1 
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _____ 
Introduced by CIBAC Party-List Representative 
Eduardo “Bro. Eddie” C. Villanueva 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING SAFE PATHWAYS NETWORK AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
On March 7, 2020, the first local transmission of the COVID-19 was 
confirmed by the DOH, triggering the declaration of a state of public health 
emergency on March 8, 2020, through Proclamation No. 922, and the 
imposition of the “community quarantine” on March 12, 2020, to prevent 
the further spread of the virus. On March 16, 2020, the “enhanced 
community quarantine” was implemented in the entire Luzon area, 
wherein all persons are required to remain at home, all modes of 
transportation had been suspended, provision of essential goods and 
services are regulated, and uniformed personnel strictly enforced 
quarantine procedures.1 
In view of the lack of public transportation, commuters, including 
frontline medical workers, had to resort to using other modes, including 
bikes. Because of this, several efforts had been initiated to provide 
1 March 12, 2021, Timeline: One year of Covid-19 in the Philippines, Philippine Daily Inquirer. Accessible at 
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1406004/timeline-one-year-of-covid-19-in-the-philippines (last accessed August 11, 
2022). 
September 22, 2022
12:21 pm
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bicycles to frontliners, including the Lend-a-Bike Project led by cycling 
enthusiasts2 and free rides,3 among others.  
Meanwhile, based on a face-to-face survey conducted by the Social 
Weather Stations in November 2020 and May 2021, the estimated 
number of households that owned bikes grew from 2 million to 4.9 million.4 
In the same survey, it is reported that around 4.7 million Filipinos use bikes 
for essential activities, including market/grocery/store runs (3.1 million), 
going to and from work (1.4 million), and bikes for work-related or 
livelihood activities (1.1 million).5 Filipinos also use bikes for recreational 
activities, with an estimated 2.3 million using bikes for exercising, 
sightseeing, or playing.6 
During the pandemic, almost 500 kilometers of bike lanes along 
national roads were put up to promote cycling as a mode of transport.7 To 
further encourage and promote cycling as a mode of transportation and 
to ensure the safety of bikers given the growing number of users, the 
government should invest in proper and adequate cycling infrastructure. 
Thus, this bill provides for the following: 
a)
The establishment of a Safe Pathways Network, or a network of bike
lanes, spearheaded by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and
the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which shall
be properly marked with road signs, mobile signs, or physical
barriers;
b)
Placement of restrictions for motorized vehicle passage on pathways
during peak hours of travel;
2 March 24, 2020. Bikers lead initiative to lend bikes for frontliners in COVID-19 crisis. CNN. Accessible at 
https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/3/24/bikers-lead-initiative-bikes-frontliners-coronavirus.html 
(last 
accessed August 11, 2022). 
3 August 7, 2020. 1,000 Angkas drivers to provide free rides for health frontliners in Metro Manila. Inquirer. 
Accessible 
at 
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1318150/1000-angkas-drivers-to-provide-free-rides-for-health-
frontliners-in-metro-manila (last accessed August 11, 2022). 
4 Social Weather Stations, Bicycle Usage among Filipino Households during the Covid-19 Pandemic, accessible 
at 
http://www.sws.org.ph/downloads/publications/pr20211126%20-%20WAPOR%20Asia%202021-
Bicycle%20Usage%20Among%20Filipino%20Households%20During%20the%20Covid-19%20Pandemic-
Christian%20Michael%20Entoma.pdf (last accessed August 11, 2022). 
5 Id. 
6 Id. 
7 January 19, 2022. From Crises to opportunity: How the Philippines built 500km of bike lanes in less than a year. 
World Bank. Accessible at https://blogs.worldbank.org/transport/crisis-opportunity-how-philippines-built-500km-
bike-lanes-less-
year#:~:text=Within%209%20months%2C%20the%20Philippines,and%20sustainable%20form%20of%20transpo
rt (last accessed August 11, 2022). 


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c)
Requiring public places and major establishments to have, as far as
practicable, parking spaces for bicycles, non-motorized vehicles,
electric scooters, electric bikes, and other similar modes of
transportation; and
d)
Integration of driver education, as appropriate, in the respective
curricula of the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission
on Higher Education (CHED), and the Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority (TESDA), to ensure basic knowledge on
traffic laws, rules, and regulations for all motorists, pedestrians, and
ordinary citizens;
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is 
earnestly sought. 
EDUARDO “BRO. EDDIE” C. VILLANUEVA 


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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _____ 
Introduced by CIBAC Party-List Representative 
Eduardo “Bro. Eddie” C. Villanueva 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING SAFE PATHWAYS NETWORK AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of 
1 
the Philippines in Congress assembled: 
2 
3 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Safe 
4 
Pathways Act.”  
5 
6 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – The Constitution mandates the 
7 
State to protect and advance the right of the Filipino people to a balanced 
8 
and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. It 
9 
also declares the State policy to protect and promote the right to health of 
10 
the people and instill health consciousness among them.  
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Toward this end, the State recognizes that engine-powered vehicles 
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contribute to air pollution. At the same time, the State recognizes that the 
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current state of infrastructure in the country does not adequately promote 
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and incentivize the use of alternative modes of transportation, such as 
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walking, bicycles, and other non-motorized vehicles, and to provide safe 
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and convenient pathways for commuters, especially health workers and 
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other frontlines, pedestrians, and non-motorized travel. While these 
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alternative modes of transportation have lesser carbon emissions, use 
20 
less energy and resources, and provide multiple health benefits and 
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increase quality of life, they have not been aggressively promoted in the 
1 
country.  
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3 
  
Thus, the State hereby adopts the policy of promoting and 
4 
incentivizing the use of alternative modes of transportation, not only to 
5 
protect the environment, but also to promote the health, safety and well-
6 
being of all. 
7 
 
8 
 
SEC. 3. Safe Pathways Network. – Upon the effectivity of this Act, 
9 
the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Department of Public 
10 
Works and Highways (DPWH), in coordination with Department of 
11 
Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Local Government Units 
12 
(LGUs), shall identify and create a network of bicycle lanes, hereinafter, 
13 
Safe Pathways Network, which shall be used strictly for bicycles and 
14 
other non-motorized vehicles. For the purposes of this Act, “non-
15 
motorized vehicles” include all forms of travel that do not rely on an 
16 
engine or motor for movement. This includes, but is not limited to 
17 
bicycles, small-wheeled non-motorized transport and other similar modes 
18 
of transport as allowed by the DOTr and other appropriate agencies.  
19 
 
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The bicycle lanes shall, as far as practicable, directly connect users 
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to essential destinations, such as medical facilities, public and private 
22 
facilities frequented by people, schools, and other institutions of learning, 
23 
and other similar places. The lanes must be marked appropriately with 
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road signs, mobile signs, or physical barriers and the like. In all cases, 
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lane markings for vehicles shall be appropriately adjusted and/or marked 
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to avoid confusion among motorists.  
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28 
 
Electric scooters, electric bicycles, and other similar modes of 
29 
transport may be allowed subject to the guidelines set by the DOTr and 
30 
other appropriate agencies.  
31 
 
32 
 
To complement the network of bicycle lanes, LGUs shall also 
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create a designated network of people-oriented pathways along local 
34 
roads that will provide pedestrians, bicycles and non-motorized vehicle 
35 
users safe and convenient access to frequented destinations by 
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restricting motorized vehicle passage in these pathways during peak 
37 
hours. These pathways shall be clearly marked with signage containing 
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restrictions. The DOTr and DPWH shall identify priority areas for 
39 
implementation.  
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In all cases, the DPWH and LGUs shall ensure that sidewalks and 
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non-motorized transport lanes are appropriately integrated in the design 
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and construction of road networks. For this purpose, the DPWH shall 
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make appropriate revisions in its manuals and guidelines for road design 
2 
and construction to include non-motorized vehicles in the allocation of 
3 
road space on national and local roads, and to promote the safety of 
4 
pedestrians and non-motorized vehicle users.  
5 
 
6 
The LGUs shall coordinate with the DPWH and other appropriate 
7 
agencies and issue the necessary measures for the adoption and 
8 
implementation of the Safe Pathways Network pursuant to this Act. The 
9 
LGUs shall also regularly clear all local roads and sidewalks of 
10 
obstructions and make the necessary improvements on existing 
11 
infrastructures.  
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SEC. 4. Obedience to Traffic Laws, Rules and Regulations; 
14 
Driver and Pedestrian Education. – All non-motorized vehicle users, 
15 
including users of electric scooters, electric bicycles, and other similar 
16 
modes of transport as allowed by the DOTr and other appropriate 
17 
agencies, shall obey existing traffic laws, rules, and regulations, and shall 
18 
be subject to existing penalties for violations.  
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For this purpose, the Department of Education (DepEd), 
21 
Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Technical Education 
22 
and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) shall integrate in the 
23 
curriculum driver education, as appropriate, to ensure that motorists, 
24 
pedestrians, and ordinary citizens have basic knowledge on traffic laws, 
25 
rules and regulations.  
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SEC. 5. Non-Motorized Vehicle Parking Spaces. – All public 
28 
places, government offices, schools, places of work and major 
29 
establishments, including malls, banks, hospitals, and the like, shall 
30 
provide, as far as practicable, adequate parking spaces for bicycles, 
31 
other non-motorized vehicles, electric scooters, electric bicycles, and 
32 
other similar modes of transport as allowed by the DOTr and other 
33 
appropriate agencies.  
34 
 
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SEC. 6. Role of the Public and Private Sectors. – Both the public 
36 
and private sectors shall promote walking and the use of bicycles and 
37 
other non-motorized vehicles as an alternative means of travel. They 
38 
shall develop the necessary infrastructure, facilities and programs for its 
39 
implementation, including showers, changing areas, and hydration 
40 
facilities, and shall ensure that the necessary health and other protocols 
41 
during travel are followed.  
 
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SEC. 7. Appropriations. – The funds necessary for the initial 
1 
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current 
2 
appropriations of the DOTr and DPWH. Thereafter, such funds as 
3 
necessary for the effective implementation of this Act shall be included in 
4 
the budgets of DOTr, DPWH and other appropriate agencies under the 
5 
annual General Appropriation Act.  
6 
 
7 
 
SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within thirty 
8 
(30) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DOTr, in coordination with 
9 
the DPWH, DILG, and other appropriate agencies and relevant 
10 
stakeholders, shall issue the rules and regulations for the effective 
11 
implementation of this Act. 
12 
 
13 
 
SEC. 9. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is 
14 
declared unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, the validity of the other 
15 
provisions shall not be affected thereby.   
16 
 
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SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. – All laws, orders, issuances, rules 
18 
and regulations or part thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act 
19 
are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.  
20 
 
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SEC. 11. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) 
22 
days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) 
23 
newspapers of general circulation. 
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          Approved, 
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