Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1893

Introduced by Congressman ALFRED VARGAS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippines’ air pollution is at the critical level. Metro Manila alone records a total
suspended particulate (TSP) of 130-250 micrograms per normal cubic meter, way above the
World Health Organization's defined standard level of 90 micrograms per normal cubic
meter.

According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, around 80% of
the air pollution in the country comes from motor vehicles.

While the country has enacted and implemented laws to help attain clean and healthy
air quality, this Representation finds the need to provide the citizens with an alternative
mode of transportation that is not only good for the environment but also promotes a healthy
lifestyle.

Executive Order (£.0.) No. 774 embodies a road-sharing scheme that follows the
principle: “Those who have less in wheels must have more in road.” To reduce the consumption
of fossil fuels, E.0. 774 directed the Department of Transportation and the Department of
Public Works and Highways to reform the transport sector and transform roads that “shall
favour non-motorized locomotion and collective transportation system (walking, bicycling,
and the man-powered mini-train.)"!

This bills seeks to establish bike-friendly communities nationwide to encourage
Filipinos to use bicycles as an alternative means of transportation.

In line of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

‘£0. 774 "Reorganizing the Presidential Task Force on Climate Change,” Section 9


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1893
HOUSE BILL NO,

Introduced by Congressman ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE USE OF BICYCLES AS AN ALTERNATIVE MODE OF
TRANSPORTATION, ESTABLISHING APPROPRIATE INFRASTRUCTURE AND
FACILITIES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Bicycle Friendly
Communities Act of 2019."

SEC 2. Declaration of Policy - It is the policy of the State to promote environmentally
sound and affordable means of transportation for its citizens that shall serve as an
alternative to vehicles which consume fuel. It is also the policy of the State to protect the
welfare and safety of the commuting public and all road users.

Toward this end, the State shall promote biking as a means of transport by
establishing a comprehensive network of bike lanes and bike facilities, and a road safety
program. The State shall ensure that the needs and safety of all road users, particularly the
pedestrians and cyclists, are fully integrated into the planning, design, operation, and
maintenance of the country’s transportation system.

SEC 3. Definition of Terms. - For the purposes of this Act:

a) Bicycle or bike meansa non-motorized vehicle consisting of alight frame mounted
on two wire-spoked wheels, one behind the other, and having a seat, handlebars
for steering, brakes, and two pedals;

b) Cyclist means a person who rides a bicycle;

c) DOTr means the Department of Transportation; and

d) Secretary means the Secretary of the Department of Transportation.


SEC 4, Establishing a National Bicycle-Friendly Community Program. - The
Secretary shall establish a bike program, hereinafter referred to as “the program,” under the
Department of Transportation (DOTr) to promote safe biking in all cities and municipalities,
‘The program shall include the construction and maintenance of bicycle lanes, parking, and
support facilities. The Secretary shall also formulate an educational and awareness program
on traffic safety. The Secretary may enlist the assistance of other departments or government
agencies to carry out this section.

SEC. 5. Bicycle Lanes. - There shall be designated bicycle lanes in all primary and
secondary roads that shall serve as exclusive lanes for bicycle riders. Motor vehicles are
prohibited from being driven or parked on said bicycle lane.

The bicycle lanes shall be separated by a physical barried and shall be clearly
identified with signs and/or pavement markings. In cases where the installation of a physical
barrier is not feasible, the lane for bicycles shall be identified through reflectorized orange-
painted lines. Bicycle lanes must never compromise the mobility and safety of pedestrians.
The bicycle lanes should traverse across all towns and cities and connect to all major forms
of transport, including airports and piers. Cyclists shall be required to bike within said lanes,
unless no bike lanes have been designated on such roads yet.

SEC. 6. Bicycle Parking - All public places, government offices, schools, major
business establishments, including malls, banks, restaurants, hospitals, and the like, are
hereby required to provide bicycle racks for bicycle parking, Bicycle parking should be
secure, visible, accessible, and not in the way of pedestrians or motor vehicles

SEC. 7. Bicycle Infrastructure. - In addition to the bicycle lanes and bicycle parking
areas, support facilities shall be established to ensure that cyclists and their bicycles can
travel satety and to lessen the possibility of collisions with pedestrians. These facilities
include but are not limited to the following:

a) Sidewalk improvements;

b) Traffic calming and speed reduction improvements;
©) Pedestrian and bicycle crossing improvements;

d) Traffic signage pertaining to bicycles;

e) Off-street pedestrian and bicycle facilities; and

f) Traffic diversion improvements.

SEC. 8, Educational Program. - The Secretary, in cooperation with the Department
of Education, the Commission on Higher Education, and local governments shall establish an
educational program to increase awareness on bike safety and road sharing. The program
shall be designed for traffic enforcers, motorists, cyclists, and the commuting public. The
program shall include

a) Traffic education and enforcement;
b) Motorist Awareness and Road Sharing; and
©) Bicycle and pedestrian safety.


SEC. 9. Carless Day. - To promote the use of bicycles, the country shall participate in
the annual celebration of World Car-Free Day. The second Sunday of September shall be
designated as Carless Day. The Secretary is hereby mandated to determine the primary and
secondary roads to be carless during this annual celebration

SEC. 10. Bike to Work. - The DOTr shall establish a program that gives incentives to
private and government offices that encourage their employees to ride their bicycles to work
by providing for bicycle facilities within their establishments, lockers, and showers.

SEC. 11. Penalties, -

a) Any person or establishment who violates the provisions of this Act shall be
punished by a fine not exceeding one thousand pesos (Php1,000.00). When the
offender is a corporation, the officers responsible for the violation shall be meted
with said penalties.

b) Any public works official who fails or refuses to mark existing main roads and
highways or approve the construction of main roads or highways without the
required bicycle lanes in their designs shall be punished with a fine of not less
than ten thousand (Php10,000.00) pesos but not more than thirty thousand pesos
(Php30,000.00) or suspension, or both, if found guilty in an appropriate
administrative investigation.

SEC. 12, Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within thirty (30) days after this
Act takes effect, a committee composed of the following members shall be created to
formulate the implementing rules and regulations of this Act:

a) The Secretary of Transportation, or an authorized representative, who shall serve
as the Chair of the committee;

b) A representative from the Department of Public Works and Highways;

©) representative from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources;

d) Arepresentative from the Metro Manila Development Authority; and

e) Two (2) representatives from various bicycle organizations;

Within six (6) months after this Act takes effect, the Secretary of Transportation shall
promulgate and disseminate the implementing rules and regulations.

SEC. 13, Appropriations. - To carry out the provisions of this Act, such amount as
may be necessary is hereby authorized to be appropriated from the National Treasury.
Thereafter, the amount necessary for the continuous operation of the Bike Program shall be
included in the annual appropriation of the DOTr.

SEC. 14, Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall
remain valid and subsisting


SEC. 15. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or is
inconsistent with the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended
accordingly.

SEC. 16. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved,