Cyclists in Davao City now have their very own "safe space" on the road after the Department of Transportation (DOTr) opened on Tuesday, July 20, the nearly 55-kilometer (km) long bike lane network in the city.
The Davao City bike lane project completes the 497-km bike lane network in Davao City, Metro Manila, and Metro Cebu which aims to promote active transport as a sustainable and efficient mode of transportation.
"These are dedicated and protected bicycle lanes. Ang ibig sabihin nito, ang mga siklista, hindi na kailangang makipagbunuan sa kalsada (This means cyclists do not have to compete for use of the road)," Tugade said in his Facebook page on Wednesday, July 21.
"You don’t have to ply the roads in fear na baka kayo ay ma-aksidente o masagi ng sasakyan o motor na nakakasabay sa daan (of getting hit by other vehicles)," he added.
The 54.71-km bike lane network in Davao was officially completed on June 30. It stretches across 14 road sections within the city, including Quimpo Boulevard, Sandawa Road, Roxas Avenue, Quezon Avenue, Quirino Avenue, E. Jacinto Extension, Dr. A. Gahol Street, Mabini Street, F. Torres Street, Loyola Street, Porras Street, Inigo Street, and Decasio Street.
To ensure the safety of bikers, the bicycle lanes have white and green pavement markings, as well as signages, bollards, bike symbols, solar studs, and concrete delineators. Bike racks are also provided to help bikers secure their bikes.
The Metro Davao bike lane project was funded under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act with a total allocation of P145.371 million.
Tugade said these projects are part of the DOTr's continued promotion of cycling and other forms of active transport, which are considered sustainable modes of transportation that are widely used in the most progressive cities in the world.