DOTr eyes to finish 500-km bike lanes in NCR, Cebu, Davao by June

The Taguig City local government set up bike lanes along Cayetano Boulevard, Bayani Road and C6 Road, to emphasize the role of biking as an essential mode of transportation for both residents and workers, June 5, 2020. INQUIRER file photo / Niño Jesus Orbeta

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is eyeing to finish the proposed 522.73-kilometer (km) bike lane network in Metro Manila, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao by June this year.

During the hearing of the House committee on transportation, DOTr Assistant Secretary Steve Pastor said the bike lanes in Metro Cebu and Davao are targeted to be finished by June 15, while the bike lanes in Metro Manila are expected for completion by June 30.

In its report, the DOTr said that in Metro Manila, 270.23 kilometers of the 338.53-kilometer bike lane in the nation’s capital region has already been completed.

Meanwhile, 105.09 kilometers and 46.13 kilometers of the bike lanes in Metro Cebu and Metro Davao, respectively, have also been completed.

This means 427.44 kilometers of the 522-kilometer bike lanes in the three regions have already been built.

The DOTr earlier secured the P1.3-billion funding for the installation of a bike lane network in Metro Manila, Cebu and Davao as part of its pandemic recovery plan.

The budget came from the P9.5-billion funding allotted by Congress to the DOTr under the Bayanihan to Recover As One Act.

When pandemic affected regular bus and jeepney routes, more commuters prefer using bikes and scooters as an alternative mode of transportation to get to their work places.

JPV