Public hearing set for bike lanes ordinance

THE Cebu City Council Committee on Laws gave the green light for the proposed bike lanes ordinance to proceed.

“The proposed measure is within the power of this august body to enact, however, this committee recommends conduct of a public hearing to hear the stand and sentiments of the stakeholders, for or against the said proposed ordinance,” the committee report reads.

In response, the proposed ordinance’s author, Councilor Nida Cabrera, sought to set a public hearing on June 25.

The committee cited section 458 of Republic Act 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991 which empowers the Sangguniang Panlungsod to regulate the use of streets within its jurisdiction.

“This committee notes the proposed ordinance basically aims to establish shared priority bike lanes and bike-friendly zones with the objective, among others, of promoting cleaner environment,” said councilor Sisinio Andales who heads the committee on laws, ordinances, public accountability and good government.

The ordinance, which was named “The Tindak Sugbo Lanes Ordinance”, aims to establish shared priority bike lanes or bike-friendly zones where priority is given to bikes and other human-powered vehicles.

These areas will be marked with a shared-lane marking or “sharrow”. The ordinance defines sharrow as a 1.5-meter-wide pavement marking installed on the rightmost side of the road to indicate where bikers or cyclists could cruise, avoiding the door zone of parked cars; to alert motorists to share the road with bikers and to make known that the street is a shared priority bike route.

Under the ordinance, the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW), in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (Citom), and after consultations with the affected barangays shall establish the appropriate bike-friendly zones.

They will also establish the necessary road or traffic signs in these areas.

A Tindak Sugbo Board will be created to formulate and oversee the administration and implementation of the bike lanes plan of the city.

The board will be composed of the city mayor or his authorized representative as chairman, while the vice chairman will be the head of the committee on environment of the City Council or a representative.

Other members of the board will include representatives from Citom, DEPW, City Planning and Development Office, five active bike groups and one transport organization.

Funding for the establishment of the bike lanes will be through an allocation of one percent of the city’s total Annual Investment Plan.