DOTr, DPWH, and partners open Cebu Bike Lane Network

Bikers in Cebu now have a dedicated lane after the government recently inaugurated the Bike Lane Network there.

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Art Tugade said that bikers will no longer have to compete with other motorists in using the road, noting that that the established lanes have been segregated with safety features to help prevent road accidents.

The Metro Cebu Bike Lane Network — which was completed last June 30 —features white and green pavement markings, signs, bollards, bike symbols, and concrete delineators. It also has solar studs and bike racks with sheds for bikers' convenience.

“Hindi na kailangang makiusap pa ng ating mga siklista na ‘please, please, please share the road.’ Kasi ho meron na pong exclusive lane para sa ating mga siklista. At upang masigurong maiiwasan ‘ho ang abala, aksidente at mapanatili ang kaayusan sa daan, nilagyan natin ang mga bike lanes ng pavement markings, physical separators at road signages (Cyclists no longer have to ask other motorists to share the road with them as they now have their own exclusive lane. And to ensure that accidents would be prevented and orderliness is maintained, we have placed pavement markings, physical separators and road signages)," Tugade said during the inauguration of the Cebu Bike Lane Network.

Further, the Metro Cebu bike lane network has an overall network length of 129.66 kilometers that runs through four local government units. Cebu City has the longest lane with 51.60 kilometers, followed by Lapu-Lapu City at 39.22 kilometers, Mandaue City at 20.31 kilometers, and Talisay City at 18.52 kilometers.

According to Tugade, the dedicated bike lanes that are now found in three key locations (Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, and Metro Davao) with a total stretch of 497 kilometers.

Tugade noted that the bike lanes in the metropolises — created with the help of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), other government agencies, and private sector partners — were also built to keep the bicycle-riding frontliners safe.

“Indeed, for us at the DOTr, road safety is paramount. Kaya nga ho sa kasagsagan ng pandemya, pinilit at pinipilit po naming tapusin ang mga quality at safe dedicated bike lanes. Dahilan dito, may kumpiyansa ang ating mga siklista at pedestrians, may disiplina ang ating motorista at higit sa lahat may pagbabago mula sa nakagawiang sistema sa daan (That is why even during at the height of the pandemic, we are have done and continuously doing our best to finish these quality and safe dedicated bike lanes. With this, cyclists and pedestrians will have more confidence, motorists will be more disciplined and most of all, there is change from the system on the road from what many are accustomed to)," Tugade explained.

Meanwhile, Tugade called on cyclists to observe road safety and road etiquette while in the bike lanes. “As a mode of active transport, cycling is known for its simplicity, efficiency, and environmentally beneficial mode of transport. Gamitin po natin ito nang tama. Gamitin po natin ito nang safe. Gamitin po natin ito in the correct way we have wanted it to be (Let us use this in the right manner. Let us use this safely and let us use this in the correct way we have wanted it to be.),” Tugade said.

Photos from Department of Transportation

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