Cebu City bike lanes move closer to fruition

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City government, through the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO), has started painting the bike lanes green as part of the efforts to fulfill its promise months ago -- the establishment of bike lanes in its streets.

"Gituyo nga dili lang taphaw o basta lang nga moagi ta og bike lanes, apan gihimo ni nga usa ka scientific, systematic, accessible nga bike lanes nga moencompass gyud. Buot pasabot, molukop gyud sa tibuok Dakbayan sa Sugbo in the light of the impending implementation of the BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) project dinhi sa ato nga dakbayan," said City Legal Officer Rey Gealon, City Hall spokesperson, in a virtual press conference yesterday.

"Inyong masaksihan nga karon diha sa may dan V. Rama, ang green nga lane nga naa sa outermost lane sa matag dan, unya naay outline nga puti. Unya, mailhan ninyo na bike lane kay naay drawing o design sa lane nga gipintalan og green, ang outline sa hulagway sa bike," he said.

Gealon said the bike lanes are based on the route provided by the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO).

The implementation of the bike lanes will start with the downtown area, where a complete loop will be established.

The first phase would start from Barangay Labangon, Banawa, Barangay Guadalupe, going to Fuente Osmeña Circle, then to the old Mango Avenue (General Maxilom Avenue), going to the Cebu Business Park, proceeding to a portion of Mabolo, going back to Imus Avenue, M.J. Cuenco Avenue, passing through Sto. Niño and Plaza Independencia, and connect back to Banawa.

The next phase would include a bike lane to Barangay Lahug and Barangay Talamban in the north, while extending to the main road, the Natalio Bacalso Highway, for the south.

The last phase would be the South Road Properties (SRP).

"Atangi sa mosunod nga mga adlaw nga malukop na nato ang kinatibuk-ang Dakbayan sa Sugbo ining bike lanes. Kana subay sa usab sa kamandoan sa atong mayor nga ang katawhan di na maglisod sa pagsakay," said Gealon.

"Ang uban miadapt ug miembrace na niining healthy lifestyle. Gawas ining atong pagpakigkombati sa COVID-19, importante malig-on ang atong immune system ug usa ka matang sa pagpalig-on niana, gawas sa pagtumar og tambal o Vitamin C, mao ang kanunay nga ehersisyo. Ato mang makit-an sa kadanan nga daghan na ang nagbike, so kini alang kanila nga mosud gawas o maoy gamiton nga mode of transportation ang bike," he said.

Gealon said the budget for the painting of the entire bike lane route is embedded in the CCTO budget as an Engineering Section is present in the said office.

No amount was mentioned yet.

"Apil niana ang rubberized paint. Mao nay gigamit pagpamintal sa mga loading and unloading areas... apil na ang mga pedestrian lanes sa pagpamintal ug ang uban nga areas diin kinahanglan og road marking," said Gealon.

Last June, Mayor Edgardo Labella announced that a group composed of enthusiasts and public officials will be created to study the areas and streets where bike lanes can be established and how the lanes can impact traffic. — JMD (FREEMAN)