Villar City Announces “Car-Free Sunday” Starting Nov. 10

Villar City is set to become the fourth place in Mega Manila, and the first outside the metropolis, to go fully car-free every Sunday beginning Nov. 10. 

The property located along Daang Hari Road in Bacoor, Cavite would allocate Villar Avenue between Daang Hari and Amore Avenue as the car-free zone from 06:00 am to 10:00 am. 

Once Car-Free Sundays take effect, motorists going to the Manila-Cavite Expressway via Villar City are advised to take Daang Reyna via Amore Avenue to avoid the portion of Villar Avenue that is designated as the car-free zone.

Cycling, Running Alternatives to Vermosa, Daang Reyna

Villar City is set to become an alternative for cycling and running activities in the southern suburbs of Metro Manila after Daang Reyna along the border of Bacoor and the Metro Manila suburb of Las Piñas, which has been notorious for weekend cycling races that are technically illegal, according to some members of the cycling community; and Vermosa, the Ayala-owned property in nearby Imus that has been slowly developing residences and commercial establishments while still hosting racing and fun ride events. 

While both Daang Reyna and Vermosa accommodate cyclists and runners every morning, vehicles are still using them round-the-clock and cyclists are advised to stay on the rightmost side of the road.

“Villar City opens its roads to pedestrians and cyclists for a more active and healthy way of living, providing a safe space to freely run, walk, bike, exercise, and do so much more as a community,” the developer said on a Facebook post.

Car-Free Area in the South

Many social media users expressed excitement about the announcement, saying that they are looking forward to cycling and jogging there. A few, on the other hand, have been requesting to have the car-free events extended by at least an hour, with the starting time at 05:00 am.

It is understood that Villar City, a property owned and developed by the politically-powerful Villar family, initially prohibited bicycles from using the road when it was opened for motorist use.

There are at least three locations within Metro Manila where cyclists and runners exclusively utilize roads normally used by vehicles: the daily cycling lap along Seaside Boulevard behind SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City; and the Sunday car-free events along Ayala Avenue in Makati and Roxas Boulevard in Manila.