The Department of Tourism-Ilocos (DOT Region 1) on Thursday introduced 12 bike trails in the province of Ilocos Norte meant not only to revive the local economy but for the people to regain their confidence to go outdoors in the new normal.

The 12 bike routes are among the various nature trails in the province assessed and validated by the DOT from October to November, said Evangeline Dadat, chief tourism officer of the DOT Region 1.

These include the Kamadmadrian trail in Currimao, Catuguing trail in San Nicolas, Nabu trail in Batac City, Lagui downhill track in Laoag, Solsona-Apayao road bike route, Badoc Virgen Milagrosa bike route, Paoay Lake bike route, Sapat downhill track in Pasuquin, Payak trail in Pasuquin-Burgos-Bangui, Stingray trail in Pagudpud, Salsalamagui trail in Vintar and the Karingking Serrek bike trails in Solsona town, where the cycling tourism program was launched.

Alex Peralta, bike tourism consultant and part of the DOT assessment team, said there are a lot of “amazing bike trails” in Ilocos Norte to jumpstart tourism activities and inspire others to again ride their bikes and enjoy the outdoors.

Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc led a group of riders who tested the Karingking Serrek bike trails.

In his short speech, Manotoc lauded the DOT for introducing new attractions such as biking for tourism as the number of cyclists has grown during the pandemic.

But even before the pandemic, the governor said he has started to push biking since 2019 which is not only seen as a solution to reactivate tourism activities but also a means of transportation.

With a growing traffic congestion problem in Laoag for example, Manotoc said biking could be an alternative mode of transportation.

“I’m happy that it [cycling tourism] was officially launched here which could be instrumental in tourism recovery particularly in Solsona and the eastern towns of the province with huge potential for tourism development,” he said.

He said the entry of visitors in the province no longer requires testing as long as they are fully vaccinated. (PNA)