Senate passes Safe Pathways Network bill on second reading
THE Senate has approved on second reading the bill that aims to provide safe and convenient pathways for Filipinos who prefer to walk or use non-motorized vehicles such as bicycles and electric personal mobility devices to get to their destinations.
Sen. Pia S. Cayetano, the bill’s principal author and sponsor and herself a bike enthusiast, said that the passage of Senate Bill 1582, or the Safe Pathways Network bill, will primarily benefit the growing local biking community.
“This is good news for all bicycle advocates and enthusiasts. Because during this time of Covid-19, there were more people who wanted to use a bicycle to get to work,” said Cayetano, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS), Innovation and Futures Thinking.
“We must provide infrastructure that would encourage and accommodate sustainable and healthy modes of transportation such as walking, biking, and the use of other nonmotorized vehicles,” she added.
Under the proposed measure, a Safe Pathways Network will be established throughout the country, consisting of bicycle lanes and “slow streets” along local roads that will provide pedestrians and non-motorized vehicle users safe and convenient access to frequented destinations.
Non-motorized vehicles include bicycles, skates, skateboards, push scooters and hand carts, while electric bicycles and electric kick scooters are referred to as electric personal mobility devices, according to the bill.
Bicycle lanes shall be physically separated from the main road through physical barriers, or shall be elevated, or constructed separately from the main road. Painted road markers may also be used for roads with limited space.
Motor vehicles, meanwhile, will have restricted access to slow streets and speed limits will be put in place on certain days or hours.
Cayetano added that the proposed measure would promote a healthy lifestyle among Filipinos and benefit the environment due to reduced carbon emissions and less use of energy and resources.