More than five months after bike lane ordinance, mayor still has to convene board
TINDAK SUGBO GAINS GROUND
The Cebuanos’ observance of the Earth Hour exceeded the one-hour switch off and spilled into the streets, as more climate-conscious people use bicycles as a mode of transportation.
Aside from surpassing almost tenfold the energy savings last year with a 18.32-megawatt (MW) decrease in power demand during the 8:30-9:30 switch off, energy demand after the Earth Hour was 1.86 MW lower compared to the demand last March 21. This is a little lower than the total power saved in Earth Hour 2014, which was 1.9 MW.
At the Plaza Sugbo grounds fronting City Hall and SM Cebu Mall, bike racks were unveiled as provided for by the Tindak Subgo Lanes Ordinance.
But more than five months after the approval of the bike lane ordinance, Mayor Michael Rama still has to convene the Tindak Sugbo board which would oversee the overall implementation of the local law.
Pedal power
A global movement to increase public awareness on climate change, Earth Hour in Cebu has evolved into a community action to decrease carbon emission as more and more people participate in the Earth Hour bike ride and the sustained efforts to encourage biking as a mode of transportation around the city.
In Cebu City, about 5,000 bikers hit the streets during the Earth Hour.
In Mandaue City, Mayor Jonas Cortes led around a hundred bikers around the city as women sweated it out in a Zumba dance session at the city hall grounds.
As for the Tindak Sugbo board that has yet to be convened, one of its duties is to decide which areas in the city will be designated as the 1.5-meter shared priority bike lane.
“We are still waiting for the mayor’s office to issue an order designating the members of the Tindak Sugbo board. I hope the mayor can already come up with the board so we can start. Unless the board is convened, we can’t start with the implementation like designating the areas for the shared priority bike lanes,” Cabrera said.
She said the bikers’ groups have already sent to the mayor’s office their official representative to the board. The mayor is yet to appoint the other members and issue an order.
READ: Fire dancers, music as mall turns off lights
Other members of the board include the mayor or his authorized representative, the heads of the committee on environment and laws, Citom, the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Aside from representatives from the bikers’ groups, it also has members from a transport organization, a representative of civil society and a representative from the business sector.
The DEPW together with DPWH-7 and Citom will be responsible in establishing traffic signs for the shared priority bike lanes.
The 1.5-meter lanes will give priority to bikers, although these may be used by motorized vehicles if there are no bikers using the lane.
The same ordinance also mandates businesses in the city to put up bike racks. Business permits of violators will not be renewed.
After paying the required fees at the City Treasurer’s Office, bikers will be issued bike licenses.
Among the prohibitions listed in the ordinance are: obstructing the shared lanes, biking under the influence of alcohol, doing exhibitions on the lanes, and for motor vehicles to drive less than three feet from a biker.
Penalties for violations include P500 for the first offense, P1,000 on second offense and P1,500 on third offense.
Cabrera said she hopes to augment the budget for the bike lanes next year. Under the ordinance, one percent of the city’s total Annual Investment Plan should be the source of funds for the establishment of the lanes.
“We hope that the bike lanes in City Hall will encourage more employees to bike to work to reduce pollution,” she said.
READ: Bike run in 12 villages
She said there were suggestions to put up a comfort room near the bike racks so that people can have an area to freshen up or change clothes before they go inside City Hall.
No bike lanes
Despite the lack of a bike lane, thousands of bikers flocked thoroughfares and major streets in the city for an hour-long night ride last Saturday.
“The bikers were very happy, especially with the bike racks. I just hope that by next year, when we do the night bike ride, there will already be bike lanes in the city of Cebu,” said Cabrera, who heads the committee on environment.
According to the organizers, she said almost 5,000 bikers joined the ride.
Cabrera said there were slight problems when some bikers tried to catch up when the ride had already started. She said the marshals decided not to let them through to prevent accidents and traffic, as they were already far behind the group.
According to the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (Citom), the ride officially started at around 8:12 in the evening. All participants, including the bikers and the marshals arrived at the end point by 9:54 p.m.
“It was orderly. There were zero accidents for the entire ride. They were able to start a little late since we still had to make sure that all intersections were clear of obstructions,” said Citom operations chief Joy Tumulak
The bike ride started at IT Park going through Salinas Drive, Gorordo Ave., Escario St., Osmeña Blvd., Fuente to P. Del Rosario, New Imus Road, Gen. Maxilom Ave., back to Gorordo Ave., then Cardinal Rosales Ave. to Montaña to Salinas Drive passing by TESDA to Del Mar then back to IT Park.
The night bike ride has become a yearly activity of local bikers in Cebu during Earth Hour.
Bikers in Cebu have been advocating for bike use in order to minimize car emissions.
We belong to the Earth
Cortes, in his speech quoted a saying which goes, “The Earth does not belong to us; We belong to the Earth.” He reminded everyone to acknowledge the Earth as a gift from God and take responsibility as stewards of creation.
He encouraged everyone to go beyond the hour which includes sustained changes in behavior and investment. “We can start in simple little things like segregating properly our garbage at home and workplace, avoid littering anywhere, switching off the lights and unplugging electrical connections when not in use.”
The mayor challenged his constituents to do their share because there is hope that the adverse impact of climate change can be mitigated, if not reversed. /with reports from Victor Anthony V. Silva
Disclaimer: The comments uploaded on this site do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of management and owner of Cebudailynews. We reserve the right to exclude comments that we deem to be inconsistent with our editorial standards.
