Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _________ 
 Introduced by Hon. Charisse Anne C. Hernandez 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Section 16, Article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, “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.”  
In an article by the Global Daily Mirror, citing a study by GoShorty, an insurance 
technology website based in the United Kingdom, reported that Manila, the capital city of the 
Philippines, has a 43 percent traffic congestion level and 98 hours wasted on traffic annually. 
This poses the question, Why is getting where we need to be so difficult? Road construction, 
accidents, overcrowding on a single route, and heavy pedestrian traffic are the main causes of 
traffic congestion. Despite the fact that all of these variables are manageable, little remedies 
have, shockingly, been offered up to this point.  
However, according to research from Carnegie Mellon University, short automobile 
journeys can be substituted with bike and scooter excursions to reduce traffic, but local 
communities need more micro mobility infrastructure to achieve this beneficial result.  
Furthermore, between 2005 and 2016, there was an average of 180.7 pedestrian 
fatalities reported in Metro Manila. As a result, pedestrians account for 19% of all road user 
fatalities, trailing only motorcyclists (53%). With this data, it only proves that providing a safe 
pathways network will reduce the vulnerability of pedestrians and non-motorized vehicle users 
against road mishaps. Lastly, it will encourage slower driving speeds, act as a barrier between 
pedestrians and motor vehicle traffic, and lessen the exposure of pedestrians to motor vehicles 
during crossings. 
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1:20 pm
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Thus, this bill seeks to empower and institutionalize active transport by establishing 
safe pathways network of bicycle lanes, walkways, and slow streets in order to decrease not 
only traffic volume, but also carbon emissions caused by private and public motorized vehicles 
by empowering and encouraging the citizenry to use said facilities provided in this bill. It will 
also provide a safe road environment, reducing the risk of road-related accidents. 
Most of all, the bill also seeks to emphasize its commitment towards sustainable 
development goals, to expand the economy while maintaining the biological diversity, essential 
ecosystem processes, and overall environmental quality of the nation. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
CHARISSE ANNE C. HERNANDEZ 
          Representative 
          Lone District, Calamba City


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _________
 Introduced by Hon. Charisse Anne C.  Hernandez 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A SAFE PATHWAYS NETWORK OF BICYCLE LANES, 
WALKWAYS AND SLOW STREETS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
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 “Safe Pathways Act” 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy - 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, and to protect and promote the right to health of the people and 
instill health consciousness among them. 
The State also recognizes the need for infrastructure and a mindset shift to support and 
accommodate non-motorized modes of transportation like walking, bicycling, and other non-
motorized vehicles as well as to provide safe and practical pathways for commuters, 
particularly for front-line workers in the health sector and other professions. 
Prioritizing walking, bicycling, and other non-motorized transportation will cut carbon 
emissions, require less energy and resources, improve quality of life, and have a number of 
positive health effects. 
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SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. — For purposes of this Act, these terms are defined as 
follows: 
a. 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, excluding motorcycles, tricycles, and other similar modes of transport; 
c. 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; 
d. 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 
e. 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. - Immediately upon effectivity of this Act, the 
Department of Transportation (DOTr) with the Department of Public Works and Highways 
(DPWH), and in coordination with the Local Government Unit (LGUs), shall identify and 
create a network of pop-up bicycle lanes. The pop-up bicycle lanes are strictly for bicycles and 
other non-motorized vehicles only, and 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. The 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. Electric scooters, electric bicycles, and other similar modes 
of transport may be allowed subject to the guidelines set by the DOTr and other appropriate 
agencies. 
To complement the network of pop-up bicycle lanes, LGUs shall create a designated 
network of people-oriented emergency pathways along local roads that will provide pedestrians 
and bicycle and non-motorized vehicles users safe, convenient access to frequented 


 
destinations by restricting motorized vehicle passage in these pathways during peak hours. The 
emergency pathways shall be clearly marked with signage containing restrictions. The DOTr 
and DPWH shall identify priority areas for implementation. 
SEC. 5. Traffic Law, Rules and Regulations.- All users of non-motorized vehicles and 
electric personal mobility devices shall obey traffic laws, rules and regulations and shall be 
subject to existing penalties for violation. 
The LGUs, in consultation with the DOTr and other appropriate agencies, shall issue 
ordinances for the safe use of bicycle lanes and the use of non-motorized vehicles and electric 
personal mobility devices. 
SEC. 6.  Bicycle Racks and other End-of-Trip Facilities.-  All public places, 
government offices, schools, places of work, mass transit and public utility vehicles 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 facilities, 
as needed. 
SEC. 7. Non-motorized Vehicle Parking Spaces  – All public places, government 
offices, schools, places of work and major commercial establishments, including malls, banks, 
hospitals, and the like shall provide, as far as practicable, adequate parking spaces for other 
non-motorized vehicles, and electric scooters, electric bicycles, and other similar modes of 
transport as allowed by the DOTr and other appropriate agencies.  
SEC. 8. Permanent Adoption of Safe Pathways Network. – The DOTr, DPWH and 
the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), in coordination with the appropriate 
agencies, shall prepare to permanently adopt the established bicycle lanes and emergency 
pathways, as may be appropriate. Pursuant to this, the LGUs shall clear all local roads and 
sidewalks of obstructions, and make the necessary improvements on existing structures. All 
non-motorized vehicle parking spaces and bicycle and other end-of-trip facilities shall also be 
made permanent, as may be appropriate and practicable.  
Further, the DPWH shall revise its manuals and guidelines for road design and 
construction to include non-motorized vehicles in the allocation of road space on national and 
local roads, and to promote safety of pedestrians and non-motorized vehicle users.  


 
The LGUs shall coordinate and issue the necessary measures for the adoption and 
implementation of the Safe Pathways Network, in compliance with the implementing rules and 
regulations as provided in Section 9 of this Act. 
SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within thirty (30) days from the 
effectivity of this Act, the DOTr, in coordination with the DPWH, DILG, and other appropriate 
agencies, shall promulgate and issue the necessary guidelines for the effective implementation 
of this Act. The implementing rules and regulations issued pursuant to this Section shall take 
effect thirty (30) days after its publication in two (2) national newspaper of general circulation 
SEC. 10.  Appropriations. - The funds necessary for the implementation of this Act 
shall be sourced from the amounts set aside by LGUs for the infrastructure projects within their 
jurisdiction, as well as from the appropriations of the DOTr and the DPWH under the General 
Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 11. Separability Clause. – If, for any reason, any section of this Act shall be 
deemed unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions hereof shall not be affected 
and shall thereby remain in force and effect. 
SEC. 12. Repealing Clause. – All laws, executive orders, decrees, instructions, rules 
and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with any provision of this Act are hereby repealed 
or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 13. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved,