Bike lanes in Cebu City!
After 3 years of lobbying, there was much rejoicing and celebration among advocates when "The Tindak Sugbo Lanes Ordinance" was finally approved last October 29!
City Councilor Nida Cabrera, the Ordinance proponent, reminded the City Council before the final deliberation and vote for the Sugbo Lanes that Cebu City had committed to green the city and initiate environmental programs through the previously approved City Ordinance No. 2243.
The Bike Lane ordinance is expected to promote mobility and livability in the city. It is an ordinance dedicated to the many who already bike to their workplace, and schools and to those who bike and who will bike for healthy lives and for healthy environment.
The newly-approved ordinance also calls for the creation of the Bike Lanes Board tasked with recommending bike lanes to the City Council for approval. The board will be composed of the mayor, the heads of city committees on environment and laws, CITOM, Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW), and DPWH plus 5 members from bikers' groups, transport organizations, and civil society and business sectors.
Bike racks or bike parking facilities are also expected to be provided by business and other establishments.
Enforcement shall be done by CITOM and public information and awareness, including signages and road paintings, have been assigned to the Department of Engineering and Public Works in coordination with CITOM and DPWH.
The ordinance also carries provisions for sets of rights and obligations for cyclists which include, among others, the wearing of helmets for cyclists 18 years old and below, requirement for bike licensing, registration, and license plates. No biking stunts and no biking while intoxicated are allowed. Fees and penalties will be imposed as well for violators of this ordinance which will take effect 15 days after it is published in a newspaper.
Councilor Cabrera also hopes that through this ordinance, people will be encouraged to use the bike as an alternative mode of transportation " to reduce pollution, address global warming, and slow down climate change."
Biking advocate Mishka Watin posted in her FB, " Let's continue to fight for and pedal towards a sustainable and egalitarian Cebu! Thanks for staying with us all the way. Daghan pa gihapon ta og trabahounon pagpasabot sa tanang tao sa kanindot nga dala sa pagbisikleta. Woot wooooot!!!! Let's continue to fight for our rights and work towards a better, greener, and healthier Cebu!"
Cebu City can now share with the rest of the country and the world the joy and benefits of biking, less carbon emission, more actual commitment and genuine response to avert global warming and climate change.
Mabuhay and padayon, CEBU CITY!
The passage of this ordinance highlighted the end of one struggle for environmentalists but for sure, there are still so many other campaigns to protect our earth that need to be just as relentlessly pursued from now on. To mention a few, there is still so much to be done about effective waste management, freeing our people from GMO, and ensuring healthy food security through home and community gardens.
As October comes to an end and November just in, as we remember our beloved departed and our Saints this weekend, let us do our share not to pollute our environment by being responsible for our waste when we go to church or to the cemeteries or memorial parks. You may also wish to share in anti-global warming efforts by walking or biking instead of taking cars or jeepneys during the long weekend!
Let us also include in our prayers those who lost their lives during the disasters, especially those in Leyte. From Luneta, the 40-day Climate Walk supporters are expected to cross San Juanico Bridge and be in Tacloban on the 8th of November, the anniversary of super typhoon Yolanda that claimed thousands of lives.
Let us also remember the rest of the survivors who are struggling to stand up and move on with their lives beyond the global warming-related disaster, loss, and grief.
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