House panel OKs bill institutionalizing bicycles as mode of transportation

The House Committee on Appropriations on Wednesday approved a measure that institutionalizes the use of bicycles as an alternative mode of transportation and the funding of appropriate infrastructure and facilities for bicycle riders.

Bayan Muna Representative Ferdinand Gaite, principal author of the bill, said that bicycles are a good transportation option for the public, especially in this time of pandemic when the passenger capacity in public utility vehicles is limited.

“In this time of pandemic, active transportation has become an important component in mobilizing our people to their destinations. Considering that transportation has become an excruciating problem for many of our kababayans,” he said.

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Assistant Secretary Alberto Suansing said they welcome the proposed bill, noting that they have completed a total of 497 kilometers of bike lanes in Metro Manila.

The DOTr is also proposing to effectuate the bike lane operations in other areas such as Cebu and Davao for the meantime under the Bayanihan 1 and 2 programs.

Gaite further said that the mandate is seeking the DOTr to develop bike lanes in national highways, as well as in city and provincial roads.

“Tulad sa ibang mga bansa, ‘yung kahalagan ng bike lanes not only inter-city but also intra-city, ‘yung sa labas po, ay importante ‘rin. Kung mapapansin niyo ay talagang naga-allocate [sila] ng bike lanes. As of now, wala tayong ganun,” he explained.

“Sana in the future, mag-allocate din tayo ng resources for that. Ganun po ‘yung ine-envision na program for bike lanes kahit sa mga national highways.”

(In other countries, they show importance in bike lanes by allocating them not only in inter-city but also intra-city. As of now, the Philippines doesn’t have that. We hope that in the future, we allocate resources for that as we envision bike lanes even in national highways.)

Representative Mark Go further asked the DOTr to also consider establishing bike lanes in Baguio after the three priority areas. — BM, GMA News