Tugade to cyclists: Always practice road safety

CEBU, Philippines — The top official of the Department Transportation (DOTr) has called on cyclists to observe road safety and road etiquette at all times.

He made the call following the inauguration of the 129.66-kilometer Metro Cebu Bike Lane Network, which covers the cities of Talisay, Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu, last Friday.

 “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,” DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade said in his video message during the inauguration.

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  mayroon na pong exclusive lane para sa ating mga siklista.”

“At upang masigurong maiiwasan ang abala, aksidente at mapanatili ang kaayusan sa daan, nilagyan natin ang mga bike lanes ng pavement markings, physical separators at road signages,” he said.

Completed on June 30, 2021, the bike 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.

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 the South Road Properties in Cebu City is 2.5 kilometers long and five meters wide with three meters of pedestrian sidewalk.

The bike lane also has sheds for bike racks and is designed with solar studs and planters for greenery and trees to provide cyclists with shade.

Amid the pandemic, Tugade said the DOTr, the Department of Public Works and Highways and 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 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,” Tugade said.

For his part, DPWH Secretary Mark Villar, who also attended the inauguration, expressed his gratitude to Tugade and the whole DOTr for completing the landmark road transport project, and for promoting active transportations such as cycling.

Villar said DOTr and Tugade are focused on Cebu with all the projects initiated by the latter.

 “He always tells me that he is always in support of the Cebuanos. Definitely, biking is a focus, na ngayon lang nagkaroon ng ganitong klaseng program in any other administration,” said Villar said. — KQD (FREEMAN)