Aerial view of newly opened bike lane on Laguna Lake Highway

A 5.8-kilometer bike lane was opened on Thursday by the Department of Public Works and Highway on the Laguna Lake Highway, which connects Taytay, Rizal to Bicutan, Taguig.

Interviewed on Unang Balita, DPWH Secretary Mark Villar, who led the inspection of the new pedestrian infrastructure, described the bike lane as "first of its kind."

An aerial view of the bike lane was posted on Twitter by Super Radyo dzBB's Luisito Santos.

WOW: 5.8-kilometer bike lane sa Laguna Lake Highway sa Taguig City, pinasinayaan ng @DPWHph ngayong araw. | via @luisitosantos03 pic.twitter.com/ieu0loTosF

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) February 7, 2019

"First time in Metro Manila na magkaroon ng independent na bike lane," Villar said as he guaranteed the safety of the lane's users.

"Minsan kasi ang ginagawa nilalagyan lang ng guhit, pero ito independent so mas safe siya," he said.

The lane has a width of three meters which, according to Villar, can accommodate a car during an emergency situation.

"Ganito ang magiging model ng DPWH sa mga kalye na may space. Gusto talaga namin lagyan ng pedestrian infrastructure tulad ng bike lane na ito," he said.

Villar encouraged motorists to try biking to save on gas and at the same time have some exercise.  —KBK, GMA News