CYCLISTS in Davao City are now assured of their own safe space while on the road as Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Art Tugade opened the 54.744 kilometer bike lane network in the city on Tuesday, July 20,2021.

“These are dedicated and protected bicycle lanes. Ang ibig sabihin nito, ang mga siklista, hindi na kailangang makipagbunuan sa kalsada. You don’t have to ply the roads in fear na baka kayo ay ma-aksidente o masagi ng sasakyan o motor na nakakasabay sa daan. Wala nang paki-usapan sa ibang motorista—mapa-sasakyan man ‘yan o motorsiklo—na “Please, please, please share the road,” he said during the virtual ceremony.

“These well-designed dedicated bike lanes are for you, our dear cyclists.

Ngayong narito na ang pasilidad, ako po ay nakikiusap sa ating mga kababayan—mapa-cyclist, motorista, o pedestrian ka man– gamitin natin ito nang tama. Pairalin natin ang respeto at kortisiya sa kalsada, para ‘everybody safe, everybody happy’,” he added.

The Davao City bike lane project completes the 497 kilometer bike lane network in Davao City, Metro Manila and Metro Cebu to promote active transport as a sustainable and efficient mode of transportation.

The bike lane network project was officially completed on June 30, 2021, and spans across 14 road sections within Davao City to include Quimpo Boulevard, Sandawa Road, Roxas Avenue, Quezon Avenue, Quirino Avenue, E. Jacinto Extension, Dr. A. Gahol Street, Mabini Street, F. Torres Street, Loyola Street, Porras Street, Inigo Street, and Decasio Street.

To ensure the safety of bikers, the bicycle lanes have white and green pavement markings, signages, bollards, bike symbols, solar studs, and concrete delineators. Bike racks are also provided to help bikers secure their bikes.

The Metro Davao bike lane project was funded by the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act of 2020 (Republic Act No. 11494), with a total allocation of P145.371 million.

Sec. Tugade stressed on the DOTr’s continued promotion of cycling and other forms of active transport which are considered as sustainable modes of transport widely used in the most progressive cities in the world.

The completion of the bicycle lane project also fulfills the goals of sustainability and renewability of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio as she expressed her gratitude to the DOTr and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for including her city in the country’s bike lane project.

“By providing Davaoeños with bicycle lanes, they are able to safely maximize usage of their bicycles whether as a mode of transportation for work or business or as a means for exercise and leisure activities. Biking is a key mechanism in the fulfillment of the city’s sustainability and renewability goals,” Duterte-Carpio said.

DPWH Secretary Mark Villar for his part expressed optimism that the protected bike lanes will not only “provide safety and convenience for road users but also encourage the use of bicycles as a healthier and a more environment-friendly alternative.”

Meanwhile, DOTr Assistant Secretary Steve Pastor said the bike lane project will help hasten economic recovery by championing road safety and the importance of road sharing with the establishment of bike facilities.