THE City of Government of San Fernando’s Task Force KKK (Kaayusan para sa Kaunlaran at Kaayusan), composed of Traffic Management Division (TMD) and Public Order Enforcement (POE) contingent, has recently conducted clearing operations on the newly marked bicycle lanes along Mac-Arthur Highway in Barangay Dolores, this city.
Initiated by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 1st Engineering District, the painted bike lanes are from Dolores Elementary School to the Old Dolores Rail Road crossing Monumento Fernandino.
Retired Police Senior Superintendent Danilo Bautista, officer-in-charge of TMD, said the marking activity was then proceeded by the clearing of illegally parked vehicles, ambulant vendors, bollards and other physical obstructions to ensure that the lanes will serve their purpose.
He added that the task force has installed appropriate traffic signages like “No Parking on Bike Lane,” “Bicycle Lane, No Parking,” and “Bike Lane, Tow Away Zone” to guide both cyclists and motorists.
“Una sinabihan muna namin yung mga nakaharang sa bike lanes tapos naglagay kami ng mga karatula at sumunod naman sila. May mga nagbabantay tayong enforcers doon at kapag may matitigas ang ulo, titiketan sila,” Bautista furthered.
In an interview, Mayor Edwin Santiago lauded the efforts of the task force and DPWH for ensuring the full and safe use of bike lanes in the city which also helps lessen traffic problems in the affected areas.
“Ipagpapatuloy namin ang aming adbokasiya na gawing bicycle-friendly ang San Fernando at nakikiusap ako sa publiko na huwag harangan ang mga ginawang linya upang mapanatili natin ang kaayusan sa daan,” he added.
In 2016, the City of San Fernando launched its first bicycle lane, also the first in the entire province of Pampanga.