THE Senate passed on third and final reading a measure seeking to provide safe and convenient pathways for pedestrians, bikers, and non-motorized vehicles.

With 21 affirmative votes, the Senate approved Senate Bill 1290, also known as the "Walkable and Bikeable Communities Act," which was sponsored by Senator Pia Cayetano, chairperson of the Committee on the Sustainable Development Goals, Innovation and Futures Thinking.

Once the bill is passed into law, both the public and private sectors shall promote active transport as a sustainable and healthy means of transportation and develop the Safe Pathways Network by setting up the necessary infrastructure facilities and programs, such as multi-use racks and other end-of-trip facilities.

At present, several cities in Metro Manila, as well as in other parts of the country such as Iloilo City, have established their own networks of bicycle lanes.

“More Filipinos had taken to cycling, especially after lockdowns were imposed on public transportation due to the Covid-19 pandemic. As a result, bike lane networks were set up nationwide to facilitate active mobility, and these facilities continue to be expanded as the economy has opened up,” said Cayetano, who had been advocating the shift to active and sustainable transportation even before the pandemic.

“Providing a safe pathways network of bicycle lanes, walkways and slow streets in the country would result in reduced carbon emission and help ease road congestion. It would also provide multiple health benefits to the public,” she added.

A Social Weather System (SWS) survey showed that one in four households in the Philippines owns a bicycle. It said that the number of households with bicycles in urban areas and in the National Capital Region had more than doubled since 2021, indicating a strong demand for active transport.

As of April 2022, 7.3 million households in the country own a bicycle, as compared to 6.2 million households in May 2021.

The same SWS survey showed that 80 percent of Filipinos believe that having better roads would encourage more people to use a bike as a mode of transportation. (SunStar Philippines)