Padyak Padayon is a virtual cumulative bike ride event organized by the UP Vanguard, Inc (UPVI). Last year, the UPVI through the University, Capitol, and Baguio-Northern Luzon Chapters first conducted Padyak Padayon in celebration of the organization’s centennial celebration. In pursuit of the organization's consistent commitment to support humanitarian initiatives and various projects that are aligned with its shibboleths of Duty, Honor, and Country, the alumni organization of Advance UP ROTC graduates is once again presenting this year’s Padyak Padayon 2022 which will run from 27 November 2022 to 14 February 2023.

As with last year, the virtual bike challenge will be open to everyone with the only requirements being that they should have a bike and smartphone with internet connection to record the distance covered by their biking activity. Participants will have to register on the dedicated online platform padyakpadayon.upvanguard.org to create their personal accounts and to submit their rides within the given two-month challenge period.

Biking has always been a healthy sport. It is not just a form of non-motorized transport, it is also a liberating vehicle for people who want to get off the frustrating and stressful traffic situation we all experience today.

The past two years also saw the Covid-19 pandemic severely limit access of commuters to public transportation prompting them to look for alternative mobility solutions. The obvious choice being the bicycle even with the common perception that biking on road networks is dangerous and unsafe. Potholed and extremely congested roads pose real risks to bikers’ life and limb. Add to that roads dominated by motor vehicles unwilling to share the roads with other vehicles, let alone bikers, resulting in numerous accidents daily. The sidewalks are also packed with street vendors and makeshift parking areas limiting the space even for pedestrians.

Nevertheless, bikers are encouraged by recent efforts by the government and even businesses to put up bike lanes and bike parking facilities. We believe these are efforts in the right direction. However, more still needs to be done to continue these programs and achieve our hope of safe roads in the future.

Padyak Padayon 2022 aims to bring light to this daily plight of bikers and joins the campaign to make ROAD SAFETY FOR ALL its virtual bike challenge theme to sustain and strengthen road safety initiatives and improve the overall experience of cycling and mobility in the country. We hope that through this virtual event, we would be able to raise awareness on inclusive mobility and road safety not only for bikers, but for all who use our roads.