SBLB: Most vehicles parked on bike lanes are gov’t-owned

Vehicles are seen blocking a bike lane in Colon Street in Cebu City in this photo taken on March 11, 2021. CDN Digital photo | Brian J. Ochoa

CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Sugbo Bike Lanes Board (SBLB) revealed that most of the vehicles that violate the no-parking policy on bike lanes here are government vehicles.

SBLB chairperson Gerry Carillo, in a statement released four days after their March 11, 2021 assessment of the bike lanes, said that there are still many vehicles that block designated bike lanes in the city, both private and government-owned.

“…most of those that park on the bike lanes are vehicles owned by the government; police cars, garbage trucks of the barangays, ambulances, red plate vehicles and owned by the government employees and personnel. Our government agencies, personnel and employees should set an example by implementing the ordinance,” said Carillo.

Carillo said there are many improvements than need to be made to the current bike lanes in 24 streets to help provide a layer of protection to bikers, especially in traffic-prone areas and areas around commercial spots where other motorists are most likely to violate the no-parking policies.

The SBLB said there is a need to paint the lanes with more reflectorized paints and epoxy so that bikers and motorist can have a clear reproach from the road. Other suggested improvements include placing more signage so that people would be aware of the existing bike lanes; conducting education and campaign as most bikers and motorist are unaware of what the signages means and the usage of the lanes; and strong enforcement of the ordinance creating the lanes once all lanes are completed.

As of now, the city government and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)  have completed 24 routes of the lanes including V. Rama Street, Salvador Street, Katipunan Street, Tres De Abril Street, Carlock Street., B. Aranas Street, Lakandula Street, Tupas Street/Spolarium, Magallanes Street, D. Jakosalem Street, Osmena Boulevard, Lapulapu Street, Urdaneta Street, M.J. Cuenco Avenue/ Central Nautical Highway, Imus Avenue, F. Go Chan Street, F. Cabahug, Street, Cardinal Rosales Avenue, Ayala Road, Gorordo Avenue, and General Maxilom Avenue.

The SBLB is urging government agencies, personnel and employees to set a good example by implementing the ordinance, not just to the public, but also among their own vehicles.

The SBLB also reminds bikers and motorists that the following are prohibited acts in the bike lanes in accordance with Section 8 of Ordinance No. 2408:

•  No person shall create obstruction along the Sugbo Bike lanes such as but not limited to, sidewalk vending, dumping of construction materials and loading and unloading of goods and unfinished construction work except in emergency cases or situations;
• No person operating a motor vehicle shall drive less than three (3) feet away from the biker/cyclist while in Sugbo Bike lanes except to park when parking is allowed or to enter or leave the said lane or prepare for a road turn;
• No biker shall bike under the influence of alcohol and prohibited substances;
• No person operating a bicycle on a highway shall ride on a deat other than permanent and regular seat;
• No person shall operate a bike on a roadway unless he or she is equipped with proper brakes, lights, reflector and safety gear;
• No biker shall cling to another vehicle while driving; and
• No biker shall do any exhibition and stunts on the Sugbo Bike Lanes, such as riding on the handlebars and “step nut” riding and the likes.

The ordinance also provides the penalties for those establishments that shall violate the prohibitions, including a fine of P1,000.00 for the first offense, a fine of P3,000 for the second offense, and a fine of P5,000 for the third offense. For individual violators, the penalty will range from P500 to P1,500.

“The Barangay Officials where the routes are located already made commitment as to the enforcement. We hope we could effectively work out the enforcement of the lanes knowing that a number of motorist are disregarding the lanes. With a number of group making commitments as to the enforcement, we earnestly entrust faith that sooner the bike lanes will be fully functional,” said Carillo.

Read: Barangays tapped to help keep Cebu City bike lanes clear

/bmjo