cere
Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

‘TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

805

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative EDUARDO R. RAMA JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

“The use of bicycles in the Philippincs has significantly gonc up as a mcans to address the
need for a safer alternative mode of transportation. A confluence of factors led to more and more

people use bicycles not only for leisure, but as a valid form of transportation nationwide.

According to an SWS data, 20% of households owned at cast one bicycle by May 2021,
while 5% of households indicated that they owned a four-wheeled motor vehicle, outnumbering
the motor-vehicle users by a staggering 4:1 ratio.' Similarly, a survey commissioned by the
Department of Health in 2020 shows that 85% of Filipinos agree that their city or municipality
could become a great place for cycling or walking, and a further 87% agreeing that our cities are
better off with cycling and walking being prioritized over private vehicles?

Despite this, bicycles have been largely invisible to transportation planners and
government officials. There are no set and clear guidelines to make cycling safer for Filipinos. This
bill secks to institutionalize a framework for a bicycle law by clearly defining the nights, duties, and
obligations of cyclists, and ensuring the creation of bikeways and interconnecting bicycle lane

networks will be integrated in infrastructure projects nationwide.

* Bosshard, H. “SWS: Bike usage increased in PH during the pandemic". 7 February 2022. https://visor ph /bikes/sws-bikes-are-
peeferred-mode-of-ranspo-in-ph/

1d


It's about time that we create policies and build infrastructure that benefit the majority

rather than the few, as in the end we can all benefit from a much more livable country.
‘Thus, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

a

REP. EDUARDO R. RAMA JR.
2 District, City of Cebu


wewn

a

10
com
12
13
14

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City, Metro Manila

‘TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 805°

Introduced by Representative EDUARDO R. RAMA JR.

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 2025."

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 cheaper altemative 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 whecled vehicle having a rear drive which is solely human powered
and having a scat height of 25 inches or greater when the seat is in the lowest possible position;
(B) "Local Bikeways Office (LBO)" refers to the agency in charge of implementing

policies, rules and regulations pertinent to this Act;

(© “Cyclise” shall refer to drivers of bicycles;


wewne

a

10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
2
22
23

24
25
26
27

28
29
30

(D) “Department” shall refer to the Department of Public Works and Highways.

(F) “Driver” means any person who drives a vehicle, motorized or nonmotorizeds

(F) "Lane” means any longitudinal strips designated for passage of bicycles;

(G)"Non-Motorized Transport (NMT)" means any vehicle which docs not use a motorized engine;

(i) “Road” means the entire sucface 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 engincering office.

SECTION 5. Powers and Functions of the Local Bikeways Office. - The LBO shall be
an adjunct of the city or municipal engineering office and shall have the following powers and

functions:

> 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 arcas of the network;

c. To encourage partnership with local and foreign organizations to facilitate easy access to
bicycles;

4. To conduct education and information drives on the benefits of using bicycles or NMTs in
order to promote the usage of the same;

¢. To cause all bicycles operating on the bikeways to be registered and determine therefore the
manner of such registration;

£ 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. Establishment of a National Bike Program. — Within 6 months fiom the
issuance of Internal Rules and Regulations (IRR), the DOT¢ in coordination with DPWH and
NEDA, shall come up with a National Bike Program which shall formulate the policies and

roadmap on the national and local bieycle transportation system.

SECTION 6. Bicycle Park. — Each city or municipality shall create, through the LB 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 arcas and similar infrastructure. Such Bicycle Parks


Carvnnewne

10
i
12
13
14
as
16
7
18
19
20
2
22

23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33

shail 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;

¢. A trailer or semiteailer may be attached to the bicycle;

d. Right and left tum signals shall be given not less than 100 feet fom tum and while stopped
waiting to tur. Such signals may be given intermittently rather than continuously if the hand giving
the signal is needed to control the bicycle;

¢. An audible signal shall be given before overtaking;

£. 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. bicycle and its corresponding cyclist may be equipped with additional lights and reflectors;

hh. 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;

j. Every bicycle shall be equipped with brakes that are capable of stopping the bicycle within
twenty-five (25) feet from a speed of 10mph 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 side a bicycle on a sidewalk or crosswalk;

¢. Acyclist shall not carry anything on the bicycle unless it is in a basket, bag, rack or trailer designed
for that purpose;

£. A modified bicycle is not allowed on the bikeways, or that which makes the hands higher than
the shoulders when gripping the handlebars;


Bwne

wCauann

10
1

12
13
14
15

16
7
18
19
20
21
22
23
24

25
26
27

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 shail
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 teaffic traveling on the same side of the bikeway.

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
4 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 ciccumstances:

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 of 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-ofWay 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.


oN nnewne

10
11
12
13

14
15
16
7
18
19
20
2a
2
23
24
25
26
27
28
29

SECTION 13. Motor Vehicies 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.

SECTION 16. Penalties. —

4. Any petson who violates any of the provisions of this Act shall be subject to the penalty
of a fine of not less than Five Thousand Pesos (P5,000.00) but not more than Ten
‘Thousand Pesos (P 10,000.00).

b. Any public works official who approves the construction of roads or highways without the
required bike ianes in their design shall be subject to the penalty of a fine of not less than
‘Ten Thousand Pesos (PHP 10,000) but not more than ‘Thirty Thousand Pesos (PHP
30,000.) the penalty of suspension, or both.

©. Any person violating the prohibition on the use of bike lanes by motor vehicles shall be
subject to the penaity of a fine of not less than Five ‘Thousand Pesos (PEP 5,000) for the
1 Offense; Ten Thousand Pesos (PHP 10,000) for the 2nd Offense; Fifteen Thousand
Pesos (PHP 15,000) and the suspension of driver's license for a period of three (3) months
for the 3 Offense; and Twenty Thousand Pesos (PHP 20,000) and the revocation of

Jffense.

driver’s license for the 4”
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.


w

Counue

10

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 Ciause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order,
letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation conteary 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 atleast two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,