MANILA, Philippines - In an effort to reduce carbon emission in the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) complex, a lane has been dedicated exclusively to cyclists, joggers, runners and pedestrians.

Called the "green lane," the 3.5-kilometer lane stretches from Roxas Boulevard to Macapagal Boulevard. It will be officially launched on Sunday, September 12, with a 7-kilometer bike run led by celebrities.

There will also be free bike clinics and tune-ups, a bike exhibit and installation of bicycle racks in selected areas of the CCP.

"(The green lane aims to) encourage the use of bicycles for work and leisure (and to) establish the CCP complex as a sanctuary for culture, nature and health in the urban sprawl," CCP said in a statement.

Climate change, which has caused a number of natural disasters, is largely caused by carbon emissions released into the atmosphere by human activities such as industrial and transport-related air pollution.

The World Wildlife Fund has said that walking or riding a bike can reduce emissions by 20 pounds for every gallon of gasoline used in automobiles.

A recent study showed that biking 5 minutes a day can help keep unwanted pounds off, particularly of middle-aged women.

The research, led by Dr. Anne Lusk, Ph.D. of the Harvard School of Health, revealed that middle-aged women who rode their bicycles for 5 minutes a day gained about 1.5 fewer pounds than those who didn't take up the sport.

Scientists said the findings should encourage women not to give up exercise when they think it's too difficult.