EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
)
)
SENATE
S. No. 1582
{mw Senate
of tljc ifertrftniT
20 JUN-3 P12 53
Prepared by the Committees on Sustainable Deveiopment Goais, Innovation and 
Futures Thinking; Pubiic Works; and Finance with Senators Cayetano, Toientino, 
Pacquiao and Angara as authors thereof
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A NETWORK OF POP-UP BICYCLE LANES AND EMERGENCY 
PATHWAYS FOR USE DURING THE DURATION OF THE COVID-19 
PANDEMIC, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shail be known as the "Safe Pathways Act'.
2 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The Constitution mandates the State to
3 
protect and advance the right of the Filipino people to a balanced and healthful
4 
ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature, and to protect and
5 
promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among
6 
them.
7 
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Action Plan Against COVID-
8 
19 provides that the State shall mitigate the consequences and impact of the COVID-
9 
19 pandemic on the social, economic, and personal security of the Filipino people.
10 
The State recognizes that the current transportation system does not address
11 
the need for physical distancing.
12 
The State likewise acknowledges the need for infrastructure and a change in
13 
mindset to encourage and accommodate alternative modes of transportation such as
14 
walking, bicycles, and other non-motorized vehicles, and to provide safe and
15 
. convenient pathways for commuters, especially health workers and other frontliners,
16 
pedestrians and non-motorized travel. It also recognizes the urgency of this need


1 
during the COVID-19 pandemic, to ensure physical distancing and given the limited
2 
forms of transportation available to frontliners and essential workers for so long as
3 
there is reduced mobility.
4 
Prioritizing walking, biking, and the use of non-motorized vehicles will result in
5 
reduced carbon emissions, less use of energy and resources, and provide multiple
6 
health benefits and increase quality of life.
7 
These are also in line with the State's commitment to the Sustainable
8 
Development Goals (SDGs), in particular: SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being); SDG
9 
7 (Affordable and Clean Energy); SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure);
10 
SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities); SDG 13 (Climate Action); and SDG 17
11 
(Partnerships for the Goals).
12 
For purposes of this Act, "Non-Motorized Vehicles" includes all forms of travel
13 
that do not rely on an engine or motor for movement. This includes, but Is not
14 
limited to, walking, bicycles, and small-wheeled non-motorized transport (skates,
15 
skateboards, push scooters and hand carts).
16 
Sec. 3. Safe Pathways Network. - Immediately upon the effectivity of this Act,
17 
the Department of Transportation (DOTr) with the Department of Public Works and
18 
Highways (DPWH), and in coordination with Local Government Units (LGUs), shall
19 
identify and create a network of pop-up bicycle lanes that may be used during the
20 
duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pop-up bicycle lanes are strictly for bicycles
21 
and other non-motorized vehicles only, and shall, as much as practicable, directly
22 
connect users to essential destinations such as medical facilities, public and private
23 
facilities frequented by people, schools, when they open, and other similar places
24 
that may be identified. The lanes may be marked with removable tapes and mobile
25 
signs, which can easily be placed and removed as necessary. Other physical barriers
26 
may also be used. Electric scooters, electric bicycles, and other similar modes of
27 
transport may be allowed subject to the guidelines set by the DOTr and other
28 
appropriate agencies.
29 
To complement the network of pop-up bicycle lanes, LGUs shall create a
30 
designated network of people-oriented emergency pathways along local roads that
31 
will provide pedestrians and bicycle and non-motorized vehicle users safe,
32 
convenient access to frequented destinations by restricting motorized vehicle


1 
passage in these pathways during peak hours. The emergency pathways shail be
2 
cieariy marked with signage containing restrictions. The DOTr and DPWH shaii
3 
identify priority areas for implementation.
4 
Sec. 4. Health Facilities Loop. - The LGUs shaii coordinate with heaith
5 
faciiities within their jurisdiction to establish pop-up bicycie ianes and emergency
6 
pathways that can connect and provide safe access for heaithcare workers to
7 
hospitais and other heaith centers.
8 
Sec. 5. Obedience to Traffic Laws/ Rules and Regulations. - Aii non-motorized
9 
vehicie users, including users of eiectric scooters, eiectric bicycies, and other simiiar
10 
modes of transport as aiiowed by the DOTr and other appropriate agencies, shaii
11 
obey existing traffic iaws, ruies and reguiations, and shaii be subject to existing
12 
penaities for vioiations.
13 
The DOTr, in coordination with the Metro Maniia Deveiopment Authority and
14 
other appropriate agencies, shaii issue guideiines for safe biking and the use of non-
15 
motorized vehicies.
16 
Sec. 6. Non-Motorized Vehicle Parking Spaces. - Aii pubiic piaces, government
17 
offices, schoois, piaces of work and major commerciai estabiishments, including
18 
mails, banks, hospitals, and the like shall provide, as far as practicable, adequate
19 
parking spaces for bicycles, other non-motorized vehicles/ and electric scooters,
20 
electric bicycles, and other similar modes of transport as allowed by the DOTr and
21 
other appropriate agencies.
22 
Sec. 7. Role of the Public and Private Sectors. - Both the public and private
23 
sectors shall promote walking and using bicycles and other non-motorized vehicles
24 
as an alternative means of travel. They shall develop the necessary Infrastructure,
25 
facilities and programs for its implementation, including showers, changing areas,
26 
and hydration facilities, and shall continue following physical distancing measures
27 
during travel.
28 
Sec. 8. Permanent Adoption of Safe Pathways Network. - The DOTr, DPWH
29 
and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), in coordination with
30 
the appropriate agencies, shall prepare to permanently adopt the established bicycle
31 
lanes and emergency pathways, as may be appropriate. Pursuant to this, the LGUs
32 
shall clear all local roads and sidewalks of obstructions, and make the necessary


1 
Improvements on existing structures. All non-motorized vehicle parking spaces and
2 
other infrastructure shall also be made permanent, as may be appropriate and
3 
practicable.
4 
Further, the DPWH shall revise Its manuals and guidelines for road design and
5 
construction to include non-motorIzed vehicles in the allocation of road space on
6 
national and local roads, and to promote the safety of pedestrians and non-
7 
motorized vehicle users.
8 
The LCDs shall coordinate and Issue the necessary measures for the adoption
9 
and implementation of the Safe Pathways Network, In compliance with the
10 
implementing rules and regulations as provided In Section 9 of this Act.
11 
Sec. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within thirty (30) days from
12 
the effectivity of this Act, the DOTr, In coordination with the DPWH, DILG, and other
13 
appropriate agencies, shall promulgate and issue the necessary guidelines for the
14 
effective Implementation of this Act. The Implementing rules and regulations Issued
15 
pursuant to this Section shall take effect thirty (30) days after its publication in two
16 
(2) national newspapers of general circulation.
17 
Sec. 10. Appropriations. - The funds necessary for the Initial Implementation
18 
of this Act shall be charged against the appropriations of the DOTr and DPWH.
19 
Thereafter, funding shall be Included In the budget of the DOTr and DPWH under
20 
the annual General Appropriations Act.
21 
Sec. 11. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act Is declared
22 
unconstitutional or otherwise Invalid, the validity of the other provisions shall not be
23 
affected thereby.
24 
Sec. 12. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, decrees, orders, rules and
25 
regulations, other issuances, or parts thereof Inconsistent with the provisions of this
26 
Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
27 
Sec. 13. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after Its
28 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,