DUE TO the ongoing Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project construction, the Land Transportation Office in Central Visayas (LTO) 7 said it won’t strictly implement bike lanes ordinance along affected roads, particularly along Osmeña Boulevard, in Cebu City.
LTO 7 Director Glen Galario, however, reminded motorists traversing other parts of Cebu, not affected by any major road constructions, to respect bike lanes and shared roads to prevent unwanted road accidents.
LTO 7 helps implement the bike lanes ordinance in Cebu City.
In a press conference to welcome the agency’s newly appointed assistant director Arturo Roque Apolinar on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023, Galario acknowledged that they could not fully implement the bike lanes along Osmeña Boulevard, as the ongoing construction works for the BRT have left limited and narrower roads for motorists.
“We are aware that work is still being done, and because the road is narrower, we cannot strictly enforce it,” Galario said in Cebuano.
Works for the BRT Project’s Phase One have begun to progress towards the vicinity of the Cebu Capitol.
The Cebu City Transportation Office, earlier, asked motorists for patience as rerouting and other traffic measures are being implemented to accommodate both the BRT construction and the motorists.
Penalty
Galario, however, emphasized that bike lanes in other areas should be clear of obstruction and available for its intended users.
According to a January 2023 SunStar report, the city’s Sugbo Bike Lanes Board (SBLB) warned that they will apprehend those who will obstruct, park or stop inside bike lanes, and refuse to pay the fines as stated in City Ordinance 2408 or the Sugbo Bike Lanes Ordinance.
Under the same ordinance, individuals apprehended for obstructing bike lanes must pay P500 within a week for a first violation and P1,000 for a second offense.
If a settlement cannot be reached within the given time frame, the SBLB will file a complaint letter with the court.
Moreover, if the same offense is repeated for the third time, the offender will be required to pay P1,500 in fines and serve at least six months in jail.
Violators
SBLB said on Tuesday that the number of people apprehended and fined for disobeying the city’s bike lane ordinance has already surpassed 5,000.
Data from the board showed that from January to July 2023, a total of 5,100 motorists violated the Sugbo Bike Lanes Ordinance.
The highest number of apprehensions this year, at 1,094, occurred in July.
Deputized agents
Meanwhile, Galario announced that LTO 7 deputized 60 additional agents in Central Visayas, particularly in Metro Cebu, to help enforce traffic laws and inspect vehicles for roadworthiness.
These deputized agents are also tasked to conduct weekly random checkpoints at strategic locations in the region. (KJF)