Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Philippines 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
SECOND REGULAR SESSION 
House Bill No. _____ 
Introduced by HON. JAMES “JOJO” ANG JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The bill seeks to create a comprehensive and interconnected system of bicycle lanes, 
walkways, and slow streets to provide safe, accessible, and sustainable transportation 
options for the public. 
The bill recognizes the importance of promoting non-motorized transportation, such as 
walking and cycling, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance public health, 
improve urban mobility, and foster a more livable and inclusive community. 
The Safe Pathways Network will be designed to prioritize accessibility for all members 
of the community, including people with disabilities and mobility challenges. By 
ensuring inclusive infrastructure and facilities, the bill aims to enable people of all ages 
and abilities to conveniently and safely use of these facilities. 
As our cities faces multi-faceted challenges of traffic congestion, air pollution, and rising 
fuel costs, promoting active transportation options like walking and cycling and other 
non-motorized means becomes a viable solution to these challenges. 
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
JAMES “JOJO” ANG JR. 
Uswag Ilonggo Party-list 
August 7, 2023
3:52 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Philippines 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
FIRST REGULAR SESSION 
House Bill No. _____ 
Introduced by HON. JAMES “JOJO” ANG JR. 
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: 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Walkable and Bikeable 
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Communities Act" 
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. – The Constitution mandates the State to protect and advance 
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the right of the Filipino people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the 
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rhythm and harmony of nature, to protect and promote the right to health of the people 
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and instill health consciousness among them. 
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The State recognizes the urgent need to safeguard the public's health during the 
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ongoing COVID-19 pandemic by promoting physical distancing. It acknowledges that 
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the current transportation system compromises the safety of health workers, other 
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essential workers, and commuters. 
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The State also affirms the need for infrastructure and a change in mindset to 
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encourage and accommodate sustainable and healthy modes of active transport such as 
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walking, biking, and the use of other non-motorized vehicles and to provide safe and 
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convenient pathways for commuters. It further acknowledges the need to provide quick 
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solutions to long-standing mobility issues brought to light by this pandemic and that may 
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arise again in other emergency situations. 
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Prioritizing active transport will result in reduced carbon emissions, reduced road 
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congestion, less use of energy and resources, as well as less dependence on oil, lightening 
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the impact of oil price shocks. It will also provide multiple health benefits and enhance 
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the quality of life. 
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These are also in line with the State's commitment to the Sustainable Development 
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Goals (SDGs), in particular: SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being); SDG 7 (Affordable and 
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Clean Energy); SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure): SDG 11 (Sustainable 
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Cities and Communities); SDG 13 (Climate Action); and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the 
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Goals). 
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Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, these terms are defined as follows: 
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a. Active transport refers to physical activity undertaken as a means of transport, 
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such as walking or cycling and the use of other non-motorized vehicles; 
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b. Electric personal mobility devices refer to any electric motorized device 
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exclusively used for transporting an individual. This includes electric bicycles and 
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electric kick scooters, excluding motorcycles, tricycles, and other similar modes of 
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transport; 
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c. End-of-trip facilities refer to facilities that cater to active transport users' needs at 
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their destinations, which may include shower and changing rooms, short- and 
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long-term bicycle parking, bicycle repair stations, and lockers, among others; 
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d. Non-motorized vehicles refer to all forms of transportation that do not rely on an 
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engine or motor for movement, including, but not limited to, bicycles and small 
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wheeled non-motorized transport, such as skateboards, push scooters, and 
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handcarts; and, 
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e. Slow streets refer to local roads providing safe and convenient access and use by 
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restricting motor vehicle access, use, or speed limits on certain days or hours in 
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the day, or any combination of such measures as may be determined by the 
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concerned local government unit (LGU), and prioritizing access and use by 
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pedestrians, cyclists, and other non-motorized vehicle users. 
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Sec. 4. Safe Pathways Network. - Within twelve (12) months from the effectivity of this Act, 
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the Safe Pathways Network shall be established for the use of active transport: 
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Provided, That the use of electric personal mobility devices may be allowed subject to the 
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guidelines set by the LGUs, in consultation with the Department of Transportation 
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(DOTr). 
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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 of Public 
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Works and Highways (DPWH), shall identify and create a network of bicycle 
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lanes, which may be temporary or permanent in nature. The temporary lanes 
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alternatively known as pop-up lanes shall be set up, whenever necessary, 
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including during emergency situations: Provided, That along national roads in 
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Metro Manila, the DOTr. in coordination with the DPWH and the Metro Manila 
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Development Authority (MMDA), shall be the lead implementing agency. 
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Pop-up bicycle lanes may be marked with removable tapes and mobile 
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signs, which can casily be placed and removed as necessary. Other physical 
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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 facilities 
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frequented by people, schools, and other similar places that may be identified. 
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Motorcycles, tricycles, and other similar modes of transport, whether powered by 
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fossil fuel or electricity, are prohibited from using the bicycle lanes unless 
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otherwise designed for sharing with such modes of transport. 
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b. Walkways. Walkways shall be designated or constructed for the use of pedestrians, 
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including the use of strollers and other children's mobility. Walkways may also be 
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shared with non-motorized vehicles and electric personal mobility devices, subject 
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to the guidelines set by the LGUs and taking into account the safety of pedestrians. 
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c. Slow streets. To complement the network of bicycle lanes, L.GUs shall create 
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network of people-oriented slow streets, which may be permanent, that will 
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provide safe and convenient access and use vehicles in determined by the 
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concerned LGU. Motor vehicles of residents, delivery and trash collection vehicles 
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servicing the area of the slow strects, and emergency services shall have access to 
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slow streets subject to restrictions to be imposed by the LGU. 
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Slow streets shall be clearly marked with signage specifying the restrictions. 
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LGUs shall identify priority areas for implementation within their jurisdiction. The 
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DOTr and DPWH may provide assistance in the identification of slow streets. 
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Sec. 5. Institutional Facilities Pathways Priority. – LGUs shall coordinate with public and 
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private institutions within their jurisdiction frequented by the public, such as but not 
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limited to healthcare facilities and institutions, schools, churches, and government 
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offices, to establish bicycle lanes, walkways and slow streets that can connect and provide 
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safe access for the employees, customers and clients of such institutions as well as the 
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general public, and to encourage the establishment of end-of-trip facilities within such 
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institutions. 
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Special attention shall be given towards the safety of healthcare workers and 
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patients who use active transport to hospitals and other healthcare facilities. 
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Sec. 6. Traffic Rules and Regulations. - All users of non-motorized vehicles and electric 
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personal mobility devices shall, as far as applicable, obey traffic signals, signs and 
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markers, road pavement markings, right-of-way, and other traffic rules and regulations. 
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The LGUs, in consultation with the DOT and other appropriate agencies, shall 
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issue guidelines for the safe use of bicycle lanes and the use of non-motorized vehicles 
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and electric personal mobility devices. 
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Sec. 7. Bicycle Racks and Other End-of-Trip Facilities. - All public places, goverment offices, 
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schools, places of work, mass transit and public utility vehicle terminals, and commercial 
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establishments, including but not limited to malls, banks, and hospitals, shall provide, as 
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far as practicable, secure bicycle or multi-use racks and other end-of-trip facilities, as 
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needed. 
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Sec. 8. Role of Public and Private Sectors. - Both the public and private sectors shall promote 
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active transport as a sustainable and halthy means of transportation and develop the Safe 
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Pathways Network as provided under Section 4 of this Act, by putting up the necessary 
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infrastructure facilities and programs. Further, the said sectors shall also provide, as far 
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as practicable, additional support, benefits, subsidies, and training that will promote 
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active transport. 
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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 and Education Campaign. - The DOTr, in coordination with other 
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government agencies and the private sector, shall establish an information and education 
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campaign on the importance of a shift to a sustainable and healthy mode of 
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transportation, and the establishment and use of the Safe Pathways Network. The 
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campaign hall be designed for all present and potential active transport users, traffic 
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enforcers, motorists, non-motorized vehicle and electric personal mobility device users, 
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the commuting public, and the community in general. 
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Sec. 10. Design and Construction of Permanent Bicycle Lanes and Walkways. – Permanent 
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bicycle lanes and walkways shall be designated or constructed with safety as the 
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paramount concern. As much as practicable, permanent bicycle lanes and walkways shall 
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be physically separated from the main road through physical barriers, or shall be elevated 
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or otherwise constructed separately from the main road. 
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In areas where the physical separation of bicycle lanes and walkways is not possible, the 
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roads shall be adapted, as far as practicable, for shared use with active transport users. 
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Painted road markers may also be used for roads with limited space. 
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The DPWH, in coordination with the DOTr and LGUs, shall revise its manuals and 
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guidelines for road design and construction to include non-motorized vehicles and 
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electric personal mobility devices in the allocation of road space on national and local 
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roads, and to promote the safety of active transport and electric personal mobility device 
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users. 
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Sec. 11. Reportorial Requirement. - The DOT shall submit an annual report to 
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Congress on the establishment and use of the Safe Pathways Network for purposes of 
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policy formulation and determining funding requirements. The report shall include 
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relevant data such as the number of users of active transport and electric personal 
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mobility devices, and mapping of the Safe Pathways Network in the country. 
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To this end, LGUs shall submit to the DOT the relevant information needed to 
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formulate the report. 
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Sec. 12. Sources of Funding. - The funds necessary for the implementation of this Act shall 
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be sourced from the amounts set aside by LGUs for infrastructure projects within their 
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jurisdiction, as well as from the appropriations of the DOT and DPWH under the General 
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Appropriations Act, and the Special Road Fund from the Motor Vehicle User's Charge as 
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provided under Republic Act No. 8794, as amended. 
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Sec. 13. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or 
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otherwise invalid, the validity of the other provisions shall not be affected thereby. 
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Sec. 14. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, other 
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issuances, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed 
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or modified accordingly. 
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Sec. 15. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the 
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Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
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Approved. 
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