NINETEENTHCONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
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of 
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*22 JUL13 A10 :18
SENATE
472
S. No.
RHCBVEDB :
Introduced by SENATOR JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A SAFE PATHWAYS NETWORK OF BICYCLE LANES AND 
SLOW STREETS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
With the implementation of transport and mobility restric±ions during the early 
weeks of the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of commuters in public transportation 
was reduced to a minimum and several modes of transport including jeepneys and 
buses were prevented from plying their routes. As a result, many people were either 
forced to 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.
This bill, which was reported out by the Senate Committee on Sustainable 
Development Goals, Innovation and Futures Thinking and already approved on Third 
Reading during the 18th Congress, aims to establish a safe pathways network for use 
of non-motorized vehicles, including bicycles, push scooters and skateboards.
This measure is also included In the legislative priorities identified In the 
updated Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022, specifically in accelerating 
infrastructure development, and in ensuring ecological Integrity, clean and healthy 
environment.
In Chapter 19 of the PDP, with regard to the modernization of public 
transportation and in transitioning to the new normal: "Non-motorized transport (e.g.,


bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure) will be integrated into the existing network 
through retrofitting. The design of new projects will also consider features to 
encourage more walking and cycling trips. Standardized designs for bicycle and 
pedestrian infrastructure will be mainstreamed in projects of national transport 
agencies and LGUs. Existing and future transportation facilities will have infrastructure 
supporting non-motorized transport modes (e.g., bicycle racks, adequate pedestrian 
lighting) to promote multimodal mobility."
Meanwhile in Chapter 20 (Ensuring Ecological Integrity, Clean and Healthy 
Environment), it was mentioned that as a means to adopt and Implement innovative 
pollution abatement solutions, support must be given to "reforms on mass transport 
system, including the expansion of ride-sharing services to reduce proliferation of 
vehicles and promote the production and utilization of eco-friendly vehicles, as well as 
the use of non-motorized transport through the establishment of bicycles lanes and 
replication of local bike-sharing systems."
The immediate passage of this bill is recommended.
—
Y EJERCITO ESTRADA


NINETEENTHCONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE 
s. No. '^72
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’22 JUL 13 A10 :19 
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Introduced by SENATOR JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A SAFE PATHWAYS NETWORK OF BICYCLE LANES AND 
SLOW STREETS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1.Short Tide. - This Act shall be known as the ''Safe Pathways Network
Act'.
Sec. 1. 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.
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Action Plan Against COVID-19 
provides that the State shall mitigate its consequences and impact on the social, 
economic, and personal security of the Filipino people.
The State recognizes the urgent need to safeguard the public's health during 
the COVID-19 pandemic by ensuring physical distancing. It recognizes that the 
current transportation system compromises the safety of health workers, other 
frontllners, and commuters.
The State recognizes the need for infrasti ucture and a change In mindset to 
encourage and accommodate sustainable and healthy modes of transportation such 
as walking, biking, and the use of other non-motorized vehicles and to provide safe 
and convenient pathways for commuters. The State further acknowledges the need


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to provide a quick solution to mobility issues during this pandemic and other
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emergency situations that may arise.
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Prioritizing walking, biking, and the use of non-motorized vehicles will result in
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reduced carbon emissions, less use of energy and resources, and provide multiple
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health benefits and increase quality of life.
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These are also in line with the State's commitment to the Sustainable
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Development Goals (SDGs), in particular: SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being); SDG
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7 (Affordable and Clean Energy); SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure);
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SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities); SDG 13 (Climate Action); and SDG 17
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(Partnerships for the Goals).
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Sec. 3.Definition of Terms. — For purposes of this Act, these terms are defined
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as follows:
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(a) Electric persona! mobility devices refer to any electric motorized device
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exclusively used for transporting an individual. This includes electric
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bicycles and electric scooters, excluding motorcycles, tricycles and other
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similar modes of transport;
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(b) Non-motorized vehicles refer to all forms of transportation that do not
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rely on an engine or motor for movement, including, but not limited to,
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bicycles and shall wheeled non-motorized transport such as skateboards,
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push scooters, and handcarts; and,
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(c) Slow streets refer to local roads providing safe and convenient access to
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frequented destinations by restricting motor vehicle access, use or speed
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limits in certain days or hours in the day, as may be determined by the
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concerned local government unit (LGU), and prioritizing access and use
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by pedestrians, cyclists, and other non-motorized vehicle users.
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Sec. ^.Safe Pathways Network. - Immediately upon the effectivity of this Act,
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the Safe Pathways Network shall be established for the use of non-motorized vehicles:
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Provided, That the use of electric personal mobility devices may be allowed subject to
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the guidelines set by the LGUs, in consultation with the Department of Transportation
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(DOTr). The Safe Pathways Network shall consist of the following:
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(a) Bicycle lanes. LGUs, in consultation with the DOTr and the Department
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of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), shall identify and create a


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network of bicycle lanes, which may be temporary or permanent in
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nature. The temporary lanes alternatively known as pop-up lanes shall
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be set up, whenever possible, during the COVID-19 pandemic or
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whenever other emergency situations may arise: Provided, That along
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national roads In Metro Manila, the DOTr, in coordination with the Metro
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Manila Development Authority (MMDA), shall be the lead Implementing
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agency.
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Pop-up bicycle lanes may be marked with removable tapes and mobile
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signs, which can easily be placed and removed as necessary. Other
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physical barriers may also be used.
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The bicycle lanes shall, as much as practicable, directly connect users to
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essential destinations, such as medical facilities, public and private
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facilities frequented by people, schools, and other similar places that
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may be identified. Motorcycles, tricycles, and other similar modes of
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transport, whether powered by gas or electricity, are prohibited from
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using the bicycle lanes; and,
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(b) Slow streets. To complement the network of bicycle lanes, LCDs shall
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create a designated network of people-oriented slow streets, which may
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be temporary or permanent, along local roads that will provide
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pedestrians and non-motorized vehicle users safe and convenient access
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to frequented destinations. Speed limits and access on certain days or
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hours by motorized vehicles in slow streets shall be determined by the
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concerned LGU. Motor vehicles or residents, delivery, and trash
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collection vehicles servicing the area of the slow streets and emergency
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services shall have access to slow street subject to restrictions to be
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imposed by the LGU.
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Slow streets shall be clearly marked with signage specifying the
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restrictions. The DOTr and DPWH shall identify priority areas for
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implementation.
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Sec. 5. Health Facilities Loop. ~ LGUs shall coordinate with health facilities within
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their jurisdiction to establish pop-up bicycle lanes and slow streets that can connect
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and provide safe access for healthcare workers to hospitals and other health centers.


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Health facilities loops may be permanently adopted, as far as practicable.
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Sec. ^.Traffic Laws, Rules and Regulations. - All users of non-motorized
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vehicles and electric personal mobility devices shall obey traffic laws, rules and
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regulations and shall be subject to existing penalties for violation.
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The LGUs, in consultation with DOTr and other appropriate agencies, shall issue
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guidelines for the safe use of bicycle lanes and the use of non-motorized vehicles and
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electric personal mobility devices.
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Sec. 1.Bicycle Racks and other End-of-Trip Facilities, - All public places,
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government offices, schools, places of work, and commercial establishments, including
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malls, banks, hospitals, and the like shall provide, as far as practicable, bicycle or
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multi-use racks and other end-of-trip facilities as needed.
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Sec. S.Role of Public and Private Sectors. - Both the public and private sectors
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shall promote walking and the use of bicycles and other non-motorized vehicles as a
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sustainable and healthy means of transportation. They shall develop Safe Pathways
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Network by putting up the necessary Infrastructure facilities and programs as provided
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by this Act. They shall also provide, as far as practicable, additional support, benefits,
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subsidies, and training that will promote walking, biking, and the use of other non-
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motorized vehicles.
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LGUs shall incorporate the creation of the Safe Pathways Network and their
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corresponding infrastructure in their local development plans.
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Sec. 9.Information Campaign. ~ The DOTr, In coordination with other
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government agencies and the private sector, shall establish an information campaign
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on the importance of a shift to a sustainable and nealthy mode of transportation, and
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the establishment and use of the Safe Pathways Network. The program shall be
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designed for traffic enforcers, motorists, non-motorized vehicle and electric personal
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mobility device users, the commuting public, and the community in general.
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Sec. 19. Design and Construction of Permanent Bicycle Lanes. - The DPWH, in
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coordination with LGUs, shall revise its manuals and guidelines for road design and
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construction to include non-motorized vehicles and electric personal mobility devices
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in the allocation of road space on national and local roads, and to promote the safety
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of pedestrians and non-motorized vehicle and electric personal mobility device users.
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Permanent bicycle lanes shall be constructed with safety as the paramount concern.


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As much as practicable, permanent bicycle lanes shall be physically separated from
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the main road through physical barriers, or shall be elevated or otherwise constructed
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separately from the main road. Painted road markers may also be used for roads with
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limited space.
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Sec. 11.Sources of Funding. - The funds necessary for the implementation of
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this Act shall be sourced from the appropriations of the DOTr and DPWH under the
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General Appropriations Act and the Local Road Support Fund from the Motor Vehicle
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User's Charge as provided under Republic Act No. 8794, as amended.
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Sec. 12.Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision or part not otherwise
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affected shall remain valid and subsisting.
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Sec. 13.Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
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order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or
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inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, or amended
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accordingly.
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Sec. l^.Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication In the Official Gazette or In a newspaper of general circulation.
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Approved,