Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said the inauguration of 54.74-kilometer bike lane network in Davao City signifies the city government’s commitment to promote cycling and ensuring the safety of cyclists and other road users.
Mayor Sara, together with Department of Transportation (DoTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar, led the virtual inauguration of the Metro Davao Bike Lane Network Project on Tuesday.
The 54.71-kilometer bike lane network in Davao City, which stretches across 14 road sections namely Davao-Cotabato Road, ABS-CBN-Quimpo Boulevard Diversion Road, G.E Street (Sandawa Road), Roxas Avenue, Quezon Ave., Elpidio Quirino Ave., E. Jacinto Extension, Dr. A. Gahol St., Mabini St., F. Torres St., Loyola St., Porras St., Inigo St., and Nicasio St., was officially completed on June 30, 2021.
The bike lane network features white and green pavement markings, signages, bollards, bike symbols and concrete delineators to ensure the bikers’ safety.
The lanes are also equipped with sheds for bike racks for the comfort and convenience of bikers, and are designed with solar studs and planters for greeneries and trees in order to provide cyclists with shade and fresh air.
“I’d like to congratulate the DoTr, DPWH, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA). Thank you for bringing the Metropolitan Bike Lane Network Project to Davao City. By providing Davaoeños with bicycle lanes, they are able to safely maximize usage of their bicycles, whether as a mode of transportation for work or business, or as a means for exercise and leisure activities,” said Mayor Sara in her message during the virtual inauguration.
Tugade said it is the DoTr’s paramount priority to ensure the safety and welfare of all the road users, road-based transport initiatives such as the establishment of bike lane networks, was pursued.
“Sa Kagawaran ng Transportasyon, pinapahalagahan po natin ang buhay ng lahat, lalo na sa daan. Kaya nga ba’t sa pamamagitan nitong mga bike lanes na ito, masiguro ang inyong kaligtasan, pagkat ito ay mayroong pavement markings, physical separators at road signages,” Tugade said.
DPWH Secretary Mark Villar underlined the long-term benefits that the project will provide for the public, as well as for the overall traffic system of the city.
“We are optimistic that the project will not only provide safety and convenience for road users, but also encourage the use of bicycles as a healthier and more environment-friendly alternative. Apart from the convenience and safety for bikers, the construction of bike lanes also help in decongesting traffic as less people will have more options in their daily commute,” he said.
Transportation assistant secretary Mark Steven Pastor said through the unwavering commitment and strong leadership of Tugade, it is the goal of DoTr to put the Filipino commuters at the center of the transportation landscape by providing protected bike lanes in cities, creating safe spaces for the vulnerable road users, the cyclists and pedestrians.
Tugade also enjoined all cyclists to utilize the bike lanes properly, with respect and courtesy.
“These well-designed dedicated bike lanes are for you, our dear cyclists. Ngayong narito na ang pasilidad, ako po ay nakikiusap sa ating mga kababayan—mapa-cyclist, motorista, o pedestrian ka man—gamitin natin ito nang tama. Pairalin natin ang respeto at kortisiya sa kalsada, para everybody safe and happy,” he said.
The project is funded by the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act of 2020 (Republic Act No. 11494) aiming to connect Davao City’s key activity areas through enhancing their accessibility and providing the most vulnerable road users with safe transport infrastructure.
The online activity was also attended by Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chairman Martin Delgra III, MRT-3 OIC-general manager assistant secretary Eymard Eje, assistant secretary for Communications and Commuters Affairs Goddes Hope Libiran, MinDA assistant secretary Romeo Montenegro, DPWH 11 director Rey Peter B. Gille, LTFRB 11 director Nonito A. Llanos III, and other representatives from the DPWH, cyclist organizations, and the city government of Davao.
