Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasan Hills, Quezon City

Nineteenth Congress
Third Regular Session

House Bill No. 11292

Introduced by Akbayan Representative Percival Cendafia

AN ACT PROMOTING ACTIVE MOBILITY BY ESTABLISHING AND
INTEGRATING A SAFE PATHWAYS NETWORK OF BICYCLE LANES,
CARFREE DAYS, WALKWAYS AND SLOW STREETS, AND PROVIDING FUNDS.
THEREOF

Prefatory Statement

Due to traffic congestion, air pollution, and vehicular accidents, roads in highly urbanized cities
in the Philippines have become generally hazardous to vulnerable road users, the environment,
and health of commuters.

Our transport system needs to be inclusive so that all modes are integrated into a safe, efficient
and sustainable system. The government must invest in more and wider footpaths, safe
pedestrian crossings, protected cycle lanes and shoulders on rural roads. Moreover, sensible
speeds must be in place to make our roads safer for people walking, cycling, or using mobility
aids. Car free days should also be declared in limited areas for a limited time to promote healthy
lifestyle and community activities. Furthermore, infrastructure for active mobility must be
integrated to improved public transportation.

Active mobility involves infrastructure and mindset change. It requires investment from
national government agencies and local government units so that highly urbanized cities in the
Philippines can encourage and accommodate sustainable and healthy modes of active transport
such as walking, biking, and the use of other non-motorized vehicles.

Establishing and integrating active mobility with public transportation 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 of Filipino commuters.

The passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

AKBAYAN PARTYLIST



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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasan Hills, Quezon City

Nineteenth Congress
Third Regular Session

House Bill No.l 1292

Introduced by Akbayan Representative Percival Cendafia

AN ACT PROMOTING ACTIVE MOBILITY BY ESTABLISHING AND
INTEGRATING A SAFE PATHWAYS NETWORK OF BICYCLE LANES,
CARFREE DAYS, WALKWAYS AND SLOW STREETS, AND PROVIDING FUNDS.
THEREOF

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 “Active Mobility 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, to protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health
consciousness among them.

The State also affirms the need for infrastructure and a change in mindset to encourage and
accommodate sustainable and healthy modes of active transport such as walking, biking, and
the use of other non-motorized vehicles and to provide safe and convenient pathways for
commuters. It further acknowledges the need to integrate active transport infrastructures to
improved public transportation.

Establishing and integrating active transport with public transportation 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.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. — For purposes of this Act, these terms are defined as follows:

(a) Active mobility 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;



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(©) 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;

(@) 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

(©) 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 concemed 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.

(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.

(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 concemed 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.


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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 Pathways 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.

SEC. 7. Bicycle Racks and other End-of-Trip Facilities. — All 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. Public Transportation Integration. — The routes with Safe Pathways Network shall
be integrated with the public transportation system including but not limited to the Metro Rail
Transit, Light Rail Transit, trains, ferry, buses, and other public utility vehicles.

SEC. 9. Car free Days. - The LGUs of highly urbanized cities shall designate at least one
major road under its jurisdiction as “car free” for designated hours at least once a week. Motor
vehicles shall be prohibited from accessing the designated road on the specified day in order to
promote active mobility such as walking and cycling.

SEC. 10. 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. 11. 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

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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. 12. 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.

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. 13. 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. 14. 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. 15. 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. 16. Repealing Clause. — All other laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, other
issuances, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

SEC. 17. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette ot in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,