House Bill 3952, filed by Davao City Representative Karlo Alexei Nograles last February, seeks the creation of the local bikeways office (LBO), which shall be responsible for identifying roads and highways to be provided with bike lanes.
The LBO will be mandated to plan and manage the construction of bikeways on all thoroughfares and roads within its jurisdiction. The project will be implemented in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Land Transportation Office (LTO) and other related government agencies.
Funds for the creation of bikeways and other related infrastructure such as bicycle parks and bike parking areas shall come from 30 percent of the revenues raised by local government units from the miscellaneous activities like parking and license fees.
Should the proposal become a law, the LBO will be required to create a procedure for bike registration. The records of registered bikers shall be kept and maintained by the proposed government agency.
Under HB 3952, bikers will face fines of up to P10,000 if they violate certain traffic rules, such as carrying more passengers than what the vehicle is designated to hold in the absence of a regular seat or trailer towed by the bicycle.
Nograles said in the bill’s explanatory note that the creation of bicycle lanes in the entire Philippines will help promote riding bikes among the public, which in turn will contribute to the protection of the environment and lesser traffic.
“Bicycle riding not only promotes health and leisure, but will also provide [an] alternative solution to the high prices of fuel, increasing fares, traffic, noise and air pollution and the high cost of vehicles,” he said.
Although the Metro Manila Development Authority has been constructing bicycle lanes in some major thoroughfares in Metro Manila since 2012, majority of the roads are still dedicated for the use of motor vehicles.
The lack of bike lanes is said to be one of the reasons why only a few Filipinos bike to work or their other destinations, compared to other countries.
Last February, a group of lawyers, environmental activists and community groups trooped to the Senate building in Pasay City to submit a draft bill that seeks to require local officials to build bigger sidewalks and bike lanes in their respective areas.
Under the draft bill submitted by The Share The Road movement, 30 percent of public roads shall be used for sidewalks, while another 30 percent should be designated as bike lanes.
Environmental lawyer Antonio Oposa Jr. also filed a petition before the Supreme Court to issue a “Writ of Kalikasan” for road use in the Philippines for parts of major roads to be transformed into all-weather bicycle lanes, covered sidewalks, and trams. — Xianne Arcangel /LBG, GMA News
