Global Youth Coalition Member Feature: John Isidore Pablo
1. Where are you connected right now? Tell us about the work you’re doing.
I develop and facilitate behavior-based safety training for safe bike commuting. I offer this to different groups who want to have or even conduct safety training seminars.
I'm also a member of the Bikers United Movement, a group of cyclists based in Metro Manila, Philippines that advocates for Inclusive Mobility and Sustainable Transport that benefits ordinary Filipinos.
We collaborate with different Local Government Units, Non-Government Organizations, and private entities in organizing and implementing projects around active and sustainable mobility. These activities include conducting bike clinics and providing road marshals for bike commuters.
2. How did you first get involved in road safety and how long have you been working in the road safety and sustainable mobility field?
In 2010, I had the chance to work in a consultancy firm that specializes in road safety. Here, I became one of the safety training facilitators for our clients. However, in 2017 I left the company to pursue a different career.
In 2020, my advocacy for road safety was revived when I saw the need to help the rising number of bike commuters in Metro Manila as a result of the paralyzed transportation system brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of the bike commuters were first-timers, cycling on major roads and dealing with traffic. As a road safety advocate, I would like to share my knowledge to prevent cyclists from getting involved in road crashes.
3. Can you tell us a little bit about the road safety and sustainable mobility situation in your area
When the pandemic hit us and the transportation system was paralyzed, many low-to-mid-income workers chose to use bicycles for their daily commute. This development obliged several government agencies to put-up bike lanes around key areas within Metro Manila. However, despite the government’s efforts to adapt to the "new normal" of mobility, these efforts seemed insufficient to make our roads safer for all users, especially pedestrians and cyclists.
At present, our mass transportation system is poor and not commuter friendly, especially when it comes to the busway system at the EDSA Highway.
Sustainable mobility is often ignored and bike lanes are not properly designed and maintained. Most sidewalks are obstructed by either commercial establishments which make use of these spaces as parking or by the residents who use the sidewalks as an extension of their properties.
Our footbridges are not inclusive to all pedestrians and serve more as a challenge for elders and differently-abled (PWD) citizens. Further, most drivers have a low sense of safety, which is a critical factor in avoiding road crashes. Worst still is that traffic crashes have been a normal part of our everyday lives, often being one of the stories in the daily news bulletin.
In my opinion, our government needs to properly assess the current state of our roads, evaluate their strategies in place, and look for alternative ways to improve the safety and sustainability of our roads.
4. Why do you think it’s important to include young people in local and global road safety efforts?
Road crashes have been the leading cause of death for young people around the world and that’s unacceptable. Thousands of young people dying every year should be stopped. Involving the youth sector is one of the best ways to make our roads safe. Young people are goal-driven, energized, persistent, and happy workers - they are the best allies in our advocacy. They can greatly contribute to our road safety efforts.
5. Why did you join the Global Youth Coalition for Road Safety
I joined the Youth Coalition to enhance my knowledge and develop my skills in road safety and advocacy. I am confident that this will greatly help me in contributing to my community by raising road safety awareness.
