When the pandemic put the country in a standstill,
many of the everyday yet vital services Filipinos had access to were
revoked—one of which was transportation.
The absence of public transportation due to social
distancing effectively limited every household's capability to commute for
essentials, and many relied on biking as their lifeline.
Recognizing the urgency in supporting its customers
and surrounding communities during the challenges of the pandemic, SM
Supermalls strengthened the drive for Active Mobility across all of its malls
nationwide. Since then, the mall leader has become a home and advocate for
Active Mobility, remaining consistent in forging spaces that not only
accommodate, but protect bikers.
Because of this effort, SM has won the trust and
confidence of its stakeholders in advocating for sustainable travel,
culminating in a record-breaking 34-win citation at the 2025 Mobility awards.
"What began as a heartfelt initiative to
support bikers during COVID, has now become an integrated bike program spanning
every single SM mall in the country," said SM Supermalls Executive Vice
President for Marketing, Joaquin San Agustin. "Active Mobility plays a
crucial role not just in preserving the environment but in the enrichment of
every Filipino. Thus, SM aims to continually foster the culture of biking
across its properties by creating beloved places where movement is safe, easy,
and inclusive for everyone."
Active Mobility Advances Through Coaction
Through a collaboration between its Corporate Social
Responsibility arm, SM Cares, its mall operations, and biking communities, SM
continues to refine itself as a bike-friendly space championing maxed-out
Active Mobility, cycling, and inclusive transport.
"It started with us setting up parking spots
exclusive to bikes to ease access for cyclists picking up essentials in our
malls. Then when the volume of cyclists picked up even as the lockdown eased,
we knew we had to do more for them," said Mina Kahn, SM Division Head and
Assistant Vice President for Transportation Management.
From there, bike-friendly features have become staples
even in recent developments and renovations with plans to implement more secure
bike parking, install more racks, and clearer cycling lanes around the malls.
Cycling groups also found a conducive haven for activities at SM properties.
Biking events were regularly encouraged and hosted, with surrounding tenants
adjusting operating hours to accommodate cyclists, further promoting biking not
just as a mode of transportation but as a lifestyle and sport one could
enjoy.
This in turn earned SM a total of 34 accolades at the
recent Mobility Awards: One Gold, 11 Silver and 22 bronze for nationwide mall
efforts in promoting and protecting cycling as a culture across its properties.
Additionally, the Department of Transportation (DOTr)
cited SM's sustainable approach as a demonstration of its leadership,
innovation and long-term commitment to making active transport safer and more
accessible to Filipinos. Its Pedal Power 2025 program was highlighted for this
year's Notable Advocacy Program and the SM Supermalls Sustainable Mobility and
Bike-Friendly program received a citation for Notable Development by the
Private Sector.
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About SM Supermalls
Celebrating 40 Super Years: A New Era of
SM Supermalls, Evolving With You. SM Supermalls, one of Southeast Asia’s
largest mall developers with 89 malls in the Philippines, marks four decades of
growing with Filipinos and serving as a trusted space where diverse lifestyles
and generations connect. As it enters a new era, SM Supermalls continues
evolving with you, redefining the malling experience through sustainability,
innovation, and a deep commitment to shaping the future of retail and urban
life with inclusive, meaningful experiences for all.
About SM Cares
As the Corporate Social Responsibility arm
of SM Supermalls, SM Cares is focused on enriching the lives of Filipinos
through socially-conscious and environmentally-responsible programs meant to
Empower Communities into long-lasting, impactful improvement.
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