Councilor Diosdado Mahipus is considering amending the bicycle ordinance authored by the late Councilor Leonardo Avila III in 2002.
Mahipus is pushing for the inclusion and implementation of a “biker’s privileged lane” under the ordinance in identified wider roads like Carlos P. Garcia Highway, parts of MacArthur Highway, and J.P. Laurel Avenue.
In the downtown areas, Mahipus suggested “to fully utilize the extended pavements for the benefit of the motorists” adding that since the bicycle and motorcycle riders can both be considered as motorists, there should be an equal utilization of “the facility provided by the government.”
The councilor urged for the assistance of the City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) in providing lanes not only for the four-wheeled trucks but also for the two-wheeled vehicles.
According to Mahipus, this idea is patterned after Europe where the government allotted the extended pavement for the bicycle and motorcycle riders instead of using it as concrete parking space for private vehicles.
He also added that other vehicles that will intrude in the “biker’s privileged lane” will be criminally liable to prevent any abuse of motorists’ rights.
“Unless you will put a penal provision on this bicycle lane, it will be honored more on the breach than in compliance,” he said.
Mahipus is pushing for the immediate amendment of the ordinance in the city council before his term ends this June 30, 2019.
