When Quezon City rolled out its new initiative to put up more protected bike lanes in its locale, our story garnered mixed reactions. But despite everything that everyone had to say on social media, one thing was clear: This was much appreciated by both cyclists and commuters alike.
This year, we might get to see more of these protected bike lanes–albeit probaly not the plant box kind, which is totally fine, of course. See, Congress has just bumped the funding for the Active Transport and Safe Pathways Program (ATSPP) to P1 billion to fast-track the development of thse protected bike lanes.
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The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) initially requested Congress for a funding of P500 million, but Quezon City Representative Marvin Rillo said Congress doubled it.
“In the 2024 General Appropriations Law, we bumped up to P1 billion the budget for bicycle lanes with durable physical separation from mixed traffic lanes,” Rillo said. “This is our way of reassuring Filipinos that cycling is a sustainable alternative mode of mobility.
“We are absolutely determined to promote cycling and lessen harmful motor vehicle emissions in the interest of public health,” he added.
The ATSPP covers not only bike lanes but also pedestrian walkways–both at-grade and elevated ones–so this could only bode well for our commuting public. Funds for other bicycle-friendly infrastructure such as bicycle racks and end-of-trip cycling and support facilities also come from this program.
So, do you reckon we’ll be seeing a less car-centric and more pedestrian-friendly Metro Manila in the coming years? Chime in through the comments section.
