The Quezon City government has apprehended 616 motorists or drivers of automobiles who have overtaken and/or were illegally parked in road lanes intended for bicycles in the first two months of 2021.
According to the Bike Lane Apprehension Report submitted to Mayor Joy Belmonte, 524 violators were caught and fined from Jan. 1 to Jan. 31, while 94 violators were apprehended from Feb. 1 to Feb. 6.
“Gusto nating igiit sa publiko na ang bike lanes ay para sa mga bike lang. Kung kayo ay naka-motor o gumagamit ng sasakyan, hindi kayo pwede sa loob ng bike lane,” Belmonte said.
“Bike lanes are designed to put the safety of cyclists first. If you run over or obstruct their lane then that puts them in danger and defeats the very purpose of our bike lane,” she added.
Meanwhile, Quezon City Councilor Winston Castelo is city residents and other travelers to enjoy passing through Skyway-3 while there is no toll for its use.
“Skyway-3 is a big relief for travelers from Quezon City and other areas in the north who are going to Makati and other destinations in the south,” he said.
Skyway-3 is an 18-kilometer elevated toll road linking North Luzon Expressway, South Luzon Expressway and Ninoy Aquino International Airport Expressway.
Retired police general Elmo San Diego, Department of Public Order and Safety chief, said the rigorous apprehension is a joint enforcement effort of the DPOS-Green Transport Office and Task Force for Traffic and Transport Management.
“We have to make sure that the safety of all road users, including bicycle riders, are observed at all times,” said San Diego.
Ordinance SP-2988 imposes penalties for motorists using or obstructing cycling lanes in Quezon City.
The said fines are P1,000, P3,000 and P5,000 for the first, second and third offense, respectively.
Use of for hire pedicabs in cycling lanes is also prohibited with a fine of P300 or a day of community service for first offense, and P300 or a day of community service and attendance to a half-day seminar on safe cycling for second and succeeding offenses.