MABALACAT CITY -- Local officials and cyclists are looking into the possibility of establishing bike lanes in the city as more people are using bicycles on public roads brought by community quarantine restrictions in the country.
Mayor Cris Garbo and other city officials on Tuesday met with a group of cycling enthusiasts led by Coach Melvin Fausto, who is also a triathlon instructor, and discussed plans of constructing a bicycle infrastructure.
Fausto asked the mayor to adopt the standard design for bike lanes to protect the bike commuters, especially workers.
He also underscored the need to integrate the bike lanes of cities and towns in Pampanga to promote the new mode of transportation.
"May existing road network naman tayo, so sa group namin ang pag-aaralan natin ngayon is paano sila ma-connect. But first of all is i-connect sila with the cities' permission and we need to have our own ordinance. Parang ibig sabihin dapat iisa lang ang guidelines from San Fernando, Angeles and Mabalacat," Fausto said.
He said the group will work with local government units to construct functional and safe bike lanes.
Fausto said local government units may start creating temporary bike lanes.
"Sa ngayon ang magagawa lang muna natin ay yung tinatawag na pop-up. Either maglagay tayo ng cones, mga temporary barriers, yung pwede in the meantime hanggang ma-execute natin siya in the future."
The cycling coach cited the support of LGUs and concerned government agencies, including the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), in this endeavor.
"Kasi yung bike lane ang standard will take around four to six meters [wide]," Fausto said.
Garbo expressed his support with the plan, saying cycling has a lot of benefits especially on people's health, economy and the environment.
"We are trying to push and support yung bike lanes natin kasi yung cycling maraming benefits yan. Sa health, sa environment and of course sa economy natin," the mayor said.
Aside from this, bike lanes will also be beneficial to workers both in government and private entities.
"This is a wake up call especially sa country natin kasi kung pupunta ka sa ibang bansa napakagandang tignan. Lalo na sa Vietnam na tinaguriang bike capital ng Southeast Asia," Garbo said.