The Davao City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) has warned motorists of the possible violations they may face for using and blocking designated bike lanes in the city.
CTTMO chief Dionisio Abude said that the city government is currently harmonizing some provisions of the city Bicycle Ordinance and the Traffic Code of Davao.
“Gina-finalize na nato ang penalties sa parking or obstruction sa bike lanes. Since naa na man ta’y bike lanes, so, mag-implement na pud ta nga dapat walay mo-parking diha (We are finalizing the penalties for the [illegal] parking on or obstruction of our bike lanes. Since we already have it, so, we will be imposing rules that no one should be parking there),” Abude said in a phone interview.
Currently, Abude said that car drivers who have illegally parked on bike lanes are charged with illegal parking and fined P500. Aside from this, they may be also facing charges in violation of disregarding traffic signs.
Abude added that the desired time for stopping or dropping in designated bike lanes is 4 minutes. Beyond that, if caught, the violator will be issued a citation ticket.
Abude also said that the CTTMO is prioritizing the establishment of the Bike Management Team to monitor the correct use of bike lanes in the city.
At present, Davao City has 27 roads with new and upgraded bike lanes.
The city government is also collaborating with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) XI to create more dedicated lanes for bicycle riders along the Carlos P. Garcia Highway (Diversion Road), Davao-Bukidnon Highway, Matina Aplaya to Ecoland Drive, C. Bangoy St., Ecowest Drive, and Tulip Drive.
The CCTMO is working on educating more Dabawenyos about the safety and the proper use of bike lanes.
“Kung unsay mga rules and regulations with regards to motorists, in relation to traffic rules and regulations, is the same responsibility sa nagagamit sa atong bike lanes (Whatever rules and regulations we have with regards to motorists, in relation to traffic rules and regulations, it is still the same responsibility for our bike lane users),” Abude said.
Abude also encouraged motorists and bikers to follow traffic rules and regulations religiously.
“Ang pinakaimportante man gyud ani kay disiplina gyud sa mga nagabisikleta, nagagamit sa bike lanes ug motorists. Bisan asa ta nga lugar, atong ipatigbabaw gyud ang disiplina (What important is we have to enforce discipline among bike riders and motorists. Wherever it may be, we have to exercise the value of discipline),” he said.
Cycling became popular for Dabawenyos since the start of the pandemic. Bicycles have become a mode of transportation, especially for employees, when restrictions on public transportation were imposed. CIO
