CEBU CITY – With the completion of the network of dedicated bicycle lanes, bikers in Metro Cebu, Metro Davao and Metro Manila will no longer have to compete with motorists for safe spaces on the roads as they pedal to work and to other places, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Art Tugade said Friday, 16 July 2021.

Sec. Tugade said the established bike lanes in these cities are also equipped with bike facilities and safety features to prevent road accidents.

“Hindi na kailangang maki-usap pa ng ating mga siklista na ‘please, please, please share the road.’ Kasi ‘ho mayroon na pong exclusive lane para sa ating mga siklista. At upang masigurong maiiwasan ‘ho ang abala, aksidente at mapanatili ang kaayusan sa daan, nilagyan natin ang mga bike lanes ng pavement markings, physical separators at road signages,” Sec. Tugade said during the inauguration of the Bike Lane Network in Cebu City.

Sec. Tugade also pointed out that amid the pandemic, the DOTr, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the other government agencies, and private sector partners, were able to complete a total of 497 kilometers of bike lanes in Metro Manila, Metro Davao, and Metro Cebu. These bike lane networks also aim to keep frontliners who ride bicycles to work safe.

“Indeed, for us at the DOTr, road safety is paramount. Kaya nga ‘ho sa kasagsagan ng pandemya, pinilit at pinipilit po naming tapusin ang mga quality at safe dedicated bike lanes. Dahilan dito, may kumpiyansa ang ating mga siklista at pedestrians, may disiplina ang ating motorista at higit sa lahat may pagbabago mula sa nakagawiang sistema sa daan,” Sec. Tugade explained.

Meanwhile, Sec. Tugade called on cyclists to observe road safety and road etiquette at all times while inside the bike lanes.

“As a mode of active transport, cycling is known for its simplicity, efficiency, and environmentally beneficial mode of transport. Gamitin po natin ito nang tama. Gamitin po natin ito nang safe. Gamitin po natin ito in the correct way we have wanted it to be,” Tugade said, adding that active transport also promotes environment protection.

Meanwhile, DPWH Secretary Mark Villar expressed his gratitude to Sec. Tugade and the whole DOTr for completing the landmark road transport project, and for promoting active transportation such as cycling.

“The DOTr, under our very hardworking, my idol, my partner, I can say that talagang Sec. Tugade is really focused on Cebu with all his projects. He always tells me that he is always in support of the Cebuanos. Definitely, biking is a focus, na ngayon lang nagkaroon ng ganitong klase ng program in any other administration,” Sec. Villar said.

Completed on 30 June 2021, the Metro Cebu Bike Lane Network features white and green pavement markings, signages, bollards, bike symbols, and concrete delineators to keep bike riders safe. The network also has solar studs, and bike racks for the convenience of bikers.

The Metro Cebu bike lane network has an overall network length of 129.66 kilometers which cuts through four (4) local government units. Of the total Cebu bike lane network, Cebu City has the longest bike lane length at 51.60 kilometers, followed by Lapu-Lapu City at 39.22 kilometers, Mandaue City at 20.31 kilometers, and Talisay City at 18.52 kilometers.

The inaugurated bike lane section along SRP Road in Cebu City is 2.5 kilometers long and five (5) meters wide with three (3) meters of pedestrian sidewalk. The bike lane also has sheds for bike racks and is designed with solar studs and planters for greeneries and trees to provide cyclists with shade. (DOTr)