TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
25 AUG-4 P6:12
SENATE
S. No. 883
RIXOVED BY;.
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING ACTIVE TRANSPORT BY ESTABLISHING A SAFE 
PATHWAYS NETWORK OF BICYCLE LANES, WALKWAYS AND SLOW 
STREETS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The implementation of transport and mobility restrictions during the COVID-19 
pandemic forced many people to either walk from their homes to their workplaces and 
vice versa, or purchase budget-friendly vehicles such as bicycles. While these options 
promote physical and ecological health, major thoroughfares were not ready to 
accommodate the wave of new road users. Years after the pandemic, people 
continued using these alternative modes of transportation after seeing their benefits 
to physical health and financial aspect.
Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 included among its Legislative Agenda 
to Expand and Upgrade Infrastructure the "Enactment of a law institutionalizing the 
use of bicycles and other active and sustainable modes of transportation, including 
updating standards for accessible and safe pathways, and green open spaces." The 
proposed measure is envisioned "to shift the role of bicycles and other forms of non- 
motorized and active transportation, from being an "alternative mode" toward an 
institutionalized mode of transport that is integrated in the transportation network of 
the country. This will be done by providing the necessary infrastructure and support


services, establishing safety and design standards for universally accessible and safe 
pathways and green open spaces, and increasing public awareness on road safety and 
road sharing among motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians."1
The " Walkable and Bikeable Communities Act seeks to establish a Safe 
Pathways Network which is composed of bicycle lanes, walkways, and slow streets. 
To ensure safety and responsibility, all users of non-motorized vehicles and electric 
personal mobility devices shall be subject to traffic laws, rules and regulations.
This measure is an instrument in fulfilling our commitment to the Sustainable 
Development Goals (SDGs), particularly: SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being); SDG 7 
(Affordable and Clean Energy); SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure); SDG 
11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities); SDG 13 (Climate Action); and SDG 17 
(Partnerships for the Goals).
The immediate passage of this bill is recommended.
NGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA
1 Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 - Philippine Development Plan
2


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 883
f .,:
'(®Wtfp of i!ic 5 Vi. rtar?
25 AUG-4 P6;12
RECEIVED 8V.
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING ACTIVE TRANSPORT BY 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:
1 
Section 1. Short Tide. — This Act shall be known as the " Waikabie andBikeabie
2 
Communities Act.
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The Constitution mandates the State to protect
4 
and advance the right of the Filipino people to a balanced and healthful ecology in
5 
accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature, to protect and promote the right to
6 
health of the people and instill health consciousness among them.
7 
The State recognizes the urgent need to safeguard the public's health during
8 
the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic by promoting physical distancing. It acknowledges
9 
that the current transportation system compromises the safety of health workers,
10 
other essential 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
13 
as walking, biking, and the use of other non-motorized vehicles and to provide safe
14 
and convenient pathways for commuters. It further acknowledges the need to provide
15 
quick solutions to long-standing mobility issues brought to light by this pandemic and
16 
that may arise again in other emergency situations.


1 
Prioritizing active transport will result in reduced carbon emissions, reduced
2 
road congestion, less use of energy and resources, as well as less dependence on oil,
3 
lightening the impact of oil price shocks. It will also provide multiple health benefits
4 
and enhance the quality of life.
5 
These are also in line with the State's commitment to the Sustainable
6 
Development Goals (SDGs), in particular: SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being); SDG
7 
7 (Affordable and Clean Energy); SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure);
8 
SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities); SDG 13 (Climate Action); and SDG 17
9 
(Partnerships for the Goals).
10 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, these terms are defined
11 
as follows:
12 
a) Active transport refers to physical activity undertaken as a means of
13 
transport, such as walking or cycling and the use of other non-motorized
14 
vehicles;
15 
b) Electronic persona! mobility devices refer to any electric motorized device
16 
exclusively used for transporting an individual. This includes electric bicycles
17 
and electric kick scooters, excluding motorcycles, tricycles, and other similar
18 
modes of transport;
19 
c) End-of-trip facilities refer to facilities that cater to active transport users
20 
needs at their destinations, which may include shower and changing rooms,
21 
short- and long-term bicycle parking, bicycle repair stations, and lockers,
22 
among others;
23 
d) Non-motorized vehicles refer to all forms of transportation that do not rely
24 
on an engine or motor for movement, including, but not limited to, bicycles
25 
and small wheeled non-motorized transport, such as skateboards, push
26 
scooters, and handcarts; and
27 
e) Slow streets refer to local roads providing safe and convenient access and
28 
use by restricting motor vehicle access, use, or speed limits on certain days
29 
or hours in the day, or any combination of such measures as may be
30 
determined by the concerned local government unit (LGU), and prioritizing
31 
access and use by pedestrians, cyclists, and other non-motorized vehicle
32 
users.


1 
Sec. 4. Safe Pathways Network. — Within twelve (12) nnonths from the
2 
effectivity of this Act, the Safe Pathways Network shall be established for the use of
3 
active transport: Provided, That the use of electric personal mobility devices may be
4 
allowed subject to the guidelines set by the LCDs, in consultation with the Department
5 
of Transportation (DOTr).
6 
The Safe Pathways Network shall consist of the following:
7 
a) Bicycle lanes. LCDs, in consultation with the DOTr and the Department of
8 
Public Works and Highways (DPWH), shall identif/ and create a network of
9 
bicycle lanes, which may be temporary or permanent in nature. The
10 
temporary lanes alternatively known as pop-up lanes shall be set up,
11 
whenever necessary, including during emergency situations: Provided, That
12 
along national roads in Metro Manila, the DOTr, in coordination with the
13 
DPWH and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), shall be the
14 
lead implementing agency.
15 
Pop-up bicycle lanes may be marked with removable tapes and mobile
16 
signs, which can easily be placed and removed as necessary. Other physical
17 
barriers may also be used.
18 
The bicycle lanes shall, as much as practicable, directly connect users to
19 
essential destinations, such as medical facilities, public and private facilities
20 
frequented by people, schools, and other similar places that may be
21 
identified. Motorcycles, tricycles, and other similar modes of transport,
22 
whether powered by fossil fuel or electricity, are prohibited from using the
23 
bicycle lanes unless otherwise designed for sharing with such modes of
24 
transport.
25 
b) Walkways. Walkways shall be designated or constructed for the use of
26 
pedestrians, including the use of strollers and other children's mobility
27 
equipment. Walkways may also be shared with non-motorized vehicles and
28 
electric personal mobility devices, subject to the guidelines set by the LCDs
29 
and taking into account the safety of pedestrians.
30 
c) Slow streets. To complement the network of bicycle lanes, LGUs shall create
31 
a designated network of people-oriented slow streets, which may be
32 
temporary or permanent, that will provide safe and convenient access and


1 
use of specific local roads. Speed limits, access on certain days or hours in
2 
the day by motorized vehicles in slow streets, or any combination of such
3 
measures shall be determined by the concerned LGU. Motor vehicles of
4 
residents, delivery and trash collection vehicles servicing the area of the
5 
slow streets, and emergency services shall have access to slow streets
6 
subject to restrictions to be imposed by the LGU.
7 
Slow streets shall be clearly marked with signage specifying the
8 
restrictions. LGUs shall identify priority areas for implementation within their
9 
jurisdiction. The DOTr and DPWH may provide assistance in the
10 
identification of slow streets.
11 
Sec. 5. Institutional Facilities Pathways Priority. — LGUs shall coordinate with
12 
public and private institutions within their jurisdiction frequented by the public, such
13 
as but not limited to healthcare facilities and institutions, schools, churches, and
14 
government offices, to establish bicycle lanes, walkways and slow streets that can
15 
connect and provide safe access for the employees, customers and clients of such
16 
institutions as well as the general public, and to encourage the establishment of end-
17 
of-trip facilities within such institutions.
18 
Special attention shall be given towards the safety of healthcare workers and
19 
patients who use active transport to hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
20 
Sec. 6. Traffic Rules and Regulations. — All users of non-motorized vehicles and
21 
electric personal mobility devices shall, as far as applicable, obey traffic signals, signs
22 
and markers, road pavement markings, right-of-way, and other traffic rules and
23 
regulations.
24 
The LGUs, in consultation with the DOTr and other appropriate agencies, shall
25 
issue guidelines for the safe use of bicycle lanes and the use of non-motorized vehicles
26 
and electric personal mobility devices.
27 
Sec. 7. Bicycle Racks and other End-of-Trip Facilities. - All public places,
28 
government offices, schools, places of work, mass transit and public utility vehicle
29 
terminals, and commercial establishments, including but not limited to malls, banks,
30 
and hospitals, shall provide, as far as practicable, secure bicycle or multi-use racks
31 
and other end-of-trip facilities, as needed.


1 
Sec. 8. Role of Public and Private Sectors. - Both the public and private sectors
2 
shall promote active transport as a sustainable and healthy means of transportation
3 
and develop the Safe Pathways Network as provided under Section 4 of this Act, by
4 
putting up the necessary infrastructure facilities and programs. Further, the said
5 
sectors shall also provide, as far as practicable, additional support, benefits, subsidies,
6 
and training that will promote active transport.
7 
LCDs shall incorporate the creation of the Safe Pathways Network and their
8 
corresponding infrastructure in their local development plans.
9 
Sec. 9. Information and Education Campaign. — The DOTr, in coordination with
10 
other government agencies and the private sector, shall establish an information and
11 
education campaign on the importance of a shift to a sustainable and healthy mode
12 
of transportation, and the establishment and use of the Safe Pathways Network. The
13 
campaign shall be designed for all present and potential active transport users, traffic
14 
enforcers, motorists, non-motorized vehicle and electric personal mobility device
15 
users, the commuting public, and the community in general.
16 
Sec. 10. Design and Construction of Permanent Bicycle Lanes and Walkways. -
17 
Permanent bicycle lanes and walkways shall be designated or constructed with safety
18 
as the paramount concern. As much as practicable, permanent bicycle lanes and
19 
walkways shall be physically separated from the main road through physical barriers,
20 
or shall be elevated or otherwise constructed separately from the main road.
21 
In areas where the physical separation of bicycle lanes and walkways is not
22 
possible, the roads shall be adapted, as far as practicable, for shared use with active
23 
transport users. Painted road markers may also be used for roads with limited space.
24 
The DPWH, in coordination with the DOTr and LCDs, shall revise its manuals
25 
and guidelines for road design and construction to include non-motorized vehicles and
26 
electric personal mobility devices in the allocation of road space on national and local
27 
roads, and to promote the safety of active transport and electric personal mobility
28 
device users.
29 
Sec. 11. Reportoriai Requirement. - The DOTr shall submit an annual report to
30 
Congress on the establishment and use of the Safe Pathways Network for purposes of
31 
policy formulation and determining funding requirements. The report shall include


1 
relevant data such as the number of users of active transport and electric personai
2 
mobility devices, and mapping of the Safe Pathways Network in the country.
3 
To this end, LGUs shall submit to the DOTr the relevant information needed to
4 
formulate the report.
5 
Sec. 12. Sources of Funding. - The funds necessary for the implementation of
6 
this Act shali be sourced from the amounts set aside by LGUs for infrastructure projects
7 
within their jurisdiction, as weli as from the appropriations of the DOTr and DPWH
8 
under the General Appropriations Act, and the Speciai Road Fund from the Motor
9 
Vehicle User's Charge as provided under Repubiic Act No. 8794, as amended.
10 
Sec. 12. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
11 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the iaw or the provision or part not otherwise
12 
affected shail remain vaiid and subsisting.
13 
Sec. 13. Repealing Clause. — Any iaw, presidential decree or issuance, executive
14 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or
15 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, or amended
16 
accordingly.
17 
Sec. 14. Effectivity. - This Act shail take effect fifteen (15) days following its
18 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,