Citizens distribute reflective sashes to bikers and here's how you can help
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This group has found a simple way to help promote the safety and visibility of bikers!
Photos of bike advocates have been going the rounds on the internet, getting praises from netizens for their act of kindness amid the COVID-19 crisis.
As people turn to biking as their primary mode of transportation amid the quarantine, citizens promoting bike safety step up to help their fellow bikers.
In a post shared by Bikers United Marshalls, a couple can be seen distributing reflective sashes to bikers for free. They encourage bikers to wear this gear to help them be more visible as they pedal their way to their destination and back home.
This “noble action” as described by the post is actually part of a bigger effort by the UP Mountaineers (UPM) under their #KitaKa project led by Jojo Gutierrez, Pio Fortuno, Nokman Jaravata, and Nikko Dumas.
In an exclusive interview with GMANetwork.com, Jojo expressed his concern for the increase of bike commuters.
He said, “Without public transportation, the bicycle became a lifesaver for the commuting public. We noticed that the new bike commuters did not have safety reflectors. We just had to help because we anticipated accidents waiting to happen.”
Among the measures of a safe bike ride include wearing a helmet, but Jojo and his group noticed that most bike commuters do not own one.
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“A lot of the new bikers spent anywhere from PhP 2,000 to PhP 10,000 to get a bicycle. That amount is significant for a lot of people. Helmets and other safety devices, sadly, were probably the least of their priorities,” he continued.
To compensate, Jojo and his group came up with a simple yet effective solution via #KitaKa.
A longer note from the UPM page provided more details, saying, “Since visible bikers are safer bikers, our small team of UPM members came up with the idea of designing reflector sashes.
"And after a week of sourcing materials and testing prototypes, #KitaKa was created. Easy to make, and at PhP 20 per piece, these reflectors are a cost-effective solution.
“In over one week of distribution, #KitaKa has provided sashes to almost 1,500 happy bikers in high-traffic areas in Quezon City, Pasig, and Valenzuela. The smile on each biker's face when they receive a reflector is priceless.”
The organization has also opened an account for anyone who wishes to donate in the production of more reflectorized sashes.
Further, they also shared instructional materials so other people can replicate their effort.
Tough times remain but we can always make kindness multiply!
