NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE
S. B. NO. 1138
i^fficp o( ll)C 'utvirp
*22 AUG 11 P5:16
RECEIVED BV.
Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A NETWORK OF EMERGENCY LANES AND 
EMERGENCY PATHWAYS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
On March 7, 2020, the first local transmission of the COVID-19 was 
confirmed by the DOH, triggering the declaration of a state of public health 
emergency on March 8, 2020, through Proclamation No. 922, and the 
imposition of the “community quarantine” on March 12, 2020, to prevent the 
further spread of the virus. On March 16, 2020, the “enhanced community 
quarantine” was implemented in the entire Luzon area, wherein all persons are 
required to remain at home, all modes of transportation had been suspended, 
provision of essential goods and services are regulated, and uniformed 
personnel strictly enforced quarantine procedures.1
In view of the lack of public transportation, commuters, including frontline 
medical workers, had to resort to using other modes, including bikes. Because 
of this, several efforts had been initiated to provide bicycles to frontliners, 
including the Lend-a-Bike Project led by cycling enthusiasts2 and free rides,3 
among others.
1 March 12, 2021, Timeline: One year of Covid-19 in the Philippines, Philippine Daily Inquirer. Accessible 
at httpsi/Znewsinfo.inauirer.net/1406004/timeline-one-vear-of-covid-19-in-the-DhiliDDines {last accessed 
August 11,2022).
2 March 24, 2020. Bikers lead initiative to lend bikes for frontliners in COVID-19 crisis. CNN. Accessible
at 
https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/3/24/bikers-lead-initiative-bikes-frontliners-
coronavirus.html {last accessed August 11, 2022).
3 August 7, 2020. 1,000 Angkas drivers to provide free rides for health frontliners in Metro Manila. Inquirer. 
Accessible at https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1318150/1000-anqkas-drivers-to-provide-free-rides-for-health- 
frontliners-in-metro-manila {last accessed August 11, 2022).


Meanwhile, based on a face-to-face survey conducted by the Social 
Weather Stations in November 2020 and May 2021, the estimated number of 
households that owned bikes grew from 2 million to 4.9 million.4 In the same 
survey, it is reported that around 4.7 million Filipinos use bikes for essential 
activities, including market/grocery/store runs (3.1 million), going to and from 
work (1.4 million), and bikes for work-related or livelihood activities (1.1 
million).5 Filipinos also use bikes for recreational activities, with an estimated 
2.3 million using bikes for exercising, sightseeing, or playing.6
During the pandemic, almost 500 kilometers of bike lanes along national 
roads were put up to promote cycling as a mode of transport.7 To further 
encourage and promote cycling as a mode of transportation and to ensure the 
safety of bikers given the growing number of users, the government should 
invest in proper and adequate cycling infrastructure.
Thus, this bill provides for the following:
a) 
The establishment of a Safe Pathways Network, or a network of bike 
lanes, spearheaded by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the 
Department of Public Works and Flighways (DPWFI), which shall be 
properly marked with road signs, mobile signs, or physical barriers:
b) 
Placement of restrictions for motorized vehicle passage on pathways 
during peak hours of travel;
c) 
Requiring public places and major establishments to have, as far as 
practicable, parking spaces for bicycles, non-motorized vehicles, electric 
scooters, electric bikes, and other similar modes of transportation; and
d) 
Integration of driver education, as appropriate, in the respective curricula 
of the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Fligher 
Education (CFIED), and the Technical Education and Skills Development 
Authority (TESDA), to ensure basic knowledge on traffic laws, rules, and 
regulations for all motorists, pedestrians, and ordinary citizens;
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly
sought.
SENATOR J0£L VILLANUEVA
4 Social Weather Stations, Bicycle Usage among Filipino Households during the Covid-19 Pandemic, accessible at 
http://www.sws.orq.ph/downloads/publications/pr20211126%20-%20WAPOR%20Asia%202021 -
Bicvcle%20Usaae%20Amona%20Filipino%20Households%20Durina%20the%20Covid-19%20Pandemic-
Christian%20Michael%20Entoma.pdf (last accessed August 11, 2022).
5 Id.
6 Id.
1 January 19, 2022. From Crises to opportunity: How the Philippines built 500km of bike lanes in less than a year. 
World Bank. Accessible at https://bloqs.worldbank.ora/transport/crisis-opportunitv-how-philippines-built-500km-bike- 
lanes-less-
vear#:~:text=Within%209%20months%2C%20the%20Philippines,and%20sustainabie%20form%20of%20transport
(last accessed August 11, 2022).


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
of tl;p
11 AUG 11 P5:l6
SENATE
S.B. No. 1138
RHCEIVlOBV:__^2.
Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A NETWORK OF EMERGENCY LANES AND 
EMERGENCY PATHWAYS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR,
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. - 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. It also declares the State policy to 
protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness 
among them.
Toward this end, the State recognizes that engine-powered vehicles contribute 
to air pollution. At the same time, the State recognizes that the current state of 
infrastructure in the country does not adequately promote and incentivize the use of 
alternative modes of transportation, such as walking, bicycles, and other non- 
motorized vehicles, and to provide safe and convenient pathways for commuters, 
especially health workers and other frontlines, pedestrians and non-motorized travel. 
While these alternative modes of transportation have lesser carbon emissions, use 
less energy and resources, and provide multiple health benefits and increase quality 
of life, they have not been aggressively promoted in the country.
Thus, the State hereby adopts the policy of promoting and incentivizing the use 
of alternative modes of transportation, not only to protect the environment, but also to 
promote the health, safety and well-being of all.
SEC. 3. Safe Pathways Network. - Upon the effectivity of this Act, the 
Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Department of Public Works and
I


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
Highways (DPWH), in coordination with Department of Interior and Local Government 
(DILG) and Local Government Units (LGUs), shall identify and create a network of 
bicycle lanes, hereinafter, Safe Pathways Network, which shall be used strictly for 
bicycles and other non-motorized vehicles. For the purposes of this Act, “non- 
motorized vehicles” include all forms of travel that do not rely on an engine or motor 
for movement. This includes, but is not limited to, walking, bicycles, and small­
wheeled non-motorized transport (skates, skateboards, push scooters and hand 
carts).
The bicycle lanes shall, as far as practicable, directly connect users to 
essential destinations, such as medical facilities, public and private facilities 
frequented by people, schools and other institutions of learning, and other similar 
places. The lanes must be marked appropriately with road signs, mobile signs, or 
physical barriers and the like. In all cases, lane markings for vehicles shall be 
appropriately adjusted and/or marked to avoid confusion among motorists.
Electric scooters, electric bicycles, and other similar modes of transport may 
be allowed subject to the guidelines set by the DOTr and other appropriate agencies.
To complement the network of bicycle lanes, LGUs shall also create a 
designated network of people-oriented pathways along local roads that will provide 
pedestrians, bicycles and non-motorized vehicle users safe and convenient access 
to frequented destinations by restricting motorized vehicle passage in these pathways 
during peak hours. These pathways shall be clearly marked with signage containing 
restrictions. The DOTr and DPWH shall identify priority areas for implementation.
In all cases, the DPWH and LGUs shall ensure that sidewalks and non- 
motorized transport lanes are appropriately integrated in the design and construction 
of road networks. For this purpose, the DPWH shall make appropriate revisions in its 
manuals and guidelines for road design and construction to include non-motorized 
vehicles in the allocation of road space on national and local roads, and to promote 
the safety of pedestrians and non-motorized vehicle users.
The LGUs shall coordinate with the DPWH and other appropriate agencies 
and issue the necessary measures for the adoption and implementation of the Safe 
Pathways Network pursuant to this Act. The LGUs shall also regularly clear all local 
roads and sidewalks of obstructions, and make the necessary improvements on 
existing infrastructures.
SEC. 4. Obedience to Traffic Laws, Rules and Regulations; Driver and 
Pedestrian Education. - All non-motorized vehicle users, including users of electric 
scooters, electric bicycles, and other similar modes of transport as allowed by the 
DOTr and other appropriate agencies, shall obey existing traffic laws, rules and 
regulations, and shall be subject to existing penalties for violations.
For this purpose, the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on 
Higher Education (CHED) and the Technical Education and Skills Development 
Authority (TESDA) shall integrate in the curriculum driver education, as appropriate, 
to ensure that motorists, pedestrians and ordinary citizens have basic knowledge on 
traffic laws, rules and regulations.


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
SEC. 5. Non-Motorized Vehicle Parking Spaces. - All public places, 
government offices, schools, places of work and major establishments, including 
malls, banks, hospitals, and the like, shall provide, as far as practicable, adequate 
parking spaces for bicycles, other non-motorized vehicles, electric scooters, electric 
bicycles, and other similar modes of transport as allowed by the DOTr and other 
appropriate agencies.
SEC. 6. 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 for its implementation, including showers, 
changing areas, and hydration facilities, and shall ensure that the necessary health 
and other protocols during travel are followed.
SEC. 7. Appropriations. - The funds necessary for the initial implementation 
of this Act shall be charged against the current appropriations of the DOTr and 
DPWH. Thereafter, such funds as necessary for the effective implementation of this 
Act shall be included in the budgets of DOTr, DPWH and other appropriate agencies 
under the annual General Appropriation Act.
SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within thirty (30) days from 
the effectivity of this Act, the DOTr, in coordination with the DPWH, DILG, and other 
appropriate agencies and relevant stakeholders, shall issue the rules and regulations 
for the effective implementation of this 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 laws, orders, issuances, rules and 
regulations or part thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
SEC. 11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation.
Approved,