By MARK REY MONTEJO
Under cool and breezy weather condition early Saturday, Sept. 21, close to 200 local and international bikers took part in the first National Push Bike Championships at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila.
Organized by KC46, the Push Bike event was held to elevate the skills and awareness in the sport to the aspiring Filipino bikers.
“So we want to create awareness for the sport. Because na-noticed namin yung mga kids nowadays, mahilig sa YouTube. Nandun lang sila sa screens. Sa harap ng TV, sa harap ng iPad,” said Cristalle Belo Pitt, owner of Kick2Pedal.
“And the parents don’t know na may ganitong nangyayari. So by mounting a national push bike race. We want to create awareness that there is an activity like this,” she added.
Push biking, also known as balance biking, is more than just a sport — it’s also developmental tool that teaches children essential life skills such as balance, coordination, discipline, and focus. These are the building blocks for not only excelling in sports but also for overall growth and development. Kick 2 Pedal is dedicated to nurturing these skills in young Filipino children, particularly at the grassroots level, where the potential to foster talent is vast.
The sport is popular in countries like Malaysia, China, Hong Kong, Thailand and Indonesia, which Belo hopes will happen also in the Philippines in the near future.
“We’re trying to level up the skills and the pushbike community dito sa Pilipinas. So this is the first ever push bike race. And that’s why naisip namin na it has to be in a very monumental location, which is the Quirino Grandstand,” she added.
Aside from good benefits to health, it can certainly improve the bond between parents and children.
“Can you imagine? So from 2 years old all the way till 8 years old, pwede na sila ma-involve. Nakakatuwa because parents love it. It’s an activity na pwede nilang gawin kahit saan,” she continued.
“Sa bahay, sa park, sa garahe. So bike lang ng bike yung mga bata. So the kids, the parents are getting involved,” she continued.
“We’re excited to see the smiles on the faces of our young riders and the pride in their parents’ eyes,” she added. “This event is more than just a race; it’s a celebration of child wellness and development through sport.”
