Baguio commences P50M bike lane project

Baguio City, Philippines – The P50 million first phase bike lane project of the city government of Baguio, which would cover at least 14 kilometers of selected roads at the Central Business District (CBD) and Loakan Road, is now underway.

“The project is part of the city's Micro-Baguio Initiative to transform Baguio into a ‘20-minute city’ as conceptualized jointly by the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO), City Engineering Office and the City Environment and Parks Management Office,” Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong said in a press release.

CPDO coordinator Architect Donna Tabangin disclosed that the goal of the project is for the residents of Baguio to go about their daily activities within a 20-minute travel time from their homes and vice versa through cycling, walking, and modern public transportations.

Tabangin, as reported by the Public Information Office of Baguio, said that ‘the concept also envisions the city's roads to become community spaces that could eventually be transformed to accommodate various modes of mobility.’

The routes of the CBD bike loop include Justice Hall to Kalaw Street, with connectors near the Baguio General Hospital Rotunda to Panagbenga Park and Gov. Pack Road to BGH Rotunda. Outer routes include Loakan-Apugan to Leonard Wood Road, Harrison Road to M.

Roxas St. via Magsaysay Ave-Bonifacio St., and City Hall to Marcos Highway via Legarda Road.

City Engineer Edgar Victorio Olpindo said that ‘the project is in consonance with the inverted pyramid for mobility or transport that prioritizes bike lanes, pedestrians and public transportation over commercial vehicles and trucks, high-occupancy vehicles and single-occupancy cars.’

Meanwhile, Councilor Lilia A. Fariñas, author of the ordinance, disclosed that the project will foster economic and environmental sustainability as it makes travel of residents going to work easier, while it also helps reduce air pollution from the motorized vehicles which according to studies is significantly contributing to global warming.

The ordinance stated that motorists or drivers found in violation of the local legislative measure on bike lane, such as not slowing down when passing over the mandatory pedestrian or bicycle lane or not giving to walkers, joggers, or cyclists using the lane shall be fined an amount of P3,000 for the first offense, P4,000 for the second offense and P5,000 or 1 month imprisonment.

Said project was studied, planned, and implemented in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways and stakeholders.

The project second phase will cover other streets and major roads in the city.

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