Are you one of the many commuters who have shifted to riding a bicycle as your primary means of transport? We know riding conditions are far from ideal right now, but hang in there—several projects and initiatives are in the works to improve the situation.
In Quezon City, for instance, the current 55km network of bike routes established since 2018 will be expanded to a total of 161km, as part of the local government’s plan “commitment to sustainable recovery and the global clean air initiative.”
“This was a priority for us even before COVID-19 happened as part of our global commitment to reducing air pollution by 2030,” said Mayor Joy Belmonte, “but due to the pressing need for transport during the pandemic, and the bike culture that emerged as a result of this, we are fast-tracking its implementation.”
The bicycle-lane network will feature barriers, signage, markers, and other necessary infrastructure to ensure the safety of riders. The local government is also working with the Move As One Coalition to identify additional bike routes near hospitals and healthcare facilities to help ease the daily commute of health workers, in particular. Construction will begin in the next few weeks through the city’s Parks Development and Administration Department (PDAD) and the Task Force on Transportation and Traffic Management (TFTTM).
Elsewhere in Metro Manila, the City of San Juan is also launching pop-up bike lanes today, June 3, which happens to be World Bicycle Day. A planned expansion to this network will then allow riders to get from Pasig River to the Santolan–Annapolis station without passing through EDSA.
For more of our stories on the ongoing crisis, click here. For the latest news and updates on COVID-19, check out reportr.world/covid-19.
