©1 
Senate
(&ffur of tl)f ^rtvefrtt-^
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBUC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
23 JAN 18 P5 22
SENATE
Senate Bill No. 1698
RECEIVED BY:
Introduced by: Senator Raffy T. Tulfo
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR BICYCLE RIGHTS, CREATION OF LOCAL 
BIKEWAYS OFFICE (LBO), ESTABLISHING INFRASTRUCTURE IN 
RELATION THERETO AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been significant 
transition and changes in mobility worldwide—both active travel modes and 
environmental friendliness in general. The pandemic boosted demand for bicycles, with 
people using them to commute, for exercise instead of going to gyms, and to get some 
fresh air. Keen to stay fit and keep clear of infection, commuters around the world have 
turned to bicycles to get around during the coronavirus pandemic.
According to the National Economic and Development Authority, bicycle imports 
saw a 112% increase to 2.1 million in 2020, compared with about 1 million units shipped 
to the country in 2019.
This gives a short overview of general mobility behavior changes and a detailed 
summary of changes in relation to cycling and bicycle-related reactions of municipalities 
in urban planning to address and cater to those changes. The different stages of the 
pandemic also revealed how changeable mobility and cities are.
One of the first laws related to bicycle use was enacted by the Marikina City Council 
in 1996 which dwells on the use of all streets, avenues, alleys, sidewalks, bridges, parks, 
and other public places as bicycle lanes. In 2001, another ordinance from the same city 
created a Bikeways Office tasked to create, supervise and manage bikeways in the city. 
Recently, another bicycle ordinance was approved on second reading in the City of Davao.


In result, different cities and municipalities in the Philippines are now following what 
Marikina City has set and demonstrated.
In a survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations, 87% of Filipinos said they 
prefer bicycles and public transportation to be given priority over private vehicles on roads 
in cities or municipalities.
With bicycles being seen as a reliable and resilient option in pandemic times, a 
policy on bicycle and cyclists should now figure prominently in the government's current 
and post-pandemic planning. This bill also ensures that bike lane networks and other 
end-of-trip facilities will be integrated in future infrastructure projects across the 
Philippines.
This bill seeks to provide a framework for a bicycle law on a national level so that 
Filipino commuters may find a cheaper alternative to get to their destination while saving 
the environment from harmful emissions.
In view of the foregoing, speedy appravaftjfthis m'easuce is eagerly sought.
RAFFY T. Tl
Senator


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NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBUC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
®jt SwiwK
ol IIK & rtrrtiirj*
23 JAN 18 P5-.22
SENATI
Senate Bill No.
iKEIVED BY;
Introduced by: Senator Raffy T. Tulfo
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR BICYCLE RIGHTS, CREATION OF LOCAL 
BIKEWAYS OFFICE (LBO), ESTABLISHING INFRASTRUCTURE IN 
RELATION THERETO 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 Act of 2023."
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to protect 
and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness 
among them and to protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced 
and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.
Likewise, in view of the fluctuating fuel prices in the world market, the 
State recognizes the need for cheap alternative means of transportation and 
encourages the use of non-motorized and environment friendly modes of 
transport.
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - For the purpose of this Act, the
term:
(A)"Bicycle" means any two wheeled vehicle having a rear drive which
is solely
human powered and having a seat height of 25 inches or greater when the 
seat is in the lowest possible position;


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(B) "Local Bikeways Office (LBO)" refers to the agency in charge of 
implementing policies, rules and regulations pertinent to this Act;
(C) "Cyclist" shall refer to drivers of bicycles;
(D) "Department" shall refer to the Department of Public Works and Highways;
(E) "Driver" means any person who drives a vehicle, motorized or non-
motorized;
(F) "Lane" means any longitudinal strips designated for passage of
bicycles; (G)"Non-Motorized Transport (NMT)" means any vehicle which
does not use a
motorized engine;
(H) "Road" means the entire surface of any way or street open to public traffic;
SECTION 4. Creation of Bikeways. - All main roads and highways shall 
be provided with Bicycle Lanes or "bikeways" identified by the Local Bikeways 
Office under the supervision of the city or municipal engineering office.
SECTION 5. Powers and Functions of the Locai Bikeways Office. -The 
LBO shall be an adjunct of the city or municipal engineering office and shall 
have the following powers and functions:
a. To manage the construction and maintenance of a bikeway 
network including the identification of a bikeway roadmap;
b. To establish provision of safe and strategic parking facilities, 
road signages and maps, including the planting of trees in 
designated areas of the network;
c. To encourage partnership with local and foreign 
organizations to facilitate easy access to bicycles;
d. To conduct education and information drives on the benefits 
of using bicycles or NMTs in order to promote the usage of 
the same;
e. To cause all bicycles operating on the bikeways to be 
registered and determine therefore the manner of such 
registration;


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f. To maintain and keep a bicycle registry where the LBO, within sixty
(60) days from the approval of this Act, shall have formulated 
a system of procedure pertinent to bicycle registration.
SECTION 6. Bicycle Park. - Each city or municipality shall create, 
through the LBO and the city or municipal engineering office, a Bicycle Park 
where provisions for bicycles are present such as but not limited to bikeways, 
bicycle parking areas and similar infrastructure. Such Bicycle Parks shall be 
funded by the city or municipality by allocating thirty percent (30%) of their 
respective revenues raised from miscellaneous activities like parking and 
license fees.
SECTION 7. Rights, Duties and Obligations of Cyclists. - The following 
shall be the rights, duties and obligations of cyclists:
a. Ride on any public road or street provided that it has been 
designated as a bikeway except highways or where signs 
specifically prohibiting bikes have been posted;
b. Every person riding a bicycle on the designated bikeways 
shall be granted all the rights and shall be subject to all the 
duties applicable to drivers of motorized vehicles except those 
which by their nature are inapplicable;
c. A trailer or semitrailer may be attached to the bicycle;
d. Right and left turn signals shall be given not less than 100 
feet from turn and while stopped waiting to turn. Such signals 
may be given intermittently rather than continuously if the 
hand giving the signal is needed to control the bicycle;
e. An audible signal shall be given before overtaking;
f. When riding at night, a bicycle shall be equipped with 
reflective material visible from both sides for at least six 
hundred (600) feet, or a lighted lamp visible from both sides 
for at least five hundred (500) feet from a motor vehicle;
g. A bicycle and its corresponding cyclist may be equipped with 
additional lights and reflectors;
h. A cyclist shall keep one hand on the handlebar at all times;
i. 
A cyclist must always wear a helmet properly where the chin 
strap is securely fastened;


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j. Every bicycle shall be equipped with brakes that are capable 
of stopping the bicycle within twenty-five (25) feet from a 
speed of lOmph on dry, clean level pavement;
SECTION 8. Restrictions. -The following are restrictions imposed upon 
cyclists and the right to use a bicycle:
a. No bicycle shall carry more persons that it was designed to 
carry except when another regular seat or trailer towed by 
the bicycle is present;
b. Persons riding a bicycle shall not cling to another vehicle 
while in the designated bikeway;
c. Bicycles may not be parked in areas other than those 
specifically designated as such by the CBO;
d. A cyclist shall not ride a bicycle on a sidewalk or crosswalk;
e. A cyclist shall not carry anything on the bicycle unless it is in 
a basket, bag, rack or trailer designed for that purpose;
f. A modified bicycle is not allowed on the bikeways, or that 
which makes the hands higher than the shoulders when 
gripping the handlebars;
g. Ownership or custody of a bicycle which has a destroyed, 
removed, altered, covered or defaced serial number;
h. No person shall operate a bicycle at a speed greater than is 
reasonable and prudent under the conditions then existing.
SECTION 9. Obedience to Traffic Laws and Devices. - Any person 
operating a bicycle shall obey the instructions of official traffic control signs, 
and other control devices applicable to vehicles, unless otherwise directed by 
a police officer. Whenever authorized signs are posted, a person operating a 
bicycle shall not disobey the direction of such sign except when that person 
dismounts from the bicycle, in which case such person shall then obey the 
regulations applicable to pedestrians. No person shall ride or operate a bicycle 
in any direction except that permitted for vehicular traffic traveling on the same 
side of the bikeway.


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SECTION 10. Flagging by a Police Officer. - A uniformed police officer, 
or any deputized traffic officer, may stop, inspect and test a bicycle that is 
suspected to be unsafe or to have improper equipment. He may also stop any 
cyclist operating the bicycle in such a manner as to pose danger to others.
SECTION 11. Riding on Bicycle Lanes. Every person operating a bicycle 
upon a designated bikeway lane shall remain inside such lane, exercising due 
care when passing a standing vehicle or a vehicle proceeding in the same 
direction. When a person operating a bicycle upon a bikeway at a speed less 
than the normal speed of traffic, such person may move out of the lane under 
any of the following circumstances:
a. Whenever overtaking or passing another bicycle, vehicle or 
pedestrian within the lane or about to enter the lane if such 
overtaking or passing cannot be done safely within the lane;
b. When preparing for a turn at an intersection or into a private 
road or driveway;
c. When reasonably necessary to leave the bicycle lane to avoid 
debris or hazardous conditions.
SECTION 12. Yielding Right-of-Way From Bicycle Paths to Sidewalks. - 
Every person riding a bicycle on a bikeway that is about to enter or cross a 
roadway shall yield the right-of-way to all traffic on such roadway.
SECTION 13. Motor Vehicles In Bikeways. - Whenever a bikeway has 
been established on a road, any person operating a motor vehicle on such road 
shall not drive in the bikeway except to park when parking is permitted, to 
enter or leave the road or prepare for a turn.
SECTION 14. Exercise of Due Care. - Every cyclist shall exercise due 
care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian, or any person operating a bicycle 
or other device propelled by human or animal power, upon any road, and shall 
give warning by sounding the horn when necessary and shall exercise proper 
precautions upon observing any child or any incapacitated person upon a road.
SECTION 15. Bicycle Lane Network to Link Cities and Municipalities. The 
Departments of Transportation, Public Works and Highways, Interior and Local 
Government, Metro Manila Development Authority and the local government 
units shall plan and construct an interconnecting bicycle lane network to link 
cities and municipalities and pursue similar approaches towards a sustainable 
and low carbon emission transport system.


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SECTION 16. Penalties. - Any person who violates any of the provisions 
of this Act shall be subject to the penalty of a fine of not less than Five Hundred 
Pesos (P500.00) but not more than One Thousand Pesos (PI,000.00). If such 
violation causes damage or injury to persons or property then the appropriate 
provisions of the Civil Code and the Revised Penal Code shall take effect.
SECTION 17. 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.
SECTION 18. 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.
SECTION 19. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) 
days after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,