THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority on Tuesday, March 17, opened toll-free shower facilities for cyclists at its Motorcycle Riding Academy to support workers using bicycles to report for work. The facility includes four shower rooms with hot and cold water options for male, female, and all-gender users, along with changing and bike parking areas. Cyclists can find the shower rooms at the MMDA Motorcycle Riding Academy, along Julia Vargas Avenue, corner Meralco Avenue in Pasig City. MMDA Chairman Don Artes said the agency will open similar facilities across Metro Manila to encourage more workers to shift to cycling. “We at the MMDA are implementing programs, and you can expect that we will install similar facilities all over Metro Manila to help our countrymen who cycle, especially those going to work and offices,” Artes said. “The goal here is simple — to protect the welfare of cyclists,” said MMDA General Manager Nicolas Torre III. Cycling representative Pio Fortuno Jr. of Siklista Pilipino thanked the agency for recognizing cyclists’ needs and pushing for more bike-friendly facilities. “I would like to thank the MMDA for recognizing cyclists. I hope a lot of private companies will take MMDA’s lead in installing bike-friendly facilities,” he said. Cyclists need to scan the QR code to register before using the facility, which also provides free soap and shampoo.