CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Council has requested the Sugbo Bike Lanes Board (SBLB) to study, determine, and recommend the establishment of bike lanes in upland barangays.
In a resolution sponsored by Councilor James Anthony Cuenco, the City Council also requested the Department of Public Works and Highways- Cebu City District Engineering Office (DPWH-Cebu City) to study, determine, and establish appropriate bike lanes at the Transcentral Highway.
Cuenco said many, if not all of the city roads leading to the upland barangays and in the city portion of the Transcentral Highway, are not yet equipped with “Sugbo Bike Lanes” and are not considered bike friendly zones.
“With the absence of bike lanes and the increasing presence of bikers, these areas have become more dangerous to all road users- bikers and vehicle drivers alike,” said Cuenco.
“Road accidents involving bikers have become prevalent in the aforementioned areas that has resulted to injuries,” he added.
Cuenco said biking has become an alternative mode of transportation amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and with its popularity, many biking enthusiasts ride their way for fitness and leisure to famous locations during weekends and holidays such as those in the upland barangays of the city through the Transcentral Highway.
Last July 17, 2020, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued Memorandum Circular No. 2020-100 with subject “Guidelines for Establishment of a Network of Cycling Lanes and Walking Paths to Support People’s Mobility.”
The memorandum emphasizes that the use of bicycles and walking have been promoted as essential and safer modes of transport as these allow physical distancing.
City Ordinance No. 2408 otherwise known as the “Sugbo Bike Lanes Ordinance” also mandates the SBLB to recommend to the Sanggunian proposals for shared bike lanes/bike friendly zones in designated and allocated areas. — FPL (FREEMAN)