Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 2971

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES RALPH WENDEL P. TULFO,
AND JOCELYN P. TULFO

AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING ACTIVE TRANSPORT BY ESTABLISHING A SAFE
PATHWAYS NETWORK OF BICYCLE LANES, WALKWAYS, AND SLOW STREETS,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article II of the 1987 Constitution provides the State policies concerning every
Filipino’s rights to health and a balanced and healthful ecology, to wit, respectively:

“Section 15. The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people
and instill health consciousness among them.

Section 16. The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a
balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of
nature.”

Following the release of the Global Status Report on Physical Activity 2022," the World
Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations (UN) apprised the public of the negative
health implications and economic burden of physical inactivity. The report found that 81% of
adolescents and 2.75% of adults worldwide did not meet the WHO's recommended levels of
physical activity.

WHO likewise maintained that, aside from the extra healthcare costs physical
inactivity may entail, it contributes to missed opportunities for children and adults to have
better health, and the increasing burden of morbidity and mortality that results from
noncommunicable diseases? The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund
(UNICEF) even projected that, by 2030, more than 30% of Filipino adolescents will be
overweight and obese.*

' The Global Status Report on physical activity 2022. World Health Organization. Available at:
https:/ / www.who..int/ teams/health-promotion / physical-activity /global-status-report-on-
physical-activity-2022 (Accessed: 30 August 2023).

2d

* Everybody needs to act to curb obesity. UNICEF. Available at:
https: / / www.unicef.org/ philippines/press-releases/ everybody -needs-act-curb-obesity
(Accessed: 30 August 2023)


By engaging in low impact joint-friendly physical activities like walking and biking,
we can also significantly contribute to reducing the effects of climate change by cutting down
greenhouse gas emissions, reducing air pollution and the demand for fossil fuels, promoting
sustainable behaviors, and enhancing community resilience.

In view of fulfilling our constitutional mandate and in playing a part in the
achievement of Sustainable Development Goals in relation to health and sustainable
communities, this bill aims to promote active transport by establishing a Safe Pathways
Network, consisting of bicycle lanes, walkways, and slow streets

Other key features of this bill include the prioritization of the safe accessibility of
institutional facilities, the issuance of traffic rules and regulations for non-motorized vehicles
and electric personal mobility devices, and the mandatory installment and construction of
bicycle/multi-use racks and practical end-of-trip facilities in public places and thoroughfares,
and government offices.

In view of the foregoing, the urgent passing of this bill is earnestly sought.

RALPH WENDEL P. TULFO hn

Representative Representative
2st District of Quezon City ACT-CIS Partylist


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

‘TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No._297 1

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES RALPH WENDEL P. TULFO,
AND JOCELYN P. TULFO

AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING ACTIVE TRANSPORT BY ESTABLISHING A SAFE
PATHWAYS NETWORK OF BICYCLE LANES, WALKWAYS AND SLOW STREETS,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatices of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

PARTI
PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Walkable and Bikeable

Communities Act”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy and Objectives. - The Constitution mandates the State to

protect and advance the right of the Filipino people to a balanced and healthful ecology in
accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature, to protect and promote the right to health of

the people, and to instill health consciousness among them.

Prioritizing active transport will result in reduced carbon emissions, reduced road
congestion, decreased use of energy and resources as well as dependence on oil — lightening
the impact of oil price shocks. It will also provide multiple health benefits and enhance the
quality of life of the people.

These are also in line with the State's commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being); SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean
Energy); SGD 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure); SDG 11 Gustainable Cities and

Communities); SDG 13 (Climate Action); and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
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SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, these terms are defined as follows:

(@ Active transport refers to physical activity undertaken as a means of transport, such as

walking or cycling and the use of other non-motorized vehicles;

(b) Electric personal mobility devices refer to any electric motorized device exclusively used
for transporting an individual. This includes electric bicycles and electric kick scooters,

and excludes motorcycles, tricycles, and other similar modes of transport;

(0) End-of-trip facilities refer to facilities that cater to active transport users’ needs at their
destinations, which may include shower and changing rooms, short- and long-term

bicycle parking, bicycle repair stations, and lockers, among others;

(a) Non-motorized vehicles refer to all forms of transportation that do not rely on an engine
or motor for movement, including — but not limited to — bicycles and small-wheeled

non-motorized transport, such as skateboards, push scooters, and handcarts; and

(ce) Slow streets refer to local roads providing safe and convenient access and use by
restricting motor vehicle access, use, or speed limits on certain days or hours in the day,
or any combination of such measures as may be determined by the concerned local
government unit (LGU), and prioritizing access and use by pedestrians, cyclists, and

other non-motorized vehicle users.

SEC. 4. Safe Pathways Network. - Within twelve (12) months from the effectivity of this Act,

the Safe Pathways Network shall be established for the use of active transport: Provided, That
the use of electric personal mobility devices may be allowed subject to the guidelines set by the
LGUs, in consultation with the Department of Transportation (DOT:). The Safe Pathways

Network shall consist of the following:

(a) Bicycle lanes. LGUs, in consultation with the DOTr and the Department of Public Works
and Highways (DPWH), shall identify and create a network of bicycle lanes, which may
be temporary or permanent in nature. The temporary lanes, alternatively known as pop-

up lanes, shall be set up, whenever necessary, including during emergency situations:

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Provided, That along national roads in Metropolitan Manila, the DOTr, in coordination
with the DPWH and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), shall be the

lead implementing agency.

Pop-up bicycle lanes may be marked with removable tapes and mobile signs, which can
easily be placed and removed as necessary. Other physical barriers may also be used.

The bicycle lanes shall, as much as possible, directly connect users to essential

ies frequented by people,
schools, and other similar places that may be identified. Motorcycles, tricycles, and other

destinations, such as medical facilities, public and private fa

similar modes of transportation, whether powered by fossil fuel or electricity, are
prohibited from using the bicycle lanes unless otherwise designed for sharing with such
modes of transport.

(b) Walkways. Walkways shall be designated or constructed for the use of pedestrians,
including the use of strollers and other children’s mobility equipment. Walkways may
also be shared with non-motorized vehicles and electric personal mobility devices,
subject to the guidelines set by the LGUs and taking into account the safety of
pedestrians.

(c) Slow streets. To complement the network of bicycle lanes, LGUs shall create a designated
network of people-oriented slow streets, which may be temporary or permanent, that
will provide safe and convenient access and use of specific local roads. Speed limits,
access on certain days or hours in the day by motorized vehicles in slow streets, or any
combination of such measures shall be determined by the concerned LGU. Motor
vehicles of residents, delivery vehicles, and trash collection vehicles servicing the area of
the slow streets, and emergency services shall have access to slow streets subject to
restrictions to be imposed by the LGU.

Slow streets shall be clearly marked with signage specifying the restrictions. LGUs shall
identify priority areas for implementation within their jurisdiction. The DOTr and
DPWH may provide assistance in the identification of slow streets.


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SEC. 5. Institutional Facilities Pathways Priority. - LGUs shall coordinate with public and
private institutions within their jurisdiction frequented by the public, such as but not limited to
healthcare facilities and institutions, schools, churches, and government offices, to establish
bicycle lanes, walkways, and slow streets that can connect and provide safe access for the
employees, customers, and clients of such institutions as well as the general public, and to

encourage the establishment of end-of-trip facilities within such institutions.

Special attention shall be given towards the safety of healthcare workers and patients who
use active transport to hospitals and other healthcare facilities.

SEC. 6. Traffic Rules and Regulations. - All users of non-motorized vehicles and electric
personal mobility devices shall, as far as applicable, obey traffic signals, signs, and markers;

road pavement markings; right-of-way; and other traffic rules and regulations.

‘The LGUs, in consultation with the DOTr and other appropriate agencies, shall issue
guidelines for the safe use of bicycle lanes and the use of non-motorized vehicles and electric

personal mobility devices.

SEC. 7. Bicycle Racks and Other End-of-Trip Facilities. - All public places, government
offices, schools, places of work, mass transit and public utility vehicle terminals, and

commercial establishments, including but not limited to malls, banks, and hospitals, shall

provide, as far as practicable, secure bicycle or multi-use racks and other end-of-trip fai
as needed.

SEC. 8. Role of Public and Private Sectors. - Both the public and private sectors shall
promote active transport as a sustainable and healthy means of transportation and develop the
Safe Pathways Network, as provided under Section 4 of this Act, by putting up the necessary
infrastructure facilities and programs. Further, the said sectors shall also provide, as far as
practicable, additional support, benefits, subsidies, and training that will promote active

transport.

LGUs shall incorporate the creation of the Safe Pathways Network and their corresponding

infrastructure in their local development plans.

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SEC. 9. Information and Education Campaign. - The DOTr, in coordination with other
government agencies and the private sector, shall establish an information and education
campaign on the importance of a shift to a sustainable and healthy mode of transportation, and
the establishment and use of the Safe Pathways Network. The campaign shall be designed for
all present and potential active transport users, traffic enforces, motorists, non-motorized
vehicles and electric personal mobility device users, the commuting public, and the community

in general.

SEC. 10. Design and Construction of Permanent Bicycle Lanes and Walkways. - Permanent
bicycle lanes and walkways shall be designated or constructed with safety as the paramount
concern, As much as practicable, permanent bicycle lanes and walkways shall be physically
separated from the main road through physical barriers or be elevated or otherwise constructed

separately from the main road.

In areas where the physical separation of bicycle lanes and walkways is not possible, the
roads shall be adapted, as far as practicable, for shared use with active transport users. Painted

road markers may also be used for roads with limited space.

The DPWH, in coordination with the DOTr and LGUs, shall revise its manuals and
guidelines for road design and construction to include non-motorized vehicles and electric
personal mobility devices in the allocation of road space on national and local roads, and to

promote the safety of active transport and electric personal mobility device users.

SEC. 11. Reportorial Requirement, - The DOTr shall submit an annual report to Congress on
the establishment and use of the Safe Pathways Network for purposes of policy formulation
and determining funding requirements. The report shall include relevant data, such as the
number of users of active transport and electric personal mobility devices, and mapping of the

‘Safe Pathways Network in the country.

To this end, LGUs shall submit to the DOTr the relevant information needed to formulate
the report.


SEC. 12. Sources of Funding, - The funds necessary for the implementation of this Act shall
be sourced from the amounts set aside by LGUs for infrastructure projects within their
jurisdiction, as well as from the appropriations of the DOTr and DPWH under the General
Appropriations Act, and the Special Road Fund from the Motor Vehicle User's Charge as
provided under Republic Act No. 8794, as amended

SEC. 13. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or
otherwise invalid, the validity of the other provisions shall not be affected thereby.

SEC. 14. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, other
issuances, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or

modified accordingly.

SEC. 15. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the

Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation

Approved,