Davao City bike lane now open

This means that cyclists will not have to compete for the road with motorists

Department of Transportation (DoTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade on Tuesday led the opening of the 54.744 kilometer bike lane network in Davao City even as he assured that cyclists in the city now have their own safe space while on the road.

In a virtual opening ceremony, the Transport chief stressed that the bike lanes are dedicated and designed to protect cyclists and motorists as well.

“This means that cyclists will not have to compete for the road with motorists and it will also ensure their safety while going on trips,” Tugade said. “These well-designed dedicated bike lanes are for them.”

Davao City’s bike lane project completes the 497 kilometer bike lane network in Davao City, Metro Manila and Metro Cebu to promote active transport as a sustainable and efficient mode of transportation.

The bike lane network project was officially completed on 30 June 2021 and spans across 14 road sections within Davao City to include Quimpo Boulevard, Sandawa Road, Roxas Avenue, Quezon Avenue, Quirino Avenue, E. Jacinto Extension, Dr. A. Gahol Street, Mabini Street, F. Torres Street, Loyola Street, Porras Street, Inigo Street and Decasio Street.

The Davao City bike lane project completes the 497 kilometer bike lane network in Davao City, Metro Manila and Metro Cebu.

To ensure the safety of bikers, the bicycle lanes have white and green pavement markings, signages, bollards, bike symbols, solar studs and concrete delineators. Bike racks are also provided to help bikers secure their bikes.

The Metro Davao bike lane project was funded by the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act of 2020 with a total allocation of P145.371 million.

Tugade, meantime, stressed that the agency’s continued promotion of cycling and other forms of active transport are considered as sustainable modes of transport widely used in the most progressive cities in the world.

The completion of the bicycle lane project also fulfills the goals of sustainability and renewability of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio as she expressed her gratitude to the DoTr and the Department of Public Works and Highways or including her city in the country’s bike lane project.

“By providing Davaoeños with bicycle lanes, they are able to safely maximize usage of their bicycles whether as a mode of transportation for work or business or as a means for exercise and leisure activities. Biking is a key mechanism in the fulfillment of the city’s sustainability and renewability goals,” Duterte-Carpio said.

Meanwhile, DoTr Assistant Secretary Steve Pastor said the bike lane project will help hasten economic recovery by championing road safety and the importance of road sharing with the establishment of bike facilities.