Weekend fun ride

DoT and PTA stage first Bike Festival Asia to promote tourism in Central Luzon

More than 500 bike enthusiasts wove their way through Clark and Subic in the first Bike Festival Asia (BFA) spearheaded by the Department of Tourism (DoT) and the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA).

PTA General Manager Mark Lapid said the BFA aims to boost and promote the use of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) which is now the country’s longest expressway traversing the provinces of Tarlac, Pampanga, Bataan, and Zambales in Central Luzon.

“This fun ride event aims to promote tourism in Central Luzon through the use of the SCTEX because this 94-kilometer expressway was built for the purpose of attracting investors worldwide through the integration of all economic activities in the Subic Freeport, Clark Special Economic Zone, and the Central Techno Park in Tarlac,” Lapid said.

Aside from providing motorists with a fast and convenient route, the expressway also offers a scenic view of the mountains and open fields. BFA riders saw this for themselves when they traversed the SCTEX from the Expo Filipino in Clark, Pampanga to Remy Field, Subic, Olongapo City.

Lapid also said the BFA is the ideal venue to get everyone involved in a worthy cause. Not only does it help spread awareness about the health benefits of biking, but it also promotes the tourism potentials of Central Luzon.

“Bike Festival Asia is poised to offer a wonderful experience for everyone. Central Luzon offers a lot of tourist attractions that are waiting to be explored and enjoyed and Bike Festival Asia is the best way to get people started,” he also said.

Aside from the bike run for both professional and recreational bikers, the event also featured trade shows promoting the delicacies and tourist hot spots of Pampanga and Subic.

[ Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway Wiki ]