50++ Good Reasons for Bicycling

There's a citizen's action group here in the Philippines which they call themselves "The Firefly Brigade" that promotes the bicycle as a sustainable and environment-friendly means of transportation. It organizes the annual Tour of the Fireflies- a colorful and festive 7-city tour of Metro Manila on bicycles.

Well, in this time of rising costs of fuel prices, climate change, and environmental degradation, the bicycle is THE most sensible and practical option available. I've owned a bike since I was a teenager and I always enjoy the ride, the mobility, the health benefits and the camaraderie. Here's an article posted by one of the member (krix_pineda) in the fireflynews yahoo groups on 50++ for Bicycling. Read on and see what we mean...

Here Are More Than Fifty Good Reasons For Bicycle Commuting, Recreational Bicycling and Creating a Strong Bike Culture In General.

1. Bicycles increase mobility for those who don't have access to motor transport.
2. Bikes increase mobility for those who don't qualify to drive a car.
3. Bicycles increase mobility for those who can't afford motor transport.
4. Bikes increase mobility for those who don't want to drive motor vehicles.
5. Bicycling can be faster than walking, transit or motor vehicles.
6. Bicycling is the most energy efficient form of transportation ever invented.
7. You get exercise from bicycling.
8. Save travel money by biking. If the switch is from a car this includes purchase price, gas, tires, fluids, insurance, maintenance, washing, parking, etc.
9. Reduce stress by bicycling.
10. Biking is therapeutic for the mind and spirit -- is fun and can make you happy.
11. Cycling is therapeutic for the cardio-vascular system, live healthier.
12. Regular cycling provides better muscle tone, bone mass improvement, clearer skin
13. Regular bicycling helps with personal weight management -- new full-time bicycle commuters can expect to lose an average 13 pounds their first year of bicycle commuting if they maintain the same eating habits.
14. Bicycling is a great initial activity for people who are obese and help them on their way to a healthier life.
15. Regular cycling can lead to lower health care expenses -- save money for a nicer vacation.
16. Allows the rider to appreciate the more of the nuances of the natural and built environment around them.
17. Your commute will be the best part of your day instead of the worst part of your day.
18. The exercise increase your productivity at work.
19. Cycling improves your self-esteem.
20. Save on the membership to a health club, get your exercise bicycling to work, school, shopping, etc.
21. Bicycling is nearly a life-long activity.
22. Bicycling is a great full family and friends activity.
23. Cycling is low impact on the body.
24. Cycling is low impact on the environment.
25. Bicycling in your neighborhood is a great way to meet your neighbors and build community.
26. Camaraderie of cyclists makes it a great way to meet a nice stranger with a similar interest.
27. Bicyclist can ignore the highway traffic jam reports.
28. Feel the satisfaction (liberation, freedom) of biking past a traffic jam in the bike lane.
29. Predictable commute time.
30. Easier parking.
31. Cheaper parking.
32. Leaving your car at home provide a parking space for someone less fortunate.
33. If you are lazy, your bicycle provides door-to-door transport (you don't have to walk across a vast parking lot).
34. Reduces the demand for new roads and paving the earth with asphalt and concrete.
35. Reduces the demand for parking lots and paving the earth.
36. Reduces energy consumption (see below).
37. Reduces air pollution -- bicyclist emit few poisonous gases. A four mile bicycle trip keeps about 15 pounds of pollutants out of the air we breathe.
38. Reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
39. Reduces water pollution -- bikes don't drip brake fluid, anti-freeze, transmission fluid, toxic dust, etc.
40. Reduces noise pollution -- even without a muffler bikes are quiet, creating a quieter community.
41. Reduces road wear -- even if cyclist feel like they have the weight of the world on their shoulders.
42. Reduces deforestation for planting of rubber plantations, because bicycles use very little rubber.
43. Reduces crime -- a huge amount of crime is associated with access to motor vehicles.
44. Reduces road kill and saves animals.
45. Demonstrates a concern for the future -- walk (ride) your talk.
46. Prevent and protest the sanctioned murder of innocent responsible citizens (homicide by motor-vehicle).
47. Bikes small profile reduce congestion.
48. Easy to vary your route by bicycle.
49. Increased bike uses generates bike facilities which increase property values.
50. Bicycling gives you more fresh air than a sauna and you can still sweat and clean your pores
51. Bike Commuting is a license to dress weird and still feel smug.
52. Urban cycling keeps you humble.
53. Bicycling can be enjoyed in a wide variety of topography.
54. Cycling can be enjoyed in a wide variety of climates.
55. Bicycles are a great means to see the world.
56. Bicycling is cool.
57. Biking Is Fun.

If you want to know more about the Firefly Brigade and its activities, programs and advocacy, visit their website at http://www.fireflybrigade.org/ And, if you want to be inspired and understand why we believe in bikes, visit the website of the Trek Bikes - USA, http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/ and watch the "We believe in bikes" clip on bicycling. You will also believe...

The Singapore Flyer

Wow! It's a giant observation wheel in Singapore (quite a huge ferris wheel, I might say). I got the chance to ride it on the 1st day it opened to the public last March 1, 2008. Unfortunately, it was raining on that day but the view from the capsule was still spectacular (though a bit cloudy & wet). A ticket cost around S$30 and the complete rotation (a very slow ride) will take about 30 minutes. The air-conditioned capsule (28 capsules in all) is as big as a bus and is capable of holding 28 passengers! You could even arranged to have a private party on a capsule with your friends or family! Cool!

Reaching 42 stories high, the Flyer comprises a 150 m (492 ft) diameter wheel, built over a three-story terminal building, giving it a total height of 165 m (541 ft). This exceeds The Star of Nanchang by 5 m (16 ft) and the London Eye by 30 m (98 ft).

At night, the view is more breathtaking with the city lights twinkling all around and in the horizon. It's a nice place to have a quiet evening with your special someone. Actually, there was a special raffle last Valentine's Day that gave out tickets for a special ride in the Singapore Flyer (with champagne, finger food, roses & romantic music)!

If you ever you visit Singapore, include the Singapore Flyer as one of the sights to see (& behold). If you want to know more about the Singapore Flyer, here's the URL: http://www.singaporeflyer.com/

Have a nice ride!

Preview of Singapore F1 during Chinggay Parade

The state-city of Singapore will host its first Formula 1 race called the Formula 1 SINGTEL Singapore Grand Prix come September 26-28, 2008 and it's going to be the first night race! Cool!

During the Chinggay Parade last February, the F1 race organizers gave a "teaser show" by having a F1 race car do pass-by for the parade spectators. Fortunately, I have my trusty videocam with me & was able to capture some of the actions (pardon the slightly shaky footage).

Here's the footage: F1 Preview/Show-Off during Chinggay Parade. For the website of the event, click here-> SINGTEL Singapore Grand Prix

Dinner with Friends @ Chong Pang

A former office mates of mine, Michelle, came visiting here in Singapore and we treated her to dinner at Chong Pang Steamboat Restaurant in the Marina Bay Area. The group included former Nexus kabarkadas - me, Cris-Red, Ronald & some friends of Michelle. Ronald took these pictures and I made a comic strips out of these using my MacBook's Comic Life.

I posted them in my Friendster account, here's the link: Dinner @ Chong Pang comic strip

Live Earth! Show Your Support

Climate changes is real. It's not an exaggeration...We can feel & see it right now...

Hey, we only have one home...Please let's take good care of it. Always consider earth-friendly activities & lifestyle. It will go a long way. Please spread the word & the practices as well.

Thanks!

Singapore, a first-timer experience

Golly! Singapore is quite a place! Compared to Manila where I came from, it's very, very different! Everything is orderly - the integrated transport system (bus & the MRT), the road traffic, clean surroundings, electronic surveillance everywhere and a fully "wired" city, i.e., wireless communication & facilities are available & used everywhere!

This is my first travel abroad & my first-time to be here in Singapore. I was fortunate enough to get a job here in an IT consulting/services company. So far, I'm doing quite well here though sometimes I have difficulty understanding their english - chinese-english or more appropriately, singlish. Chinese-Singaporeans, Indians, Malaysians, Caucasians, Japanese, & of course, Filipinos comprise the everyday faces you see in the streets.

The food here is very different - not your usual Filipino cooking. They're fond of using chili in all the food here. I had difficulty finding what food to eat when I first got here! I have to contend myself with some Muslim food like fried sausages, eggs, fish, sauteed vegetables but without the chili. Eventually, I found some food that I can eat like curry chicken, char siew rice, roasted chicken rice, roasted pork rice, and nasi padang (Muslim fried food). There is Filipino food here but on selected makan places (hawkers food courts) like Lau Pa Sat in the Central Business District (CBD) and Lucky Plaza in Orchard Road area. There may be some other places where Filipino food are available but I have yet to discover. I'm not that adventurous with food but I'll try to sample more of the Singapore cuisine eventually.

Still, I missed Filipino food cooked by my best-friend, especially her Adobo & Kare-kare...