Bicycles: A boredom buster and lifeline amid pandemic in the Philippines - A special Straits Times report

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The lowly bicycle has helped millions of Filipinos cope with the Covid-19 pandemic.

"They say we Filipinos are resilient... For this pandemic, I don't think there's a more fitting symbol of that resilience than the bicycle," said Melvin Ayensa, 58, an artist and a long-time bike-riding advocate.

At this point, many rediscovered the bicycle. It was cheap and cost almost nothing to maintain. It didn't require petrol to run, just a pair of strong legs. A typical cyclist in Metro Manila would be male, about 35 years old, working in the service sector, with an average income of 20,000 pesos to 30,000 pesos, the study found.

It is hard work, he said. He has to wake up early in the morning to get to a wharf where fresh fish is unloaded by 3am. He buys what he needs and sets off on his regular route, covering about 15km. Usually, he makes 1,000 pesos on a good day, less than what he earned at the public market. Sometimes, there is fish left in his pails.Still, he said, it helps that money is coming in.

 

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