Wider sidewalks before bike lanes—Rama

Osmeña Boulevard sidewalk. (CDN FILE PHOTO)

Wider sidewalks must come ahead of bike lanes, said Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.

He explained that the bike lanes will be on a portion of the widened sidewalks to ensure the safety of the cyclists.

“I have no problem with putting of bike lanes but let it be practical, reasonable and just. It should not be encouraged in a very restricted width of road,” said Rama, adding that he supports the proposal.

Bikers’ groups converged at the session hall of the Cebu City hall on Wednesday morning to lobby for the passage of an ordinance by Councilor Nida Cabrera that would allow the establishment of shared bike lanes in the city.

Councilor Noel Wenceslao had said the ordinance may encourage more bikers to go out into the streets. Unlike other vehicle drivers, bicycle drivers do not have licenses that may be confiscated for traffic violations. He asked if bicycles could also be impounded for a traffic offense.

“I cannot answer that in a vacuum. This needs consultation with the cyclist groups. They themselves know how to discipline their own ranks,” Yap replied.

Yap said the city council may have to pass another ordinance that would set the penalties for traffic violations committed by cyclists.

There was also a question on whether pedal-pushed tricycles or trisikads are included in the proposal, but Citom head Rafael Yap said these should not be, considering that trisikads function more as service providers.

Rama said the shared bike lanes proposal should be subjected to various discussions first before this is implemented.

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