Creation of a local bikeway office proposed

A lawmaker is strongly pushing for the enactment of a measure that would provide a framework
for a bicycle law on a national level so that Filipino commuters may find a cheaper alternative to get to
their destination while saving the environment from harmful emissions.
Rep. Mark A. Villar (Lone istrict! Las "i#as $ity% said &ouse 'ill ()*+ proposes the creation of
a Local 'ikeway ,ffice (L',% that would prepare plans and specifications and manage construction of
bikeway pro-ects on all thoroughfares and roads covered by the local government unit (L./% concerned.
Villar! chairman of the &ouse $ommittee on 0rade and 1ndustry! said the development of the
bicycle occurred over a period of around seventy years and yet! throughout that period! cyclists had no
legal right to use the roads or walkways.
Villar said one of the first laws related to bicycle use was enacted by the Marikina $ity $ouncil in
*))2! which dwells on the use of all streets! avenues! alleys! sidewalks! bridges! parks and other public
places as bicycle lanes.
Villar said the cities of avao! "asig! Makati and Valen3uela followed suit in enacting similar
ordinances! owing to the need of growing bike users! and at the same time! promoting its health and pro4
environment benefits.
/nder the measure to be known as the 5'icycle Act of +6*(!7 the L', shall cause the registration
of all bicycles on the bikeways and determine the manner of registration.
1t shall maintain and keep a bicycle registry where the L',! shall have formulated a system of
procedure pertinent to bicycle registration within 26 days from the approval of this Act.
8ach city or municipality shall create! through the L', and the city or municipal engineering
office! a bicycle park where provisions for bicycles are present such as but not limited to bikeways!
bicycle parking areas and similar infrastructure.
0he bicycle parks shall be funded by the city or municipality by allocating 96: of their respective
revenues raised from miscellaneous activities like parking and license fees.
0he bill also provides that all cyclists shall obey traffic regulations! signs and other control
devices applicable to vehicles! wear the appropriate gear and ensure that their bicycles are e;uipped with
reflective materials visible from both sides.
Further! all cyclists shall remain inside the designated bikeway lane! e<ercising due care when
passing a standing vehicle or a vehicle proceeding in the same direction. 0he cyclist shall also yield the
right4of4way to all traffic on such roadway when it enters or crosses a roadway.
8very cyclist shall e<ercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian! or any person
operating a bicycle or other device propelled by human or animal power! upon any road! and shall give
warning by sounding the horn when necessary.
Violators will be penali3ed with a fine of "*!666. (96% lvc
NR # 3597
SEPT. 22, 2014