Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
CREATING BICYCLE-FRIENDLY COMMUNITY LANES IN 
BARANGAY SANTA MONICA, QUEZON CITY, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Metro Manila has been identified as one of the world’s megacities with 
the heaviest traffic conditions, declining only during the pandemic at the 
height of the lockdowns. In a study for Southeast Asian cities, it was listed 
with the worst traffic among the cities in the neighboring countries.1 
 With the lockdowns lifted, most industries and schools have re-opened 
and people are now more mobile, needing transportation to resume their daily 
lives. The traffic congestion, however, has been weighing down economic 
recovery from the pandemic’s impact2. The Japan International Cooperation 
agency estimates that Philippines’ traffic conditions costs Php 3.5 billion per 
day and is predicted to reach Php 5.4 billion per day by 2035, unless effective 
interventions are put in place. 
As a measure to ease the traffic congestion in Metro Manila, in 
particular, the District V of Quezon City, this bill proposes the creation of 
bicycle-friendly community lanes in Barangay Santa Monica, Quezon City, 
hopefully making cycling a preferred mode of transportation and making 
barangay roads safe and convenient for cyclists. 
1 https://ph.news.yahoo.com/manila-eighth-most-traffic-congested-city-in-the-world-
011555951.html Accessed on December 6, 20 
2 The Manila Times. Accessed on December 5, 2022. 
https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/12/04/opinion/editorial/traffic-congestion-weighs-
down-economic-recovery/1868906  
December 12, 2022
10:58 am
6600


 
 
Among all other modes of transportation, cycling or biking proves to be 
the most advantageous to the environment due to its zero-emission and zero-
noise. For the cyclist, riding bicycles also serve as a form of regular exercise 
that can relieve stress and promote generally healthier lifestyle. Thus, making 
communities bike-friendly not only resolve economic losses but also prove 
beneficial to the environment and the health of the people.  
 
 
With the implementation of this measure, the barangay is ensured to be 
on its way towards safe, cost-efficient, and sustainable mode of transportation 
for the riding public. 
 
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is urgently sought. 
 
 
 
 
 
REP. PM VARGAS   
 
Fifth District, Quezon City 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
CREATING BICYCLE-FRIENDLY COMMUNITY LANES IN 
BARANGAY SANTA MONICA, QUEZON CITY, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Bike-Friendly 
Barangay Santa Monica Act”. 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the 
State to pursue economic growth consistent with its obligation to promote and 
protect global environment to attain sustainable development .  
Pursuant thereto, it shall endeavor to promote and encourage among its 
citizens an alternative mode of transportation mechanism that shall have 
long-term positive environmental and health impact for all. 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act the following terms 
are defined as:  
a) Bike or Bicycle – a non-motorized vehicle consisting of a light frame
mounted on two wire-spoked wheels one behind the other and having
a seat, handlebars for steering, brakes, and two pedals;
b) Cyclist – a person who rides a bicycle;
c) Bike lanes – a portion of the roadway, designated by striping and
pavement markings designated for the exclusive use of cyclists;
d) Safety gear – protective clothing and equipment designed to ensure
cyclists are safe from potential injury while riding. This can include
helmet, gloves, kneecap, protective glasses, and reflectors and bell on
the bike.
6600


SECTION 4. Bicycle-Friendly Community Program. – The Barangay shall 
establish a bike program to promote safe biking in all barangay roads of 
Barangay Santa Monica, Quezon City. The program shall include the 
construction and maintenance of bicycle lanes, parking, and support 
facilities. The Barangay shall also create an educational and awareness 
program on traffic safety. 
 
SECTION 5. Bicycle Lanes. – There shall be designated bicycle lanes in all 
barangay roads of Barangay Santa Monica, Quezon City that would serve as 
exclusive access for bicycle riders. All motorized vehicles shall be prohibited 
from being driven or parked on any bicycle lane.  
 
The bicycle lanes shall be separated by a physical barrier and shall be clearly 
identified with signs and/or pavement markings. In cases when the 
installation of a physical barrier is not feasible, the lane for bicycles shall be 
identified through reflectorized yellow painted lines.  Bicycle lanes must never 
compromise the mobility and safety of pedestrians.  
 
The bicycle lanes shall traverse across all roads of the barangay and connect 
to all major roads of the city. 
 
SECTION 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.   
 
SECTION 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 safely and to lessen the possibility of 
collisions with pedestrians. These facilities shall include, but are not limited, 
to the following:  
a) Sidewalk improvements; 
b) Traffic and speed reduction improvements; 
c) Pedestrian and bicycle crossing improvements; 
d) Traffic signage pertaining to bicycles; 
e) Off-street pedestrian and bicycle facilities; and 
f) Traffic diversion improvements.       
 
SECTION 8. Educational Program. – The Barangay shall establish an 
educational program to increase the 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) Motorists awareness and road-sharing; and  
c) Bicycle and pedestrian safety. 
 


SECTION 9. Incentives. – The local government unit shall create an incentive 
mechanism for all private and public establishments that will encourage their 
employees to ride bicycles by providing for bicycle facilities within their 
establishments.  
 
SECTION 
10. 
Appropriations. 
– 
The 
amount 
necessary 
for 
the 
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the National Tax 
Allotment (NTA) of the Quezon City Government, specifically for Barangay 
Santa Monica. 
 
SECTION 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within one hundred 
eighty (180) days after the approval of this Act, the local government unit 
shall, in consultation with the Department of Public Works and Highways, the 
Department of Transportation, and such other relevant government agencies 
and stakeholders, prepare and issue the necessary rules and regulations for 
the effective implementation of this Act. 
 
SECTION 12. Separability Clause. – If any portion or provision of this Act 
is declared invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof shall remain 
in full force and effect.   
 
SECTION 13. Repealing Clause. – All laws, presidential decrees, executive 
orders, or issuances or any part thereof which are inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly. 
 
SECTION 14. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of general 
circulation.  
 
Approved,