Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

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Time:

SEVENTEENTH (17") CONGRESS fi er

First Regular Session fi 2,

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HOUSE BILL NO. 386 4

Introduced by Hon. Tricia Nicole Q, Velasco - Catera

EXPLANATORY NOTE.

In some parts of the country, people are discovering the personal benefits of biking, such
as improved health and savings from transportation expenses. Aside from these personal
benefits, the use of bicycles as a primary mode of transportation benefits the country largely
because it contributes to a greener environment by reducing carbon gas emissions from motor
vehicles; reduces traffic congestion; helps the economy by lessening imports costs of crude oil;
and improves labor productvity by the presence of a healthy population. Evidently, it is in the
interest of the State to encourage everyone to take up biking for transport purposes, recreation
and for sports.

In order to achieve this, it is incumbent upont the State to formulate a comprehensive
national bicycle program that will provide an integrated network of bicycle lanes, parking
provisions, rider and public education, support facilities, and safety infrastructure.

We must follow the examples of cities around the world that have succesfully created
bike-friendly communities such as Amsterdam, Barcelona, Basel, Berlin, Beijing, Singapore,
Strasbourg and New York. This can only be achieved through committed bike-focused
infrastructure, smart engineering, and proper planning.

s bill likewise recognizes that in order for bicycles to truly gain acceptance as
alternative means of transportation, we must encourage the use of technologies that will enable
cyclists to get to their destinations more quickly and efficiently, without compromising their
safety, as well as the safety of those around them. For instance, the European Committee for
Standardization has adopted the EN15194 standard, which covers electrically powered cycles
that have a maximum rated power of 250 Watts, of which the output is progressively reduced
and finally cut off as the vehicle reaches a speed of 25 km/h, or sooner, if the cyclist stops
pedaling, Bicycles with these specifications are allowed to use bike lanes in most European
countries, as well as in Australia and Singapore.


The bill seeks to provide the necessary framework for nationwide bike-friendly
communities that will help the nation realize the great benefits biking has to offer.

Immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

TRICIA MCOLE Q. CATERA - VELASCO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH (17™) CONGRESS.
First Regular Session

uno8954_

HOUSE BILL NO;

Introduced by Hon. Tricia Nicole Q. Velasco - Catera

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL BICYCLE PROGRAM AND AN
INTEGRATED NETWORK OF BICYCLE LANES

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 “National Bike Program of
2016”.

SEC. 2. Dedaration of Policy, - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote
environmentally sound and affordable means of transportation for its citizens that shall serve as
an alternative to vehicles which consume fuel, It is also the policy of the State to protect the
welfare and safety of the commuting public and all road users. Towards this end, the State shall
promote cycling as a means of transportation by establishing a comprehensive network of
bicycle lanes and a national bicycle program.

‘The State shall ensure that the needs and safety of all road users, particularly the
pedestrians and cyclists, are fully integrated into the planning, design, operation, and maitenance
of the country’s transportation system.

. 3. Definition of terms, ~ For the purpose of this Act, the term ~

(a) “Bike” or “Bicycle” means a vehicle primarily propelled by human power,
consisting of a light frame mounted on two wheels (one behind the other) or three
wheels (the front having one wheel and the rear having two wheels that are
equidistant from the center of the vehicle, or vice-versa), and having a seat,
handlebars for steering, brakes, and pedals.

It shall include an Electrically Power Assisted Cycle (EPAC), the specifications of


which shall be determined by the Secretary of the Department of Transportation and
‘Communications through the appropriate rules and regulations, taking into account
internationally accepted standards and safety considerations.

(b) “Cyclist” shall refer to a person who rides a bicycle;

(c) “DOTC” means the Department of Transportation and Communications; and

(d) “Seoretary’ means the Secretary of the Department of Transportation and
Sommunication.

SEC. 4, Establishing a National Bike Program. ~ The Secretary shall establish a national
bike program under the DOTC to promote safe biking in all towns and cities. The program shall
include the construction and maintenance of bicycle lanes, parking, and suport facilities, The
retary shall also create an educational and awareness program on traffic safety. ‘The Secretary
the assistance of other departments or government agencies to carry out this section.

. 5. Bicycle Lanes. — There shall be designated bicycle lanes in all primary and
secondary roads that shall be accessible only to bicycles. Pedestrians shall not use these lan
and motor vehicles shall be prohibited from driving or parking on any bicycle lane,

The bicycle lanes shall be separated by a physical barrrier and shall clearly be identified
with signs and/or pavement markings. In cases where the installation of a physical barrier is not
feasible, the lane for bicyles shall be identified through reflectorized yellow painted lines,
Bicycle lanes must never compromise the mobility and safety of pedestrians.

‘The bicycle lanes should form a transport network that shall traverse across all towns and
cities and connect to all major forms of transport, including airports and pi

8.

Cyclists shall be required to bike within such lanes unless no bike lanes have been
designated on such roads. Cyclists must obey all traffie rules and regulations except those which
are not applicable to bicycles.

SEC. 6. Bicycle Parking. ~ All public places, government offices, schools, major business
establishments including malls, banks, restaurants, hospitals and the like, are hereby required to
provide bicycle racks for bicycle parking. Bicycle parking should be secure, visible, accessible,
and shall not impede pedestrians or motor vehicles.

SEC. 7. Bicyde Infrastructure, ~ In addition to the bicycle lanes and bicycle parking
areas, support faciities shall be established to ensure that cyclists and their bicyles can travel
safely and to lessen the possibility of collisions with pedestrians. These facilities include, but are
not limited, to the following:



(a) Sidewalk improvements;

(b) Traffic calming and speed reduction;

(c) Pedestrian and bicycle crossing improvements;

(d) Traffic signage pertaining to bicycles;

(e) Sidewalk lamp posts to provide sufficient lighting;

() Off-street pedestrians and bicycle facilities; and

(g) Traffic diversion improvements.

SEC. 8. Educational Program. — ‘The Secretary, in cooperation with the Department of
Education, the Commission on Higher Education, and local governments, shall establish an
educational program to increase awareness on bike safety and road sharing. The program shall be

designed for traffic enforcers, motorists, cyclists, and the commuting public, The program shall
include:

(a) Traffic education and enforcement;

(b) Free clinies/elasses promoting bicycle as an alternative mode of transportation for
the general public;

(©) Motorist awareness and road-sharing; and

(a) Bicycle and pedestrian safety.

EC. 9. Bicycle Safety Rules ~ The Secretary shall promulgate such traffic rules and
regulations to ensure cyclists safety and welfare, which shall be included in the implementing
rules and regulation of this Act. These rules shall be strictly enforced and applied to all motorists
and cyclists nationwide,

SEC. 10. Carles Day, - To promote the use of bicycles, the country shall participate in
the annual celebration of World Car-Free Day. The second Sunday of September shall be
designated as Carless Day. The Secretary is hereby mandated to determine the primary and
secondary roads to be carless during this annual celebration,

SEC. 11. Bike to Work. — The DOTC shall establish a program that gives incentives to
private and government offices that encourage their employess to ride their bicycles to work by


providing bicycle facil

ies within their establishments, lockers, and showers.

SEC. 12, Penalties. -

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Any person or establishment who violates the provisions of this Act shall be
punished by a fine not exceeding one thousand pesos (P1,000.00). When the
offender is a corporation, the officers responsible for the violation shall be meted
said penalties;

Any public works official who or refuses to mark the existing main roads and
highways or approve the construction of main roads or highways without the
required bicyle lanes in their designs shall be punished by a fine of not less than ten
thousand pesos (P10,000.00) nor more than thirty thousand pesos (P30,000,00) or
suspension, or both, if found guilty in an appropriate administrative investigation.

SEC. 13, Grants, ~ In carrying out the provisions of this Act, the Secretary may make
grants to local government units, and non-governmental organizations that the Secretary
determines are suitably equipped and organized to carry out the objectives and requirements of
this Act. A local government unit that receives a grant under this section may sub-allocate grant
funds to a nonprofit organization to carry out the program.

SEC. 14. Implementing Rules and Regulations, ~ Within thirty (30) days after the

effectivity of this Act, a committee shall be created to formulate the implementing rules and

regulations therefor. The committee shall be composed of the followin;

(a)

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‘The Secretary of Transportation and Communications, or an authorized
representative, who shall serve as chair of the committee;

A representative from the Department of Public Works and Highways;

A representative from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources;
A representative from the Department of Interior and Local Government;

A representative from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority;

A professor from the University of the Philippines School of Urban and Regional
Planning; and

Two (2) representatives from various bicycle organizations,


Within six (6) months after the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary shall promulgate and
disseminate the implementing rules and regulations.

SEC. 15. Appropriations. — To carry out the provisions of this Act, such amount as may
be necessary is hereby authorized to be appropriated from the National Treasury. Thereafter, the
amount necessary for the continuous operation of the National Bike Program shall be included in
the annual appropriation of the DOTC.

SEC. 16. 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,

SEC. 17. Repealing Clause ~ If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provisions not otherwise affected shall remain

valid and subsisting

18, Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation,

Approved,