94% of Filipinos support safer bike lanes, walkways — Pulse Asia

Nearly all Filipinos support the construction of safer and wider bicycle lanes and walkways, according to a Pulse Asia survey commissioned by the Mobility Awards.

Results of the survey showed 94% of respondents agreed with proposals to build safer and wider bicycle lanes and walkways.

The survey was conducted by Pulse Asia from May 23 to 26, 2026, using face-to-face interviews with 1,200 registered voters nationwide. It has a ±2.8% margin of error at the 95% confidence level for national results.

The survey also found strong public support for other transport-related measures, with 93% backing the expansion of dedicated public transport lanes and 82% supporting transit subsidies.

Meanwhile, maintaining policies that prioritize private vehicles registered the lowest level of support among the transport proposals tested, with 72% of respondents agreeing.

The Mobility Awards said the findings point to what it described as a “94% Paradox.”

Citing a 2022 Social Weather Stations study, the group said 94% of Filipino households do not own cars, yet funding for active transport infrastructure has significantly declined in recent years.

According to the group, the national budget for active transport infrastructure dropped from P2 billion in 2022 to just P105 million in 2026.

"The 94% carless majority has spoken, and our leaders must step up to protect them," said Amber Garma, national coordinator of the Mobility Awards.

"First, the President must declare active transport an economic and labor priority in his upcoming State of the Nation Address. Second, Congress must reverse years of fiscal neglect and lock in a minimum PHP 1 billion budget for active transport for 2027. Lastly, local governments must deploy their own funds to build interconnected networks for active transport," she continued.

“For the majority of our workforce, walking and cycling are not lifestyle choices—they are financial lifelines. Active transport keeps money in workers’ pockets and drives daily productivity. Yet we are stuck in a paradox where funding and infrastructure are designed to protect only the 6% who own cars,” she added.

In 2023, a Social Weather Station (SWS) survey showed the number of households in the country that used bikes rose to 36% or around 10M, from 29% or 7pm from the previous year.

Respondents were asked why they cycle, and 56% or some 5.6M cited the reason "to save on fares."

The Mobility Awards is convened by the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, MNL Moves, The Climate Reality Project Philippines, 350 Pilipinas, and Pinay Bike Commuter, in partnership with local active transport organizations nationwide. — LA, GMA News