MANILA, Philippines?Walk, bike, and ride the train. This is the message of the 11th Tour of the Fireflies in celebration of Earth Day Wednesday. They encourage people to use these cheap, alternative, and sustainable forms of transportation.

Last Sunday, April 19, in a pre-event, some 6,000 bikers, dressed as fairies, butterflies, forest folk, angels, and even aliens pedaled from Tiendesitas in Pasig, through Quezon City, Makati, and Mandaluyong via Metro Manila?s main thoroughfare, EDSA.

The colorful parade of cyclists slowly rolled by participating cities, surprising people on their way to mass or malls.

After four hours, they swarmed the business district of Makati, enduring not just the grueling summer heat, but also the toxic fumes on Metro Manila?s busiest road. But generous water and rest stops along the 43-km ride made it bearable.

With the theme Bike to Work, Bike to School, and Bike to Play, these pro-earth cyclists who call themselves fireflies noted how covering almost all of EDSA was a first for them.

?Reduce the country?s carbon footprint? is the call of this mardi gras on wheels.

Why bike? Because a bike is affordable to maintain, gives off no fumes, is virtually noise-free, requires no expensive imported fuel, and is an efficient way to exercise the body.

As part of its advocacy, the group also lobbies for sustainable transportation and more bike spaces in communities and commercial establishments.

The 11th Tour of the Fireflies calls on the strict implementation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo?s Administrative Order 254 encouraging our countrymen to walk, bike and ride the train. It also commemorates the 10th anniversary of the passing of the Philippine Clean Air Act.

After the tour, the fireflies had a short program that included the awarding of prizes for best costume, largest contingent, oldest and youngest participant, and other contest categories.

Firefly Lighting Products, Spyder protective eyewear, bike products, and other giveaways were raffled off to participants. Companies like 7-Eleven, Pocari Sweat, Deuter, Lungcaire, ROX, MTPRO Bikes, and Julie?s Bakeshop also lent their support.

In other parts of the country, in the cities of Baguio, Bacolod, Cagayan De Oro, and Puerto Princesa, more than 1,000 bikers participated in synchronized rides for their own Bike for Clean Air event.

Philippine Daily Inquirer, Men?s Health Magazine, The Radio Partners, and Campaigns and Grey helped promote the event and inform the public on clean air initiatives, while officers and staff of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, and the Philippine National Police helped keep the roads for the bikers safe.