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Best Biking Routes In Metro Manila

Bike shops in Manila and all over the country flourished during the pandemic. When public transportation was halted, bicycles took over the streets—serving as an alternative means of transport or simply as a new hobby to cope with stress.

If you’re among the new bike owners looking for places to enjoy your newfound hobby, we’ve listed down the best biking routes in Metro Manila. For seasoned cyclists, see which biking hotspots you may have missed!

 

 

Things to Note

The list below is made to serve as a reference for bikers. Be sure to check the latest guidelines on outdoor activities before heading out. 

As of August 10, 2021, exercises or outdoor activities are NOT allowed in NCR under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ). Under Modified ECQ (MECQ), contactless outdoor activities such as biking would be allowed within a certain period during the day. If you’re biking with friends, be sure to maintain physical distancing and always wear a face mask and face shield.

Check announcements and the latest guidelines from your local government before taking your bike out.

 

 

Bonifacio Global City, Taguig

via Bonifacio Global City on Facebook

Bonifacio Global City is probably our top favorite biking haven in the metro. It has integrated an active lifestyle very well into an urban district that’s also known to be creative and passionate. The sidewalks are wide enough for both pedestrians and bikers to enjoy the space. If you’re a beginner, you can practice biking with peace of mind as BGC has bike lanes all around as well as bike-friendly parks. In addition, there are also parking spots for bicycles and, just recently, even repair stations!

 

 

Makati CBD & Ayala Triangle Gardens

via Make It Makati on Facebook

Practically the whole central business district of Makati is a wonderful place to work the pedals. At its heart is Ayala Triangle Gardens, a popular jogging spot but also a great biking route. There are bike lanes on major thoroughfares, and the laidback villages of Salcedo and Legaspi easily attract bikers with their laidback roads and bike-friendly parks with parking racks. You can easily transfer between these places through pedestrian underpasses equipped with bike ramps. 

 

 

SM Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay

via SM Mall of Asia Official on Facebook

SM Mall of Asia has also recently improved its infrastructure for cyclists, adding bike lanes, parking racks, and repair stations that are all free of charge. If you live near the mall, you’d be more inclined to take your bike rather than a car with these facilities. The best section of the biking route is along Seaside Boulevard, which complements your activity with the invigorating view of the sunset on Manila Bay

 

 

Filinvest City, Alabang

via Filinvest City on Facebook

Down south, Filinvest City is also a very popular pedestrian and bike-friendly CBD. There’s ample space for bikers in the midst of its skyscrapers, with canopied lanes and bike racks. But that’s just the beginning—if you’ve got an MTB longing for a rough trail, just head to Filinvest MTB Trail. Here, you can practice mountain biking on trails of dirt and rock and slopes of varying difficulty. No need to get out of the city just to get your dose of MTB adventure!

 

 

La Mesa Nature Reserve, Quezon City

via La Mesa Ecopark & La Mesa Nature Reserve on Facebook

Another great option for mountain biking is La Mesa Nature Reserve, located within the vast La Mesa Watershed Reservation. Away from skyscrapers, towering trees reign here. Bike trails run through a vast forest, the perfect playground for MTB enthusiasts in the metro. There’s an entrance fee of PHP 200/head for groups of 5-10 people or PHP 1,000 for solo or smaller groups. Having a guide with you is a requirement, which is covered by the fee, and activities are limited to 3 hours.

 

 

Intramuros, Manila

via Bambike on Facebook

Travel bike in time in Intramuros! Biking is a unique way to explore the walled city, where you can soak in the old-world ambiance as you pedal along cobblestone streets. Bambike tours and rentals are also popular in Intramuros. Even if you don’t have your bike or just want to experience riding a bamboo bike, you can rent one starting at PHP 100 per hour.

 

 

Marikina River Park, Marikina

via Judgefloro, CC0 on Wikimedia Commons

Marikina River Park is a well-loved biking destination on the easternmost side of the metro, a close neighbor of Antipolo, Rizal. Bike along the 11-km tree-lined riverbank, where you can pass by places worth a stopover such as themed gardens, Instagrammable mosaic murals, and quaint cafes. The pathway is closed to motor vehicles so you can easily savor the peaceful riverside atmosphere. There are benches under trees that can serve as rest stops.

 

 

Find more activities and online experiences you can enjoy safely on KKday!

 

 

*Featured image via Make It Makati / Filinvest City

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