Senate renews calls for development of bike lanes
As oil prices continue to soar without any signs of a downtrend, the calls for the use of bicycles and the provision of bike lanes have been renewed in the Senate.
Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile led yesterday the call for the use of bicycles as an alternative means of transportation in order to save on fuel, decongest traffic and improve air quality.
Enrile said that in his younger days, he would ride a bicycle from Metro Manila to Isabela from time to time and would regularly travel from Malabon to Manila.
"We will become more physically fit as a people," Enrile said on the use of bicycles.
A bill has actually been filed in Senate by Sen. Juan Flavier, calling for the provision of bicycle lanes on all main roads and highways in the country.
In his proposal, Flavier called for the designation of bicycle lanes on all main roads and highways under the supervision of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
He said that funding for the program would come from the appropriations of the DPWH.
"In a third world country like the Philippines with an acute transportation shortage and an ever-worsening air pollution problem, foot-powered bicycles may yet become one of the most efficient, inexpensive and practical means of public transport," Flavier said in the explanatory note of his bill.
The senator pointed out that his bill is a "legislative response to the need to conserve energy, minimize air pollution and provide commuters with an alternative mode of transport."
Sen. Pia Cayetano acknowledged yesterday the need for bicycle lanes for the protection of cyclists like her.
She noted that motorists in general are not used to driving alongside bicycles and this puts cyclists at risk.
While expressing support for Flaviers bill, Cayetano said a comprehensive plan for cyclists must be formulated in order to be effective.
Cayetano said she registers a total of 200 kilometers a week on her bike on all types of roads.
Instead of immediately tackling the matter on a national level, Cayetano suggested that the focus be placed initially on community level such as those that are near work areas.
"I encourage and challenge MMDA (Metropolitan Manila Development Authority) Chairman Bayani Fernando who comes from Marikina where they have bike lanes that are effective, to use a small model," she said.
The senator explained that communities near commercial areas could be used as model areas because of their proximity to work.
Cayetano urged private companies to subsidize the purchase of bicycles for their employees to encourage the use of this mode of transportation.
Meanwhile, the MMDA said it will have to spend some P200 million if it pushes through with plans to develop bicycle lanes all over the metropolis.
The "foot and pedal" ways will have to connect all 17 cities and municipalities if the project hopes to promote bicycles as an alternative mode of transportation.
MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando said the idea of developing bike lanes will have to be discussed with Metro Manila mayors first.
According to him, the issue will be tackled in a meeting with local chief executives tomorrow.
Fernando said projections show Metro Manila would need 200 kilometers of bicycle lanes
Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile led yesterday the call for the use of bicycles as an alternative means of transportation in order to save on fuel, decongest traffic and improve air quality.
Enrile said that in his younger days, he would ride a bicycle from Metro Manila to Isabela from time to time and would regularly travel from Malabon to Manila.
"We will become more physically fit as a people," Enrile said on the use of bicycles.
A bill has actually been filed in Senate by Sen. Juan Flavier, calling for the provision of bicycle lanes on all main roads and highways in the country.
In his proposal, Flavier called for the designation of bicycle lanes on all main roads and highways under the supervision of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
He said that funding for the program would come from the appropriations of the DPWH.
"In a third world country like the Philippines with an acute transportation shortage and an ever-worsening air pollution problem, foot-powered bicycles may yet become one of the most efficient, inexpensive and practical means of public transport," Flavier said in the explanatory note of his bill.
The senator pointed out that his bill is a "legislative response to the need to conserve energy, minimize air pollution and provide commuters with an alternative mode of transport."
Sen. Pia Cayetano acknowledged yesterday the need for bicycle lanes for the protection of cyclists like her.
She noted that motorists in general are not used to driving alongside bicycles and this puts cyclists at risk.
While expressing support for Flaviers bill, Cayetano said a comprehensive plan for cyclists must be formulated in order to be effective.
Cayetano said she registers a total of 200 kilometers a week on her bike on all types of roads.
Instead of immediately tackling the matter on a national level, Cayetano suggested that the focus be placed initially on community level such as those that are near work areas.
"I encourage and challenge MMDA (Metropolitan Manila Development Authority) Chairman Bayani Fernando who comes from Marikina where they have bike lanes that are effective, to use a small model," she said.
The senator explained that communities near commercial areas could be used as model areas because of their proximity to work.
Cayetano urged private companies to subsidize the purchase of bicycles for their employees to encourage the use of this mode of transportation.
Meanwhile, the MMDA said it will have to spend some P200 million if it pushes through with plans to develop bicycle lanes all over the metropolis.
The "foot and pedal" ways will have to connect all 17 cities and municipalities if the project hopes to promote bicycles as an alternative mode of transportation.
MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando said the idea of developing bike lanes will have to be discussed with Metro Manila mayors first.
According to him, the issue will be tackled in a meeting with local chief executives tomorrow.
Fernando said projections show Metro Manila would need 200 kilometers of bicycle lanes
posted by Anonymous at
9:33 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home