Parents Do School Hatid-Sundo Using Their Bikes: Tipid Sa Gas, Iwas Traffic

With the return of face-to-face classes comes the different funny, relatable and inspiring stories of first day of school.

One story stood out, that of parents Aaron and Ruth Galang who take their son Adaiah to kindergarten in a unique and special way–biking.

Their house is relatively far away from their son’s school–a long and challenging 12 kilometers of other motorists, bicycles, heat and rain.

Despite these challenges, Aaron and Ruth decided to push through with their decision.

“Being part of the Pinay Bike Commuter Community on Facebook, I frequently saw women cyclists from all over the Philippines and their switch to active transport—for work, errands, and yes, transporting their kids to and from school. They really made me feel empowered, Ruth told First Bike Ride, a site that encourages cycling.

Ruth only started biking in January 2022 and was still afraid to use the bicycle as the main mode of transportation.

However, with the growing community of bikers in the country, she was encouraged upon seeing stories of other moms who use their bicycles for commute.

“I followed moms who brought their kids to school, moms who lugged weeks of groceries on their bikes, and women who went to work every day on their bikes, said Ruth. 

“I wanted to be part of what these women are doing–normalizing women cycling as a means of transportation. Encouraging women that ‘Hey we can do it too!’ Ruth shared in the same interview.

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Caution: child onboard

At first, they were afraid that the bike ride might not be safe for their son Adaiah, considering that our roads are not generally bike-safe. They had to do three test runs to ensure that their son knows what to expect, how to behave in the carrier, and to let him know what possible uncomfortable situations they might face.

The orientation went great, but still as parents, they were nervous for d-day. On Adaiah’s first day of school, a group of friends decided to go with them on their special journey–biking the city streets with a 21 kg boy on the carrier.

'It's incredibly economical since gas prices are high and the route... requires passing through three schools with insane traffic.

“I was afraid motorists would not care about my son, however, I was surprised that wasn't the case. We didn't experience the usual treatment we got when it was just us husband and wife cycling, Ruth says. 

“People were much kinder and understanding. It was such a treat to see their faces when we went past them and they saw my child relaxing in his carrier, the cyclist mom says.

Even before the big day of kindergarten, they already bought a carrier for their son. Aaron and Ruth enjoy biking and they wanted to spend their time together with their son while doing something they love. 

Adaiah already knows how to ride a bike on his own but can only ride a 1-kilometer stretch.

To further ensure their safety, Ruth added a “cute warning” on their bicycle.

Ruth shared to First Bike Ride, “I saw a viral post on Facebook where a delivery rider put a photo of his family on his rear bag which gave me an idea to do the same. 

“I put a laminated printed photo of my son and myself with words saying ‘Caution: I'm on Board’ right under his cute photograph, says Ruth.

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Just like the warnings put for the student drivers, Ruth also put up a warning for the student biker.

“It even had reminders not to honk as it would scare my son, to overtake with care and that the bike was very heavy and hard to handle so be patient with us. 

“It sort of reminded motorists that we were human beings and it actually worked—cars were significantly kinder and more careful. Motorcycles gave way to us too, she says.

Aside from the bond they create while biking, they also shared other benefits. Biking is obviously cheaper, especially now that almost everything is expensive. They can also dodge the heavy traffic along the way which saves them time.

Benefits: tipid sa gas and village stickers, avoids traffic

“It's incredibly economical since gas prices are high and the route to my son's school requires passing through three schools with insane traffic. And his campus is inside a village that will require me to apply for two village passes that’s ridiculously costly. 

Sure enough, Adaiah is always up for adventure every day, and even volunteers to pack his own raincoat in case it rains.

To end her interview, Ruth shares a thought in line with Smart Parenting’s advocacy of encouraging other parents:

“I am not the first to do this, but it was through others who did it first that I found the courage to start. It is through others that brave the daily commute that I am encouraged and I only hope I am able to encourage others just as I was.”

To know more about First Bike Ride, check its Instagram.