Shell and MBC support biking as active transport

PHOTO: Signing the MOU to promote biking as an active transport in the country, from left; Serge Bernal, Vice President – Corporate Relations of Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation; Lorelie Quiambao-Osial, Pilipinas Shell Country Chair; Edgar Chua, MBC Chairman; and Trisha Teope, MBC Programs and Projects Officer.

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Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation and the Makati Business Club (MBC) have entered a partnership to encourage the public to take up biking as active transport. The initiative is one more step towards increasing the development of active and sustainable mobility which can lessen carbon emissions, decongest traffic, and promote health and well-being.

Under the signed Memorandum of Agreement, both parties will support and encourage the biking community by making it more convenient, comfortable and safe for them to use their bicycles to get to their destinations. This includes the conduct of safety training, and the development of more facilities and amenities that will enhance the mobility of cyclists.

The implementation is set to start in some of Shell’s Mobility Stations which have dedicated alfresco areas and customized stop-and-go bicycle racks.  For example, in Shell sites in Silang, Cavite, Tagaytay, and Cebu, forecourt service champions provide maintenance and other services to bikers while they relax and enjoy their favorite food and beverages from Shell Select stations and other partner shops. 

“At Shell, the customer is at the center of what we do. That means having an inclusive base of customers and catering to all types of customers. We have the more conventional type of customers, but we also have the active customers. We want to ensure that their journeys are accessible, convenient, and transformative,” says Pilipinas Shell Country Head Lorelie Quiambao-Osial.

Acknowledging MBC as “one of Shell’s ideal partners,” she also acknowledged the organization’s capability to “bring different groups of people together in harmonious relationships.”  The partnership is also intended to promote “governance, the Philippines’ socio-economic growth, and making sure we have an inclusive and sustainable society.”

MBC President Ed Chua said that the organization is “proud and honored” to partner with Shell, “the most preferred brand when it comes to mobility. It is serious about sustainability and mobility.  First, Shell put up retail sites in strategic locations providing clean fuels and then amenities like convenient stores and clean toilets for the comfort of its motorists. Now it is providing for bikers a place that welcomes them.”

Chua added that the project began in partnership with the Dutch Embassy, as the Netherlands is well known for its leadership in adopting active transport.  The collaboration between Shell and MBC is expected to result in more of the population riding bikes, reducing traffic gridlock and air pollution. Key performance indicators will be established to monitor the progress of the initiative. 

According to the World Bank, the Philippine biking community grew significantly during the pandemic, causing the government to build 500 kilometers of bike lanes in just less than a year. Quiambao-Osial is   happy about this development: “Biking brings about benefits to the community, society, and one’s health. As a society, we need to be inclusive of all types of mobility. We are here not only for the business aspect of mobility that promotes socio-economic growth, but we are always looking at an inclusive and more sustainable society.”