TALISAY City Mayor Gerald Anthony Gullas Jr. wants to put up bike lanes in the city.
In a statement posted on his official Facebook page, Gullas said he is proposing to put bike lanes in four routes in the city.
This includes putting bike lanes within the Brgy. Pooc area, from Brgy. Poblacion to Linao, from Brgy. Linao to Bulacao via the national highway and from Brgy. Tabunok to the mountain barangays via the Talisay-Uling access road.
Gullas said they are considering those areas for bike lane placement because of the road size and their capacity to accommodate both bikes and motorized vehicles.
As for putting bike lanes on the Cebu South Coastal Road, Gullas said he needs to coordinate with other agencies including the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the local police to ensure the safety of bikers.
He is also seeking the assistance of biking groups in the city to help him on how they can put up those bike lanes with the safety of both bikers and motorists in mind.
Gullas said, “I have always believed that the City Government cannot do it alone. I will need the help of our Talisaynons in making this decision. Two heads are always better than one. I think with your input, I can make a better decision for the city.”
Meanwhile, Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella has released Executive Order 80 on Wednesday, June 10, temporarily suspending bicycle registrations in the city.
But even with the suspension of bicycle registration, Labella urged cyclists to be aware of the city’s traffic rules and regulations.
Due to Cebu City Ordinance No. 2408 or the Sugbo Bike Lanes Ordinance passed by the City Council some five years ago, bicycles need to be registered.
However, with the current situation in Cebu City wherein public transportation is limited, Labella decided to temporarily suspend the mandatory registration of bicycles.
Labella directed the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO), Philippine National Police and barangay officials to implement the order.
Now that the city is under general community quarantine, many have opted to use bicycles in going to and from their workplace.
In a previous interview, Labella said a dedicated bike lane is underway. He previously formed an ad hoc committee to conduct a study on the city streets where bike lanes can be established.
Labella said he also wants the City Ordinance No. 2408 to be reviewed by the City Legal Office.
CCTO spokesperson Ronnie Nadera reminded bikers not to use the center lanes to avoid any vehicular accident.
In Mandaue City, local officials issued some guidelines for bikers after they started putting up bike lanes earlier this week.
Jamaal James Calipayan, Mandaue City administrator and acting head of the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (Team), reminded bikers to not only follow the strict road rules but also to protect themselves.
On his Facebook page, Calipayan said all bikers must use helmets while riding their bikes and rear reflectors when traveling at night.
A permanent and regular seat should be attached to every bicycle and must not carry more than what is allowed for the bike.
Bikers must obey all the traffic laws, including yielding to pedestrians.
Bikers must avoid doing road stunts and must keep at least one hand on the handlebars at all times.
Bikers should always stick to one lane and should not maneuver between vehicles and must never counterflow the traffic.
Operators must report to local law enforcement any accident involving either personal injury or property damage.
They must familiarize the hand signals to use if they intend to stop or turn and give audible warnings whenever necessary to ensure safety.
A cyclist must observe proper distance between himself and other cyclists.
It is also stated in the post that the Team will give a week of grace period for the cyclists to familiarize and comply with the rules.
“These guidelines are not set to make your lives difficult but to ensure your own safety as a road user,” Calipayan said in his post. (JKV, JJL, KFD)