Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City a)
E_ DATESeptember 10, 202549)
20th CONGRESS * TIME *
First Regular Session By___Jonah
S
HOUSE BILL NO. _ 4492 Wo nek

Introduced by REP. JUAN CARLOS “ARJO” C. ATAYDE

AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING ACTIVE TRANSPORT BY ESTABLISHING A SAFE
PATHWAYS NETWORK OF BICYCLE LANES, WALKWAYS AND SLOW
STREETS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

On 1 February 2021, the Senate passed on third reading the Walkable and Bikeable
Communities Act introduced and sponsored by Senator Pia Cayetano, chairperson of
the Committee on Sustainable Development Goals, Innovation and Futures Thinking.

The measure seeks to provide a network of safe pathways for those who prefer
to walk, bike, or use other non-motorized vehicles to their regular destinations. Similar
bills were filed in the House of Representatives in the 18th Congress and referred to
the Committee on Transportation.

As an advocate of shifting towards active and sustainable transportation, this
representation seeks to file a similar measure in order to encourage our people to
embrace active transport. This can be made possible in cooperation with local
government units that will provide networks of bike lanes, slow streets, and
walkways to guarantee convenience and safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and users of

other personal mobility devices.

Since this measure furthers our Sustainable Development Goals on Good Health
and Well Being (SDG 3), Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7), Industry, Innovation and


Infrastructure (SDG 9), Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), Climate Action (DG
413), and Partnership for Goals (SGD 17), the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

REP. JUAN CAI 1S “ARJO” ATAYDE


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

20th CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _4492
eT

Introduced by REP. JUAN CARLOS “ARJO” C. ATAYDE
a

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:

1 SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Walkable and Bikeable

2 Communities Act”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The Constitution mandates the State to protect

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4 and advance the right of the Filipino people to a balanced and healthful ecology in
5 accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature and to protect and promote the right
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to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them.

7 The State affirms the need for infrastructure and a change in mindset to
8 — encourage and accommodate sustainable and healthy modes of active transport such
9 as walking, biking, and the use of other non-motorized vehicles and to provide safe

10 and convenient pathways for commuters. It further acknowledges the need to provide

11 quick solutions to long-standing mobility issues, including possible health hazards in

12 overcrowded public transportation vehicles and the heavy traffic caused by high

13 volume of cars in the roads.


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Prioritizing active transport will result in reduced carbon emissions, reduced
road congestion, less use of energy and resources, as well as less dependence on oil,
lightening the impact of oil price shocks. It will also provide multiple health benefits

and enhance the quality of life.

Through this measure, State affirms its 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 Gustainable Cities and Communities); SDG 13 (Climate Action); and SDG 17
(Partnerships for the Goals).

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. ~ For purposes of this Act, these terms are defined

as follows:

a. Active transport refers to physical activity undertaken as a means of transport,
such as walking or cycling and the use of other non-motorized vehicles;

b. Electric personal mobility devices refer to any electric-motorized device
exclusively used for transporting an individual. This includes electric bicycles
and electric kick scooters, excluding motorcycles, tricycles, and other similar

modes of transport;

c. End-of-trip facilities refer to facilities that cater to active transport users’ needs at
their destinations, which may include shower and changing rooms, short- and

long-term bicycle parking, bicycle repair stations, and lockers, among others;

d. Non-motorized vehicles refer to all forms of transportation that do not rely on an
engine or motor for movement, including, but not limited to, bicycles and small

wheeled non-motorized transport, such as skateboards, push scooters, and
handcarts; and

e. Slow streets refer to local roads providing safe and convenient access and use
by restricting motor vehicle access, use, or speed limits on certain days or hours

in 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

pedestrians, cyclists, and other non-motorized vehicle users.

SEC. 4, Safe Pathways Network. - Within twelve (12) months from the effectivity
of this Act, the Safe Pathways Network shall be established for the use of active
transport: Provided, That the use of electric personal mobility devices may be allowed
subject to the guidelines set by the LGUs, in consultation with the Department of
Transportation (DOT?).

The Safe Pathways Network shall consist of the following:

a. Bicycle lanes. LGUs, in consultation with the DOTr and the Department of
Public Works and Highways (DPWH), shall identify and create a network of
bicycle lanes, which may be temporary or permanent in nature. The temporary
lanes alternatively known as pop-up lanes shall be set up, whenever necessary,
including during emergency situations: Provided, That along national roads in
Metro Manila, the DOTr, in coordination with the DPWH and the Metro Manila
Development Authority (MMDA), shall be the lead implementing agency.

Pop-up bicycle 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.

The bicycle lanes shall, as much as practicable, directly connect users to
essential destinations, such as medical facilities, public and private facilities
frequented by people, schools, and other similar places that may be identified.
Motorcycles, tricycles, and other similar modes of transport, whether powered
by fossil fuel or electricity, are prohibited from using the bicycle lanes unless
otherwise designed for sharing with such modes of transport; and

b. Walkways. Walkways shall be designated or constructed for the use of
pedestrians, including the use of strollers and other children’s mobility
equipment. Walkways may also be shared with non-motorized vehicles and
electric personal mobility devices, subject 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, LGUs shall create a
designated network of people-oriented slow streets, which may be temporary
or permanent, that will provide safe and convenient access and use of specific
local roads. Speed limits, access on certain days or hours in the day by
motorized vehicles in slow streets, or any combination of such measures shall
be determined by the concerned LGU. Motor vehicles of residents, delivery and
trash collection vehicles servicing the area of the slow streets, and emergency
services shall have access to slow streets subject to restrictions to be imposed
by the LGU.

Slow streets shall be clearly marked with signage specifying the
restrictions, LGUs shall identify priority areas for implementation within their
jurisdiction. The DOTr and DPWH may provide assistance in the identification
of slow streets.

SEC. 5. Institutional Facilities Patlnoays Priority. - LGUs shall coordinate with
public and private institutions within their jurisdiction frequented by the public, such
as but not limited to healthcare facilities and institutions, schools, churches, and
government offices, to establish bicycle lanes, walkways and slow streets that can
connect and provide safe access for the employees, customers and clients of such
institutions as well as the general public, and to encourage the establishment of end-
of-trip facilities within such institutions.

Special attention shall be given towards the safety of healthcare workers and

patients who use active transport to hospitals and other healthcare facilities.

SEC. 6. Traffic Rules and Regulations. - All users of non-motorized vehicles and
electric personal mobility devices shall, as far as applicable, obey traffic signals, signs

and markers, road pavement markings, right-of-way, and other traffic rules and
regulations,

The LGUs, in consultation with the DOTr and other appropriate agencies, shall
issue guidelines for the safe use of bicycle lanes and the use of non-motorized vehicles
and electric personal mobility devices.


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SEC. 7. Bicycle Racks and Other End-of-Trip Facilities. - Al public places,
government offices, schools, places of work, mass transit and public utility vehicle
terminals, and commercial establishments, including but not limited to malls, banks,
and hospitals, shall provide, as far as practicable, secure bicycle or multi-use racks and
other end-of-trip facilities, as needed.

SEC. 8, Role of Public and Private Sectors. ~ Both the public and private sectors
shall promote active transport as a sustainable and healthy means of transportation
and develop the Safe Pathways Network as provided under Section 4 of this Act, by
putting up the necessary infrastructure facilities and programs. Further, the said
sectors shall also provide, as far as practicable, additional support, benefits, subsidies,

and training that will promote active transport.

LGUs shall incorporate the creation of the Safe Pathways Network and their

corresponding infrastructure in their local development plans.

SEC. 9. Information and Education Campaign. - The DOTr, in coordination with
other government agencies and the private sector, shall establish an information and
education campaign on the importance of a shift to a sustainable and healthy mode of
transportation, and the establishment and use of the Safe Pathways Network. The
campaign shall be designed for all present and potential active transport users, traffic
enforcers, motorists, non-motorized vehicle and electric personal mobility device

users, the commuting public, and the community in general.

SEC. 10. Design and Construction of Permanent Bicycle Lanes and Walkways. ~
Permanent bicycle lanes and walkways shall be designated or constructed with safety
as the paramount concern, As much as practicable, permanent bicycle lanes and
walkways shall be physically separated from the main road through physical barriers
or shall be elevated or otherwise constructed separately from the main road.

In areas where the physical separation of bicycle lanes and walkways is not
possible, the roads shall be adapted, as far as practicable, for shared use with active

transport users. 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 guidelines for road design and construction to include non-motorized vehicles
and electric personal mobility devices in the allocation of road space on national and
local roads, and to promote the safety of active transport and electric personal mobility

device users.

SEC. 11. Reportorial Requirement. - The DOTr shall submit an annual report to
Congress on the establishment and use of the Safe Pathways Network for purposes of
policy formulation and determining funding requirements. The report shall include
relevant data such as the number of users of active transport and electric personal

mobility devices, and mapping of the Safe Pathways Network in the country.

To this end, LGUs shall submit to the DOTr the relevant information needed to

formulate the report.

SEC. 12. Sources of Funding. - The funds necessary for the implementation of
this Act shall be sourced from the amounts set aside by LGUs for infrastructure
projects within their jurisdiction, as well as from the appropriations of the DOTr and
DPWH under the General Appropriations Act, and the Special Road Fund from the
Motor Vehicle User’s Charge as provided under Republic Act No. 8794, as amended.

SEC. 13. Separability Clause, - Should any part of this Act be declared
unconstitutional, the rest of the provisions of this Act not affected shall continue to be
in effect and subsisting.

SEC. 14. Repealing Clause. - The provisions of other laws, decrees, executive
orders, rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended
or modified accordingly.

SEC. 15. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,