'(Mayor) Belmonte wants to turn the city into Copenhagen of the Philippines, fashioned after the most bike-friendly capital in the world with almost half of its population going to work or school by bike.'
TRAUMA caused by the gun-toting dismissed cop in a viral video of road rage would soon be a thing of the past as soon as the government fulfills its promise to construct dedicated bike lanes, at least in some parts of the country's richest city.
During the groundbreaking ceremony with the Department of Transportation, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said that they are already in the process of transforming the entire city as the cycling capital of the Philippines -- starting with two major roads as pilot project sites.
According to Belmonte, the first dedicated bike lanes would be constructed at Elliptical Road and Commonwealth Avenue.
"Matagal na nating pangarap para sa lungsod ang magkaroon ng mga daan na ligtas, maganda, at pwedeng lakaran para sa lahat ng QCitizens at ito ay unti-unti na nating natutupad," said Belmonte.
"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," averred Transportation Sec. Jaime Bautista during the groundbreaking ceremony.
Elevated Bike Paths
Under the project, there will be two kilometers of Class 1 bike lanes. By Class 1, it means that these bike lanes are designated protected paths that are completely separated from the roads occupied by motor vehicles. It's an open space with its own sidewalk, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways.
Elliptical Road will have the first-ever elevated bike lane, "so it's fully segregated now from the motorized transportation," Quezon City's Assistant City Administrator for Operations Alberto Kimpo was quoted as saying in a news report published in Spot PH.
There will also be 10 public utility vehicle (PUV) stops and sidewalk improvements. In a video released by DOTr, some of the designated PUV stops were seen located in ATI, TUCP, PHILCOA, Tandang Sora, Don Antonio and Batasan.
The active transport expansion project — said to benefit almost three million Quezon City residents — is slated to be completed by the first quarter of 2024.
"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.
Copenhagen Model
The project is part of Belmonte's aim to make Quezon City the cycling capital of the Philippines before she ends her second term in 2025.
Belmonte wants to turn the city into Copenhagen of the Philippines, fashioned after the most bike-friendly capital in the world with almost half of its population going to work or school by bike. Currently, the city maintains 178 kilometers of cycling roads, and she plans to almost double it by adding 172 kilometers more in the next 20 months, PhilStar.com said, quoting Belmonte.
"I'm quite proud because some cities are already dismantling their bike lanes because of pressure from the motorists, but with us, no, because it's a right. It depends on the values the city espouses, and for us, inclusivity is important. Not everyone, in fact, much less people have motorized vehicles than they do bikes. One out of three families yata has a bike, so we have to recognize them. Give them the right to use the road," Belmonte quipped.
SAFE RIDE. The Quezon City government cited the need to make sure bikers reach their destinations 'safe and sound' via dedicated bike lanes.
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