IN PARTNERSHIP with the United Nations Development Programme, the University of the Cordilleras has the capability now to convert manual bicycles into electronic bicycles (e-bikes) to obtain a low-carbon kind of transportation.

UC Chair of the Electronic and Communications Engineering Engr. Michael James Deus said the modified bike uses the equipment provided by the United Nations Development Programme-Low Carbon Transport Project in the Philippines.

The said modification is part of the Dalan ni Taltallak consortium which is a partnership between the city government, the Department of Transportation, and academic institutions such as UC, Saint Louis University, and the University of Baguio.

The partnership aims to conduct research and innovations toward the development and implementation of low-carbon and alternative transportation to support resilient and sustainable communities.

City Engineering Office Engr. Thea Camiring said that the UNDP provided four bike conversions to the university to successfully convert manually pedaled bikes into e-bikes.

Camiring also stated that the e-bike is 30 percent lower than the price of a 1kw electric-powered bicycle amounting to approximately P85,000 plus the cost of the bicycle amounting to P15,000.

The converted bike can run up to 60 km before charging.

The data collected from the test run of the converted e-bike will be used to provide relevant research-based guidance for the development of local policies on low-carbon and alternative transportation.