pilipinas.
Ahead of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s upcoming State of the Nation Address, advocates are urging the government to increase overall budget allocation for active transport, enabling the expansion of bike lanes and pedestrian pathways. The budget for active transport has seen a steep decline of over 94 percent, from a peak of Php 2 Billion in 2022, down to Php 60 Million in 2025, and a slight increase to Php 105 million in 2026. Meanwhile, Mandaluyong City presents strong opportunities for decarbonization due to its strategic location at the center of major business districts and its connectivity to key cities in Metro Manila, including Pasig, Quezon City, and Manila. In 2025, the city recorded 14,354 cyclists in its annual bike count and has continued to promote bike-to-work initiatives through its recent seminars and activities.
Participants assembled at 5:00 PM, with the ride-out at 5:30 PM. The route began at the Mandaluyong City Hall and passed through Maysilo, Boni Avenue, P. Cruz, Ortigas Extension, Fabella Road, and Nueve Febrero, before ending at the National Center for Mental Health. The Women-Led Bike Bus builds on the momentum of the Workers Bike Bus launched in Quezon City last June 4 and 11, which called for interventions that make active mobility a practical and safe option for everyday commuters.
ABOUT THE ORGANIZERS:
350 Pilipinas is an advocacy organization working for climate action that is based on the realities of science, and grounded on the principles of justice.
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