In celebration of #WorldBicycleDay, SM Supermalls in conjunction with bike advocacy group MNL Moves had an SM-to-SM bike ride last 5 June 2021! The ride took the participants through five SM malls, showcasing #BikeFriendlySM‘s various bike amenities, like bike parking racks as well as repair stations.
Bike-friendly SM Malls
SM Supermalls through SM Cares contributes to the growing biking culture during the pandemic with their #BikeFriendlySM campaign. One of its initial moves was the launch of bike lane infrastructure around SM Mall of Asia last September 2020. Aside from this, they have also started providing bike-related amenities in each of their malls. As we have seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, the bicycle has become an indispensable tool to get around with the limited mobility options in Manila.
SM ride commemorating World Bicycle Day 2021
The SM-to-SM ride involved five SM malls to the east of the Metro Manila:
- SM Center Tiendesitas
- SM City East Ortigas
- SM Cherry Antipolo
- SM City Masinag
- SM City Marikina
The 18.65 km ride started in SM Center Pasig at 06:30 and ended 10:30 upon arrival at SM Marikina.
SM Biker’s Manual 
Pre-ride briefing at SM Center Pasig 
Arrival at SM City East Ortigas 
Bike contingent at Cainta Junction 
Crossing the Marilaque Highway towards SM Cherry Antipolo 
Contingent biking along Marilaque Highway towards SM City Marikina 
Contingent biking along Marilaque Highway towards SM City Marikina 
End of the ride at SM City Marikina
As SM has just recently also launched its “Biker’s Manual”, the participants also gave away mini-booklets of the Biker’s Manual (in English and Filipino versions) to passing bike commuters along the way. The manual hopes to inform bike commuters about the necessary items needed for their daily commutes as well as useful tips.
Commuter-friendly bike amenities
Bicycle parking
SM mall shoppers pedalling their way to the above-mentioned malls need not worry about bike parking, as SM has begun to provide numerous bike racks for the shoppers’ convenience! The capacity of bike parking has really exploded since the beginning of the pandemic, as you can see in the photos below of the bike racks. These bike racks are able to easily accommodate different types of bikes, whether they are folding bikes with low frames, mountain bikes, mamachari bikes, and others! Thankfully, they are located within the covered (and well-lighted) parking area of the malls. Thus, you will not have to worry about the bikes getting exposed to the elements. The racks’ metal rungs are also of good quality so that you have peace of mind securing your bike.
Some of the bike racks are shown in the gallery below, so be sure to check them out especially for your next trip to SM!
Have you got photos of SM’s bike parking racks elsewhere? Share them in the comments section too!
Bicycle-repair stations
Ran a flat tire? Not to worry, because SM indeed “got it all for you!” Their bike-repair stations near the bike parking features a tire pump, various tools (like wrenches and screwdrivers), as well as a provision to hang your bike so that you can easily repair flats and other unexpected events.
Closing
It’s been a fun Saturday riding with MNL Moves and SM Supermalls to celebrate World Bicycle Day and checking out the amenities SM has to offer for its shopping-biking clients! Hopefully, this pushes the bicycle as the way to get around the metropolis even beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.
Let’s keep on pedalling and make each ride count! Ride safe!!
