The Department of Transportation on Tuesday inaugurated a bike lane network in Metro Manila to promote bicycle as an additional mode of transportation amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said the 313-kilometer Metro Manila Bike Lane Network is a part of the 497-kilometer nationwide bike lane network, which also includes Metro Cebu and Metro Davao.
"The establishment of bike lanes is part of the efforts of the DOTR in promoting active transportation as an additional mode of transportation amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and ensuring the safety of pedestrians and cyclists," Tugade said.
Metro Manila Bike Lanes use concrete delineators or flexible rubber bollards. They are made up of white and green pavement markings using thermoplastic paint, bollards bolted to the ground, bike symbols and signages solar-powered road studs and bike racks.
The DOTR said it spent P801,830,479.93 for the pavement markings, physical separators and road signages of the bike lane in Metro Manila.
The Metro Manila Bike Lane was funded by the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act of 2020 or the Republic Act No. 11494. Under the law, the promotion of active transportation was strengthened by the declaration of the bicycle as an additional mode of transportation and the provision of funding to support the establishment of bike lane networks.
The DOTR and the Department of Public Works and Highways, together with the Department of Health and the Department of Interior and Local Government earlier signed Joint Administrative Order 2020-001 to delineate the roles of national and local government units on the promotion of active transportation.