Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista called on local government units (LGUs) and law enforcement agencies to properly and strictly enforce the proper use of bike lanes amid complaints of encroachment of motorized vehicles that poses a risk to cyclists.
He issued the statement on Monday, April 29, during the inauguration of Active Transport Infrastructures in San Fernando City in Pampanga, that includes around 37 kilometers of bike lanes.
“We need strict enforcement so that these bike lanes can be used properly. So I am calling all the law enforcers of the LTO (Land Transportation Office), our police forces, to help us ensure that bike lanes are properly used,” said Bautista during the inauguration of Active Transport Infrastructures in San Fernando City.
“We spent billions of pesos for these facilities, we need to use them properly so that we would be able to justify the huge budget spent by the government,” he added.
Bautista has been actively advocating active transport infrastructure that cater more to the needs of bicycle riders and pedestrians.
On EDSA, the project is the EDSA Greenways Project that is aimed at building covered elevated pedestrian walkways leading to major transport stations in Balintawak and Cubao in Quezon City, Guadalupe in Makati and Taft Avenue in Pasay City.
Several bike lanes were either completed or have already been started, according to Bautista, including the bike lanes in Laoag City, Tagum City and Intramuros in Manila.
“We are hoping to inaugurate the one in Tagum and Intramuros in May this year,” said Bautista.
Bautista earlier committed to continuously promote non-motorized transport (NMT), such as cycling and walking, adding that the DOTr has been designating and reclaiming road space to provide safe infrastructure for more efficient and sustainable modes of transport such as bike lanes and walkways.
For this year, he said the DOTr was able to get P5 billion for the active transport infrastructure across the country.
“Pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles are being accorded the highest priority in the hierarchy of road users, and mandates the government to prioritize the development of active transport infrastructure,’ said Bautista.
“The program is expected to gain momentum after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced that the national government should prioritize active transport facilities to promote healthier and more sustainable modes of travel,” he added.
The DOTr is pushing to build at least 2,400 kilometers protected bike lanes across the country before the end of Marcos presidency in 2028.