. PRESEN

Republic of the Philippines iS
HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES &

Ie RECEIVED %

Quezon City c DATES. ste 06

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS ® TIMES! 9
Second Regular Session Ne BY:

HOUSE BILL No._7062

Introduced by HON. CRISTAL L: BAGATSING

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A NETWORK OF POP-UP BICYCLE LANES AND EMERGENCY
PATHWAYS FOR USE DURING THE DURATION OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Explanatory Note
Article Il, Section 15 and 16 of the 1987 Constitution provides that:

“Section 15. The State shall protect and promote the right to
health of the people and instill health consciousness among
them”

“Section 16. 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 view of the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, the State through
the Inter Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious
Diseases (“IATF”) has adopted measures for containment and mitigation of
the spread of the virus. The public and private transportation system has
been heavily affected by such IATF measures.

According to World Resources Institute, as of mid-April 2020, more
than 3.9 billion people are under full or partial lockdown orders. Cities have
curtailed many public transit operations because of declining ridership and
health concerns. Some evidence suggests many people are turning to
cycling as a resilient and reliable option to fill the gap. Many urban cycling
networks have seen a surge in traffic, including China, Germany, Ireland,
the United Kingdom and the United States. In Philadelphia, cycling has
increased by more than 150% during the COVID-19 outbreak. Some
governments are responding to the spike in demand by opening emergency
bike lanes and giving essential workers personal access to their own bikes
from shared fleets. At a time when city leaders are rethinking many past
assumptions, this trend is a unique opportunity to embrace cycling as an
integral part of urban transport systems — not just an accessory. Cities need
more resilient, more equitable mobility - not only to weather the current
storm, but to prepare for future crises. (https://www.wri.org)


The features of this bill are as follows:

4. The Department of Transportation (DOTR) with the Department
of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Local
Government Units (LGUs) shall identify and create a network of
pop-up bicycle lanes.

. The provision of parking spaces for non-motorized vehicle.

. The role of Public and Private Sectors by developing the
necessary infrastructures and facilities.

eon

Hence, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly requested.

5* district of Manila


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS.
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.__7062

Introduced by HON. CRISTAL L. BAGATSING

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A NETWORK OF POP-UP BICYCLE LANES AND
EMERGENCY PATHWAYS FOR USE DURING THE DURATION OF
THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC,
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 "Safe Pathways
Act’

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of 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 State shall, consistent with
the National Action Plan Against COVID-19, mitigate the consequences
and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to the social, economic, and
personal security of the Filipino people.

The State recognizes that the current transportation system does not
address the need for physical distancing The State acknowledges the need
for infrastructure and a change in mindset to encourage and accommodate
alternative modes of transportation such as walking, bicycles and other
non-motorized vehicles, and to provide safe and convenient pathways for
pedestrians and non-motorized travel. The State further recognizes that
prioritizing walking, biking and the use of non-motorized vehicles will result
in reduced carbon emissions, less use of energy and resources, and
provide multiple health benefits and increase quality of life. These are also
in line with the State's commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs), in particular: 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 State further recognizes as an urgent need during the COVID-19
pandemic, to ensure physical distancing and given the limited forms of
transportation available to frontliners and essential workers for so long as
there is reduced mobility.

Sec. 3. Safe Pathways Network. - Immediately upon the effectivity of this
Act, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) with the Department of Public
Works and Highways (DPWh), and in coordination with Local Government
Units (LGUs), shall identify and create a network of pop-up bicycle lanes
that may be used during the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pop-
up bicycle lanes are strictly for the exclusive use of bicycles and other non-
motorized vehicles, in order to connect users to vital destinations such as
medical facilities, public and private facilities frequented by people, private
homes, educational institutions as soon as they open, and other similar
locations that offer essential goods and services 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.

For purposes of this Act, "Non-Motorized Vehicles" includes all forms
of travel that do not rely on an engine or motor for movement, including but
not limited to, walking, bicycles, and small-wheeled non-motorized
transport (skates, skateboards, push scooters and hand carts).

The pop-up bicycle lanes must have the necessary space to
accommodate the expected increase of users, and the need to comply with
physical distancing measures prescribing that users remain at least one (1)
meter apart from each other.

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 vehicle users safe, convenient access to frequented
destinations, by restricting passage in these pathways by motorized vehicle
during peak hours. The emergency pathways shall be clearly marked with
signs restricting such use by motorized vehicles.

The DOTr and DPWH shall identify priority areas for implementation
of the Safe Pathways Network.

Sec. 4. Non-Motorized Vehicle Parking Spaces. - All public places,
government offices, schools, places of work and major commercial
establishments offering goods and services, including malls, banks,
hospitals, and other similar establishments, shall provide adequate parking
spaces for bicycles and other non-motorized vehicles as far as practicable.

Sec. 5. Role of the Public and Private Sectors. - Both the public and
private sectors shall promote walking and the use of bicycles and other
non-motorized vehicles as an alternative means of travel. They shall
develop the necessary infrastructure, facilities and programs that enable
the sustained use of these alternative means of travel, such as but not
limited to, exclusive bicycle lanes and paths, secure parking spaces, and
showers and changing areas for riders. Such infrastructure, facilities, and


programs should be able to accommodate the prescribed physical
distancing measures for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. .

Sec. 6. Permanent Adoption of Safe Pathways Network. - The DOTr
and DPWH, in coordination with the appropriate agencies, shall prepare to
permanently adopt the established bicycle lanes and emergency pathways,
as may be appropriate, even after the threat of COVID- 19 as declared by
the proper authorities has passed. Pursuant to this, the non-motorized
parking spaces and other infrastructure developed as part of the Safe
Pathways Network shall also be made permanent as may be appropriate
and practicable.

Sec. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within thirty (30) days
from the effectivity of this Act, the DOTr 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
newspapers of general circulation.

Sec. 8. Appropriations. - The funds necessary for the _ initial
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the appropriations of
the DOTr, DPWH, and LGUs as needed. Thereafter, funding shall be
included in the budget of the DOTr and DPWH under the annual General
Appropriations Act.

Sec. 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, the validity of the other provisions
shall not be affected thereby.

Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. -All other laws, decrees, orders, rules and
regulations, other issuances, or parts thereof inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.