Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
:`            f           t7i,
NINETEENTH..C'ONGRESS
First Regular Session
Hog;`E`B:L®LNo9011
Introduced by Representative Wilbert T. Lee
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A SAFE PATHWAYS NETWORK 0F BICYCLE
LANES AND SLOW STREETS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The  1987  Constitution  declares  the  State  shall  protect  the  right  of the  people  to  a
balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature, to  serve,
and to protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness
among them.
Mass  public  transport  is  considered  the  lifeblood  of most  economies.I  Hence,  the
implementation  of  the  govemment's  strict  quarantine  measures  to  curtail  the  spread  of
COVID-19 significantly affected the daily lives of Filipinos. It recreated how we conduct our
daily routines.
As pre-pandemic activities slowly return after different levels of pandemic restrictions
due   to   the   COVID-19   transmission,   implementing   health   protocols   such   as   physical
distancing has become more difficult as people's mobility increased with the resumption of
face-to-face classes, onsite reporting to various offices and a bigger scale of public gatherings
started.
As   a  result,   our  public   transportation   system,   which   was   also   crippled  by  the
pandemic, is now hardly catering to a bigger demand of commuters and travelers despite the
limited routes and actual transport vehicles. It is fair to say that the supply carmot meet that
demand. We are starting to witness again congestion of coirmiuters.
Likewise,  in the  face  of record-high  inflation  and unabated hike  in global  oil  prices,
the transportation sector bares the impact of these problems. Private vehicles owners rethink
;hned:epet:dt:o:Soetht:refsro::::s°:f:n€:£iye,b::ftsh:;:as:mo:I:::nuepywTinv:iseh::t]egrit:eefsru:gee.r2atE°ns
I Asian Development Bank. 2020. Public Transport Can Bounce Back from COVID-19 with new and green
technology, says ADB. Aug. 3. https://www.adb. org/news/public-transport-can-bounce-back-covid-19-new-
£3:-g:reenG-:ecT2°o[2°28,y-Sa,yi-eadb.]4).      Fewer     cars      on      EDSA      as      fuel      prices      Soar
https://www.philstar.com/nation/2022/06/14/2188169/fewer-cars-edsa-fuel-prices-soar-mmda
1
MMDA.


Unfortunately,  this  adversely affected the  country's  public  transport supply,  already
unable to keep up with demand, especially in Metro Manila. As the Move as One Coalition
#:::£S:g"?i:bell:£adn::o°:d::PcP:yriuct::1::Se£::I.o%:rsep::e:,in:t:rasrearaet::£ef::ncc3n#L°.n]8g.[3£nes'
It is high time  to encourage our citizens and offer them sustainable modes of travel
that are not fuel-reliant. Active transportation such as walking, and biking are some of these.
Walking is cost-free and the price of buying and maintaining a bike is very low compared to
owning  a private  vehicle.  They also promote physical  and mental health  in  a time  of high
anxiety. Further, they use fewer resources and will raise air quality due to reduced motorized
vehicle  use,  lessening  air toxins  which  are  a  leading  cause  of respiratory  infection.4  Other
non-motorized vehicles also offer the same advantages.
In line with this, this measure seeks to create a sustainable network of bicycle lanes
and slow streets that are people-oriented and pedestrian-friendly, which shall connect users to
essential destinations such as work,  schools, medical facilities, and other similar places that
may be identified.  This network may then be adopted permanently even after the pandemic,
as  may  be  appropriate,  as  a  solution  to  congested  roads,  volatilities  in  oil  prices,  and  the
pollution plaguing the country even before the pandemic.5
This bill  also recognizes  the  importance  of slow streets  in  a  community,  which  are
designed to limit motorized vehicle use on certain local streets, as may be determined by the
concerned local government units,  and allow them to be used as  a shared space  for people
traveling by foot, by bicycle, or by other non-motorized means.6
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this measure is urgently sought.
3Atienza,    K.A.    (2022).    Public    transport    system    on    brink    of    `collapse'    due    to    high    fuel    prices.
https://www.bworldonline.Com/economy/2022/06/14/455032/public-transport-system-on-brink-of-collapse-due-
to-high-fuel-prices/;  Abante. Dayao,  and Siy (2022). Fighting Transport Inflation:  A  Ten-Point Agenda (Move
as                                                             One                                                             Policy                                                             Paper).
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/361268506_Fighting_Transport_Inflation  A  Ten-
Point_Agenda_Move_As_One_Policy_Paper
4"Air     Pollution."      World     Health      Organization,      World     Health      Organization,      15      Aug.      2017,
Pt[tbp;Sj`/WWW.Who.intlceh/risks/cehair/en/
6 Slow Streets Program. (n.d). Retrieved from https://www.sfmta.com/projects/slow-streets-program.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESHNTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH C ONGRESS
First Regular' Session
HousE-i-IL-L^No.6'011
Introduced by Representative Wilbert T. Lee
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A SAFE PATHWAYS NETWORK OF BICYCLE
LANES AND SLOW STREETS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  Of Representatives  Of the  Philippines  in  Congress
assembled:
1                      SECTION.1. Sfeorf ri.I/a. -This Act shall be known as the "W¢/frczb/e cz#d Bz.freflb/e
2       Communities Act. "
3                    SEC. 2. DccJ¢r¢fro# a/Po/I.c)?.  -The constitution mandates the state to protect and
4       advance the right of the Filipino people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with
5       the rhythm and harmony of nature, to protect and promote the right to health of the people
6       and instill health consciousness among them.
7                     The  State  recognizes  the  urgent  need  to  safeguard  the  public's  health  during  the
8       ongoing  COVID-19  pandemic  by  promoting  physical  distancing.  It  acknowledges  that  the
9       current  transportation  system  compromises  the  safety  of  health  workers,   other  essential
10       workers, and commuters.
11                    The  State  also  affirms  the  need  for  infrastructure  and  a  change  in  mindset  to
12       encourage  and  accommodate  sustainable  and  healthy  modes  of  active  transport  such  as
13       walking,  biking,  and  the  use  of  other  non-motorized  vehicles  and  to  provide  safe  and
14       convenient  pathways  for  commuters.  It  further  acknowledges  the  need  to  provide  quick
3


1       solutions  to  long-standing  mobility  issues  brought to  light by  this  pandemic  and that  may
2       arise again in other emergency situations.
3                     Prioritizing  active  transport  will  result  in  reduced  carbon  emissions,  reduced  road
4       congestion, less use of energy and resources, as well as less dependence on oil, lightening the
5       impact  of oil  price  shocks.  It  will  also  provide  multiple  health  benefits  and  enhance  the
6       qualityoflife.
7                     There  are also  in line with the  State's  commitment to the  Sustainable Development
8       Goals (SDGs), in particular:  SDG 3  (Good Health and well-Being); SDG 7 (Affordable and
9       Clean Energy); SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure); SDG  11  (Sustainable cities
10       and communities); SDG  13 (Climate Action); and SDG  17 (Partnership for the Goals).
11                    SEC. 3. Dcf#i.fro# a/ rerm§. -For purposes of this Act, these terms are defined as
12        follows :
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14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
a.   ,4cfz.ve  /r¢#sporJ  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,  excluding motorcycles,  tricycles,  and  other  similar modes
of transport;
c.    E#d-o/-frz.p/czcz./I.fz.eLs refer to faculties 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;
d.   IVo7t-mo/or!.zed vefez.c/es 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
e.    S/ow sfreets 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.
31                     SEC. 4. S¢/a par/rfew¢ys Ivetworfu -Within twelve (12) months from the effectivity of
32       this  Act,  the  Safe  Pathways  Network  shall  be  established  for  the  use  of active  transport:
33       P7'ovz.ded,  That the  use  of electric personal  mobility  devices  may be  allowed subject  to  the
34       guidelines set by the LGUs, in consultation with the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
35                    The safe pathways Network shall consist of the following:
36
37
38
39
40
a.    Bz.c};c/e /c!#es.  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
altematively   known   as   pop-up   lanes   shall   be   set   up,   whenever   necessary,
including  during  emergency  situations:  Proi;z.ded,  That  along  national  roads  in
2


Metro 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  practicable,  directly  connect  users  to
essential   destinations,   such  as  medical  facilities,   public   and  private  facilities
frequented  by people,  schools,  and  other  similar places  that  may  be  identified.
Motorcycles, tricycles, and other similar modes of transport, whether powered by
fossil   fuel  or  electricity,   are  prohibited  from  using  the  bicycle  lanes  unless
otherwise designed for sharing with such modes of transport; and
b.    Wcz/in^;czys.    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.    S/ow sfreets.  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 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.
29                    SE:C.  S.  Institutional  Facilities  Pathways  Priority.  -LGUs  shall  coordinate  with
30       public and private institutions within their jurisdiction frequented by the public,  such as but
31       not limited to healthcare facilities and institutions, schools, churches, and government offices,
32       to establish bicycle lanes, walkways and slow streets that can connect and provide safe access
33       for the employees,  customers,  and clients of such  institutions as well as the general public,
34       and to encourage the establishment of end-of-trip facilities within such institutions.
35                     Special  attention shall be given towards the safety of healthcare workers and patients
36       who use active transport to hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
37                     SEC. 6.  rr¢j7j7Zc £¢ws, Rw/es a#d Regw/¢fi.oi®s. -All users of non-motorized vehicles
38       and electric personal mobility devices shall obey traffic laws, rules and regulations and shall
39       be subject to existing penalties for violation.
40                     The LGUs, in consultation with the DOTr and other appropriate agencies, shall issue
41       ordinances for the safe use of bicycle lanes and the use ofnon-motorized vehicles and electric
42       personal mobility devices.
3


1                   SEC.I.  Bicycle  Racks  and  other  End-ofrTrip  Facilities.  -  A:Il  phoho  pha;es,
2       government offices, schools, places of work, mass transit and public utility vehicle terminals,
3       and commercial establishments, including but not limited to malls, banks, and hospitals, shall
4       provide,   as   far  as  practicable,   secure  bicycle   or  multi-use  racks   and  other  end-of-trip
5       facilities, as needed.
6                   SEC.  8. ROJe a/Pwb/I."[#d prl.v¢fe sccfors.  -Both the public  and private  sectors
7       shall  promote  active  transport  as  a  sustainable  and  healthy  means  of transportation  and
8       develop the  Safe Pathways Network as provided under Section 4 of this Act, by putting up
9       the  necessary  infrastructure  facilities  and  programs.  Further,  the  said  sectors  shall  also
10       provide,  as  far as  practicable,  additional  support,  benefits,  subsidies,  and training  that will
11       promote active transport.
12                    LGUs    shall    incorporate   the   creation   of   Safe   Pathways   Network   and   their
13       corresponding infrastructure in their local development plans.
14                    SEC.  9. J„/orm¢fl.o# ¢„d Edwc¢fro#  C¢mp¢I.g#.  -The DOTr, in coordination with
15       other  government   agencies   and  the   private   sector,   shall   establish   an   information   and
16       education  campaign  on  the  importance  of a  shift  to  a  sustainable  and  healthy  mode  of
17       transportation, and the establishment and use of the safe pathways Network.  The campaign
18       shall  be  designed  for  all  present  and  potential   active  transport  users,  traffic  enforcers,
19       motorists, non-motorized vehicle and electric personal mobility device users, the commuting
20       public, and the community in general.
2.1                   S;rfLC.10. Design and construction of permanent Bicycle Lanes and walkways. -
22       Permanent bicycle lanes and walkways shall be designated or constructed with safety as the
23       paramount concern. As much as practicable, pemanent bicycle lanes and walkways shall be
24       physically  separated  from  the  main  road  through  physical  barriers  or  shall  be  elevated  or
25       otherwise constructed separately from the main road.
26                     In areas where the physical separation of bicycle lanes and walkways is not possible,
27       the roads shall be  adapted,  as far as practicable,  for shared use with active transport users.
28       Painted road markers may also be used forroads with limited space.
29                    The DPWH,  in coordination with the DOTr and LGUs,  shall revise its manuals and
30       guidelines  for road  design  and  construction to  include non-motorized  vehicles  and electric
31       personal mobility devices in the allocation of road space on national and local roads,  and to
32       promote the safety of active transport and electric personal mobility device users.
33                     SEC.11. Sources of Funding. -The funds necessary for the implementation of this
34       Act shall be sourced from the amounts set aside by LGUs for infrastructure projects within
35       their jurisdiction,  as  well  as  from  the  appropriations  of the  DOTr  and  DPWH  under  the
36       General  Appropriations  Act,  and  the  Special  Road  Fund  from  the  Motor  Vehicle  User's
37       Charge as provided under Republic ActNo. 8794, as amended.
38                     SEC.   12.   Scp¢robl.JI.fy   CJ¢wse.   -      If   any   provision   of  this   Act   is   declared
39       unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, the validity of the other provisions shall not be affected
40       thereby.


1                      SEC.13.  J}apc¢/z.#g CJaws`e. -All  other laws,  decrees,  orders, iules and regulations,
2       other  issuances,  or  parts  thereof  inconsistent  with  tl`e  provisions  of  this  Act  are  hereby
3       repealed or modifled accordingly.
4                     SEC.14.   EJ7ec./I.vtry. This  Act   shall   take   effect   fifteen   (15)   days   following   its
5       publication in three (3) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,