BICYCLE registration in Davao City is made more convenient after the 19th Davao City Council approved the ordinance on July 27, 2021, allowing owners to register their bikes in their respective barangays with an annual registration fee of P20.
The City Council passed on third and final reading the "Amended Bicycle and Light Mobility Vehicle Ordinance of Davao City," an amendment to Ordinance No. 0409-10 or the Bicycle Ordinance of Davao City.
Councilor Conrado Baluran, committee chairperson on transportation, said the ordinance, which underwent two committee hearings, aims to keep up the pace of the demand for alternative transportation due to the lack of operating vehicles brought about by the current restrictions of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Baluran also said this is in accordance with the order of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) urging all local government units to establish bicycle lanes in all local roads to support those who will bike to their work destination due to the reduced capacity of public transportation under the general community quarantine.
The amendment came after Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio signed the Executive Order (EO) No. 40 or "An order providing for the suspension of bicycle registration, bicycle registration fees, and allowing the use of bicycle lanes in the City of Davao," which was publicly released on June 19, 2020.
Baluran said the suspension of the bike registration is due to the inconsistencies in the stipulating provisions on bicycle registration fees covered by the Bicycle Ordinance of Davao City (Bike Ordinance) and the Comprehensive Transport and Traffic Code of Davao City.
The inconsistencies of the provision of both ordinances were raised during the Joint Committee Hearing by the Davao City Council Committees on Peace and Public Safety and Transportation and Communication.
Among the provisions suspended for both ordinances are the following: license requirement, registration, attachment of license plates, and its penalties (Bike Ordinance); bicycle unit and user registration, and its penalties (Traffic Code).
City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) head Dionisio Abude said in a previous SunStar Davao interview that Section 12 of the Bike Ordinance requires bicycle registration with a mandatory payment of P20. Upon registration, the bicycle should be brought to ensure that the brakes are working and that it has the necessary accessories required.
Abude added that according to the Traffic Code, bikers are mandated to secure annual registration from the CTTMO with a fee of P150.
The inconsistencies of the ordinance earned various remarks from bicycle riders and enthusiasts.
Ordinance provisions
Section 4 of the ordinance defines persons on bicycles as any person ranging from 12 years old and above, who is generally riding a bicycle or light mobility vehicle as means of transportation or recreation.
Section 5 of the ordinance defines a child on bicycle, or any person below 12 years old who rides bicycle or light mobility vehicle for recreational sports.
"They must be accompanied and supervised by a parent or guardian on a separate bicycle, light mobility vehicle, on a separate motor vehicle or on foot; and may use their bicycle or light vehicles," Section 5 states, adding that they may only use their bikes within playgrounds, parks, subdivisions, or other recreational areas, or areas designated for bicycle training or competition.
In addition, children on bicycles are not allowed on national highways and bridges.
Exempted in Section 4 and 5 are bicycle cops, medical emergencies, responders on bikes, or any other emergency responders provided they comply with the minimum safety requirements. These include wearing helmets or protective headgear, reflectors or other warning lights, bell or horn, and working brakes.
In terms of rider capacity, bikes should only carry one passenger at a time, while tricycles or tandem vehicles shall be allowed only for the capacity that it is made.
Riders with cargo shall not carry the same with their hands while operating the bike or light vehicle, not place it in their handlebars or along the wheelbase. Cargos must be placed in a wearable backpack, on a basket or carrier in front of the handlebars or behind the seat, on a trailer attached to the bicycle, provided it does not exceed 80 centimeters in width, and devices that compromise safety are not allowed while operating bicycles or light vehicles.
Mandatory registration
Section 8 of the ordinance requires the mandatory registration of bicycles.
Each registration is valid for one bike or light mobility vehicle for one year.
The barangay, in coordination with the City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO), where the bicycle or light mobility vehicle users reside is mandated to process the application and subsequent registration. The barangay shall charge P20 to each registration per bike.
Upon registration, the bicycle must be brought to ensure that it has the necessary minimum safety requirements required by the ordinance.
In addition, a waterproof sticker with license number shall be attached as proof that the bicycle or light mobility vehicle has already been registered.
"Within one year from the implementation of this ordinance, all bicycle or light mobility vehicle users must be registered in order to use the shared roadways and signed shared roadways," the ordinance states.
Section 9 states that bicycle lanes marked by CTTMO and Department of Public Works and Highways will strictly be used by persons on bicycles, except for pedal-operated passenger tricycles for hire and fuel-fed powered bicycles.
"No motorized vehicle may use, park, or stop on the marked bicycle lanes. Pedestrians are urged to use the sidewalks and not the bicycle lanes to give way to persons on bicycles," it states.
Bikers who will not comply with the ordinance will be penalized of P100 for the following violations: non-registration; failure to renew registration; failure to attach registration sticker; and incomplete compliance with minimum safety requirements.