Año urged local gov’t unit to build protected biking lanes, walking paths

August 31, 2020

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Monday urged local government units to construct protected biking lanes and walking paths after data showed that the public transport system can be a breeding ground for COVID-19 transmission.

Año said public mass transportation, unfortunately, has become vulnerable to COVID-19 transmission despite health protocolswhich is why walking and biking must be encouraged for they “present less contact among the populace leading to less opportunities for infection”.

“Data from the ground showed that the public transport system can be a breeding ground for COVID-19 transmission. That’s why we continue to encourage the LGU to build walking paths and bike lanes. This is to assure the safety of those who are walking and biking,” he said.

Año said they signed a Joint Administrative Order (JAO) 2020-0001 with other national government agencies (NGAs) to urge LGUs to see this as an urgent matter.

The JAO will also address the limited transportation options for essential travel and curtail transmissions in public transportation.

“The COVID-19 crisis is pushing us to be adaptive and constructing bike lanes and walking paths is one way to address the challenge of this pandemic and we hope that we get the cooperation of the local government,” Año  said.

The JAO also provides minimum public health standards for active transport users, such as the use of face masks and physical distancing.

Prior to the issuance of the JAO, Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said they issued Memorandum Circular 2020-100 in July stating the guidelines to set up a network of cycling lanes and walking paths to support people’s mobility.

“With the limited modes of transportation available today, people would understandably look for alternatives. As more and more people shift to biking as a way to get to their destinations, LGUs must be prepared to support them through the allotment of bike lanes to ensure their safety,” Malaya said.

Malaya said LGUs should revisit their existing local public transport route plan to properly plan, identify, and adopt the appropriate engineering and infrastructure solutions of designated local roads to be converted or redesigned for cycling lanes and walking paths.

To ensure proper support for active transport, Malaya recommended LGUs to enact policies and ordinances, and prescribe rules and regulation on the use of roads. Ella Dionisio/DMS