The Davao City Sports Development Division (SDD) has reminded cyclists on Tuesday to refrain from sprint road racing at the Davao City Coastal Road during Sunday car-free periods.
SDD head Michael Denton P. Aportadera stressed that the initiative is meant for safe, inclusive recreation and not competitive cycling.
Aportadera emphasized that reports of cyclists forming groups and holding road sprints along the coastal road run counter to the program’s purpose of promoting health, wellness, and community enjoyment.
“Ginagamit nila nga lumba lumba diraa sa coastal road. Mag grupo sila, mag lumbaanay. Ginabawalan gyud na kay tungod ang car free Sundays sa coastal road is for everybody. Kanang coastal road, I have to warn you na it is not for racing, it is for recreational and physical fitness,” Aportadera said over Madayaw Davao.
Aportadera said Car-Free Sundays are open to everyone and should remain a safe space for families, runners, walkers, and casual cyclists.
Car-Free Sundays are observed every weekends from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. During this period, the northbound lane of the Davao City Coastal Road, located on the seaside, is designated for walking, jogging, and running, while the southbound lane is reserved exclusively for cycling.
Aportadera clarified that while cyclists are not prohibited from using the coastal road, activities that may endanger others will not be tolerated. Aportadera warned that racing increases the risk of accidents, which could lead to serious injuries not only to cyclists themselves but also to other road users.
Organized short road sprint racing on temporarily closed public roads is popular among cyclists and is also known as Prologue or opening stage racing. However, these are organized sprint races and are not allowed casually on ordinary days where the roads are open to other road users.
The SDD reiterated that the weekly activity goes beyond physical fitness, aiming to promote unity, encourage healthy lifestyles, and provide a shared recreational space for Dabawenyos.
Aportadera urged participants to remain considerate of others and to prioritize safety, calling on the public to help maintain Davao City’s reputation as one of Mindanao’s leading sports and wellness hubs.
