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First Regular Session /NDEX

HOUSE BILL NO. 2520

Introduced by Hon. Jericho Jonas B. Nograles

EXPLANATORY NOTE

It is the policy of the state to protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill
health consciousness. It is also the duty of the state to protect the environment for a balanced and
healthful ecology.

Bicycle riding not only promotes health and leisure but will also provide an alternative
solution to the high prices of fuel, increasing fares, traffic, noise and air pollution, and the high cost
of vehicles. Biking is an altemative way of physical exercise that has long been promoted not only
in the Philippines, but globally.

Under this Bill, all main roads and highways shall be provided with bicycle lanes or
bikeways identified by the Local Bikeways Office (LBO). The LBO is the agency which will be in
charge of implementing the policies, rules and regulations pertinent to the Bicycle Act including the
registration of bicycles using the bikeways. This agency will be under the supervision of the City or
Municipal Engineering Office.

This bill seeks to provide a framework for a bicycle law on a national level so that
commuters may find a cheaper alternative to get to their destination while saving the environment
from harmful emissions.

The passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

HON. [CHO JON: NOGRALES


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 2520

Introduced by Hon. Jericho Jonas B. Nograles

AN ACT
FOR THE CREATION OF LOCAL BIKEWAYS OFFICE (LBO), ESTABLISHING
INFRASTRUCTURE IN RELATION THERETO AND PROVIDING FOR BICYCLE
RIGHTS 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 “Bicycle Act of 2019”.

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
protect and promote the right to health of the people, instill health consciousness among
them and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with
the rhythm and harmony of nature. The State recognizes the need for cheap and alternative
means of transportation and encourages friendly modes of transportation.

Section 3. Definition of Terms. - For the purposes of this Act, the following terms are
defined, thus:

a.) Bicycle — a vehicle composed of two wheels held in a frame one behind the other,
propelled by pedals and steered with handlebars attached to the front wheel and
having a seat height of 21 inches or greater when the seat is in the lowest possible
position.

b.) Local Bikeways Office (LBO) — refers to the agency in charge of implementing
policies, rules and regulations in accordance with this Act.

c.) Bicycle Rider — a person who rides or travels by bicycle.

d.) Bicycle Lane — any longitudinal strips designated for the passage of a bicyle.

c.) Department — shall refer to the Department of Public Works and Highways
(DPWH).

Section 4. Creation of Bikeways. — All main roads and highways shall be provided
with Bicycle lanes or Bikeways identified by the Local Bikeways Office under the
supervision of the City or Municipal Engineers Office and in coordination with the Land
Transportation Office (LTO) and the Department of Public Works and Highways.


Section 5. Powers and functions of the Local Bikeways Office.

a.) Prepare plans, specifications, manage the construction and maintenance of
bikeways on all thoroughfares and roads.

b.) Responsible for development, management and implementation of the project
with the coordination of the DPWH, LTO and other government agencies
concerned.

c.) Establish provision of safe and strategic parking facilities for bicycles and road
signages.

d.) Conduct education and information drives for the benefits of using the bicycles in
coordination with the LTO in order to promote the usage of the same.

.) Maintain and keep a bicycle registry where the LBO, within sixty (60) days from
approval of this Act, shall formulate a system of procedure pertinent to bicycle
registration.

f.) Encourage partnership with local and foreign organizations to facilitate easy
access to bicycles.

Section 6. Bicycle Park. — Each city or municipality shall create through the LBO
and the City or Municipal Engineers Office, a bicycle park where provisions for bicycles are
present such as but not limited to bikeways, bicycle parking areas and similar infrastructure.
Such bicycle parks shall be funded by the City or Municipal government by allocating thirty
(30) percent of their respective revenues raised from the miscellaneous activities like
parking and license fees.

Section 7. Rights, Duties and Obligations of Cyclists. - The following shall be the
rights, duties and obligations of cyclists:

a.) Ride on any public road or street provided that it has been designated as a bikeway
except on highways or where signs prohibiting bikes have been posted.

b.) Persons riding a bicycle on designated bikeways shall be granted all the rights and
shall be subject to all duties applicable to drivers of motorized vehicles except those
which by nature are inapplicable.

c.) All bicycle riders must wear all safety gear when riding.

d.) Cyclist, when riding at night, shall equip their bicycle with reflective materials
visible from both sides, a white front headlight and a red reflective light at the rear.

e.) A cyclist shall not carry anything on the bicycle unless it is in a basket, bag, rack or
trailer designed for that purpose.

Section 8. Restrictions. — The following are restrictions imposed upon cyclists and the
right to use a bike:


a.) No person shall carry more persons than it was designed to carry except when
another regular seat or trailer towed by the bicycle is present.

b.) Person riding a bicycle shall not cling to another vehicle while in the designated
bikeways.

c.) Bicycles may not be parked in areas other than those specifically designated as such
by the LBO.

.) A cyclist shall not ride a bicycle on a sidewalk or crosswalk.

e.) No person shall operate a bicycle at a speed greater than what is reasonable and
allowed.

Section 9. Obedience to traffic laws and devices. — Any person operating a bicycle shall
obey all official traffic control signs and other control devices applicable to vehicles, unless
otherwise directed by a police officer. Whenever authorized signs are posted, a person
operating a bicycle shall disobey the direction of such sign except when that person
dismounts from the bicycle, in which case such person shall then obey the regulations
applicable to pedestrians. No person shall ride or operate a bicycle in any direction except
permitted for vehicular traffic travelling on the same side of the bikeway.

Section 10. Flagging by a Police Officer. — A uniformed police officer or any deputized
traffic officer may stop, inspect, and test drive a bicycle that is suspected to be unsafe or to
have improper equipment. He may also stop any cyclist operating a bicycle in such a
manner as to pose danger to others.

Section 11. Riding on Bicycle Lanes. ~ Every person operating a bicycle upon a
designated bikeway shall remain inside such lane, exercising due care when passing a
standing vehicle or a vehicle proceeding in the same direction. When a person operating a
bicycle upon a bikeway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic, such person may
move out of the lane under any of the following circumstances:

a.) Whenever overtaking or passing another bicycle, vehicle or pedestrian within the
lane or about to enter the lane if such overtaking or passing cannot be done safely
within the lane;

b.) When preparing for a turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway;

c.) When reasonably necessary to leave the bicycle lane to avoid debris or hazardous
conditions.

Section 12. Motor Vehicles in Bikeways. - Whenever a bikeway has been established on
a road, any person operating a motor vehicle on such road shall not drive in the bikeway
except to park when parking is permitted, to enter or leave the road or prepare for a turn.

Section 13. Exercise of Due Care. ~ Every cyclist shall exercise due care to avoid
colliding with any pedestrian, or any person operating a bicycle or other device propelled by
human or animal power, upon any road and shall give warning by sounding the hom when
necessary and shall exercise proper precautions upon observing any child or any
incapacitated person on the road.

Section 14. Penalties. - Any person who violates any provision of this Act shall be
subject to the penalty of a fine not less than Five Thousand Pesos (P 5,000.00) but not more


than Ten Thousand Pesos (P 10,000.00). If such violation causes damage or injury to person
or property, then the appropriate provisions of the Civil Code and the revised Penal Code
shall take effect.

Section 15. 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.

Section 16. Repealing Clause — Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rules and regulations contrary to or is
inconsistent with in the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended
accordingly.

Section 17. Effectivity Clause — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,