A biker is forced to take the middle part of Leon Garcia St. in Davao City because he could not use the bike lane on the right already occupied by jeepneys and trucks. MindaNews file photo by GG BUENO
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 26 June) – Motor vehicles would encroach on the city’s bike lanes during rush hours, posing risks to bikers and walkers, two environment groups said in a media forum on Wednesday.
Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS) and Ecoteneo, which shared this observation, said there is a need for secure bike lanes and walkable roads to enhance mobility.
“All the motorriders are crowding the bike lane, which is not safe for bikers. So, we hope that along with mass transportation, shared mobility must be prioritized so it’s safe to bike and walk around Davao City,” said Ecoteneo director Carmela Marie Santos.
Santos said this is one of the issues they wanted to highlight this year, hoping to encourage bikers to bike for commuting rather than for recreational purposes.
“The roads are not just for cars or vehicles, di ba?
It’s for everyone. It’s for people, walking people, biking.
We really hope to push for that this year,” she said.
The initiative aligns with IDIS’ recommendations to make the city’s new transportation system inclusive.
Lemuel Manalo, IDIS program coordinator, proposed a PWD (persons with disability)-friendly bus system and stations that would maintain mobility along the bike lanes.
“So the PWD ramps, we expect those in our bus systems as well as the stations that will not disrupt the flow of the cyclists as well,” he said.
IDIS has made a walkability study to support this advocacy and Sustainable Development Goal 11, which aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
The study results will be released on July 11 in Tagum City, July 17 in Digos City, and July 25 in Davao City. (Kylene Faith Andales/MindaNews)
