The Department of Transportation (DOTr) broke ground on Monday for the establishment of bike lanes along sections of Elliptical Road and Commonwealth Avenue, targeted for completion by the first quarter next year. The expansion of active and public transport infrastructures includes the construction of 2-kilometer bike lanes and 10 public utility vehicle stops as well as sidewalk improvement. Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said active transport expansion not only involves the construction of bike lanes but also ensuring the safety of cyclists and other road users. “We want to emphasize the safety of cyclists. We want to ensure cycling is a safe mode of daily travel, no longer just for leisure,” Bautista said during the groundbreaking ceremonies. “The use of non-motorized personal vehicles has been embraced by many who vouch for the health benefits of this mode of transport.” About three million Quezon City residents are expected to benefit from the transport project. Bautista also thanked the Quezon City government for its support in the active transport program. “The increasing number of cyclists in Quezon City can significantly help redirect this city’s growth path towards preserving the environment. With clear support from the local government and civic organizations, we are confident this project will steer Quezon City away from the obnoxious sign of progress – road traffic,” Bautista said. The DOTr is targeting to expand the protected bike lanes network to 2,400 kilometers by 2028. The protected bike lane is under DOTr’s active transport program — one of the agency’s flagship programs — that is in accordance with the National Transport Policy and the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028.
Source: Philippines News Agency
