The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Monday projects completing the construction of bike lanes in select parts of the Elliptical Road and Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City by the first quarter of 2024.
Their sustained construction, DOTr numbers show, is projected to lengthen their aggregate length nearly five times in five years.
Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said its active transport expansion program not only involves the construction of bike lanes but also ensures the safety of cyclists and other road users.
“We want to emphasize the safety of cyclists. We want to ensure cycling is a safe mode of daily travel, no longer just for leisure,” Bautista said during the groundbreaking ceremony.
“The use of non-motorized personal vehicles has been embraced by many who vouch for the health benefits of this mode of transport,” he noted.
Bautista expressed gratitude to the Quezon City local government unit for its support in its active transport program that also seeks to provide environmental and economic benefits.
“The increasing number of cyclists in Quezon City can significantly help redirect this city’s growth path towards preserving the environment. With clear support from the local government and civic organizations, we are confident this project will steer Quezon City away from the obnoxious sign of progress – road traffic,” said Bautista.
The expansion of active and public transport infrastructures in selected parts of the Elliptical Road and Commonwealth Ave. in Quezon City includes the construction of two-kilometer bike lanes, 10 public utility vehicle (PUV) stops as well as sidewalk improvement.
Targeted for completion by the first quarter of 2024, the active transport project will benefit almost three million constituents of Quezon City.
Last month, the agency started the construction of bike lanes in Lipa and Batangas City as well as in Antipolo, Cainta, and San Mateo in Rizal.
The Active Transport Program of the DOTr expand the country’s protected bike lane network to 2,400 kilometers by 2028.
At present, the government has already constructed 564 kilometers of bike lanes in Metro Cebu, Metro Manila and Metro Davao.
The DOTr has allotted P500 million for the construction of more bike lanes and proper public transport stops this year.
