Bike lanes in new roads

All new or proposed expansions of roads and bridges in Cebu City will soon have bike lanes if the proposed legislation will be approved.

City Councilor Eugenio Gabuya, Jr. proposed to mandate the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to integrate bike lanes in the planning, design, and construction or expansion of bridges and roads in the city.

“The ordinance aims to serve as springboard to more sustainable environmental solutions to prevent Cebu City from further deterioration,” reads a portion of the measure.

Gabuya said there is a need to improve the welfare of all pedestrians, cyclists and other non-motorized commuters.

The proposed legislation also seeks to encourage the residents of the city to use a bicycle as an alternative mode of transportation and to reduce traffic weaving.

Gabuya defined ‘bike lane’ as a part of the road which is for the exclusive use of people riding bicycles.

“It shall be made of a bike-friendly material, separated by a physical barrier and be clearly identified with signs and or pavement markings or reflectorized painted lanes,” he said, emphasizing that motor vehicles will not be allowed to use the bike lanes.

Under Section 7 of the proposed ordinance, the DPWH is asked to implement the ordinance for national roads, while the city’s Department of Engineering and Public Works and City Planning Office will enforce the ordinance for city’s roads.

During the public hearing on January 9, the proponent of the 8.5-kilometer Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) assured members of the Cebu City Council that there is a bike lane as well as lanes for the pedestrian.

Engineer Allan Alfon, president of Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway Corp (CCLEC), said the P22.6 billion project will integrate a 1.7-meter-wide lane for bikers and cyclists and another 1.7-meter-wide lane for pedestrians and joggers.

Alfon said the bridge will have two lanes in each direction and will feature the main navigation span bridge, along with viaduct approach bridges, a causeway, roadway and toll facilities.

He also announced that the CCLEC has given the Notice to Proceed last January 8 to start the Design and Build Contract to Cebu Link Joint Venture (CLJV), a joint venture of Spain-based ACCIONA Construccion SA, and Philippines-based First Balfour Inc. and D. M. Consunji Inc.

City Administrator Nigel Paul Villarete, an urban planner and bike enthusiast, gave a 10-page personal comment and recommendations on the proposed legislation.

Villarete suggested that the proposed ordinance be seen as a transport ordinance with secondary benefits to health and ecology.

“While it can be argued that it does not matter whether the policy for Bike Lanes are based on a Transport Policy or a Health Policy or an Environmental Policy, the correct and appropriate policy direction would impact tremendously the kind of concept, program, plans, and projects that the city will pursue and execute in the future,” he said.

He said that the city already has an existing City Ordinance No. 2408 also known as “An Ordinance Providing for Shared Priority Bike Lanes in Designated Roads in Cebu City, Establishing Appropriate Traffic Rules and Regulations and providing funds and penalties for violations thereof.”

Villarete said road sharing is only applicable to roads with 10 lanes, stressing that he wanted to have protected bike lanes to provide safety for bikers.

With this, he said he is asking the City Council to adopt a protected bike lane concept policy instead of road-sharing.

“The Bike Lane Ordinance should be implemented under the right policy, with sound economic viability, and with environmentally sustainable transport in mind,” he added.