Bicycle lanes to be established in Davao City
Published May 27, 2020 12:00 am
By Antonio Colina IV
DAVAO CITY – The Davao City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) is set to identify and inspect more streets in preparation for the establishment of bicycle lanes in Davao City, a major development in the 10-year battle of environmentalists and cycling advocates here to implement the Ordinance No. 0409-10 or the Bicycle Ordinance, Interface Development Interventions (IDIS) executive director Chinkie P. Golle said.
Amid the absence of bike lanes, cyclists continue to rise in Davao City due to limited public transportation. (Keith Bacongco / MANILA BULLETI)
In an interview, Golle said Mayor Sara Duterte has already instructed CTTMO head Dionisio Abude to implement the ordinance and present a route plan, including the “needs and other requirements” for the bicycle lanes.
Authored by late Councilor Leonardo Avila, one of the city’s environmental champions, the ordinance provides that the CTTMO shall designate the routes to be considered as “signed shared roadways or signed bike routes” and install signs along the routes to “indicate to the bicycle users that particular advantages exist in using the route and more importantly to serve as notice to motorized vehicle drivers that bicycle traffic is present.”
In her interview over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR 87.5) on Tuesday, Duterte said she has already discussed with Abude to study the implementation of the bicycle lanes in recognition of the growing clamor of the advocates here for bicycle lanes to ensure the safety of the cyclists since several Dabawenyos are seen riding their bikes on the roads in the time of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
“I discussed it earlier with CTTMO to study the bike lanes for its implementation,” she said.
Golle said she welcomed this long-overdue development, and hoped it would finally be implemented since there was already an immediate need to secure the safety of the growing number of cyclists on the road.
“Biking is a better and healthier option for the environment and public health but we are also concerned about their safety. So, the bike lanes and/or routes will help protect them from accidents,” she said.
“We also urge the CTTMO to prioritize this. Let the people bike to work but you have to install bike lanes and routes for their safe travel. No more excuses please,” she added.
Amid the absence of bike lanes, cyclists continue to rise in Davao City due to limited public transportation. (Keith Bacongco / MANILA BULLETI)
In an interview, Golle said Mayor Sara Duterte has already instructed CTTMO head Dionisio Abude to implement the ordinance and present a route plan, including the “needs and other requirements” for the bicycle lanes.
Authored by late Councilor Leonardo Avila, one of the city’s environmental champions, the ordinance provides that the CTTMO shall designate the routes to be considered as “signed shared roadways or signed bike routes” and install signs along the routes to “indicate to the bicycle users that particular advantages exist in using the route and more importantly to serve as notice to motorized vehicle drivers that bicycle traffic is present.”
In her interview over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR 87.5) on Tuesday, Duterte said she has already discussed with Abude to study the implementation of the bicycle lanes in recognition of the growing clamor of the advocates here for bicycle lanes to ensure the safety of the cyclists since several Dabawenyos are seen riding their bikes on the roads in the time of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
“I discussed it earlier with CTTMO to study the bike lanes for its implementation,” she said.
Golle said she welcomed this long-overdue development, and hoped it would finally be implemented since there was already an immediate need to secure the safety of the growing number of cyclists on the road.
“Biking is a better and healthier option for the environment and public health but we are also concerned about their safety. So, the bike lanes and/or routes will help protect them from accidents,” she said.
“We also urge the CTTMO to prioritize this. Let the people bike to work but you have to install bike lanes and routes for their safe travel. No more excuses please,” she added.