Cycling advocacy groups听push for听P14-B听budget for听projects to improve mobility听听
GROUPS advocating the use of bicycles and better public transportation called on Congress to increase next year鈥檚 budget for setting up protected bike lanes across the country to P14 billion.听
In a joint statement on Sunday, celebrated as National Bicycle Day in the country, the groups said the current P2-billion allocation under the proposed 2022 expenditure program听is听鈥渘ot听enough to support the countless Filipinos throughout the country who have shifted to cycling as everyday transport during the pandemic.鈥澨听
They said more funds would听allow听for听a more equitable distribution of road space to bicycle and motor vehicle听users.听听
The level of car ownership in the Philippines is the fifth听lowest globally, with about 47% of Filipino households听not having a private vehicle, according to market research firm Nielsen.听听
The groups said their proposed听P14-billion budget听could be allocated to听several projects, including the听upgrade of听half of听the existing Bayanihan bike lanes in听the major urban areas of听Manila, Cebu, and Davao to ensure safety and accessibility.听听
Part of the fund could be used to establish听at least 30 kilometers of protected bike lane networks in each of the 130 cities outside Metro Manila, while strengthening active transport institutions by funding technical assistance facilities.听听
They also called for the construction of听10,000 public bike racks and bike parking facilities all over the Philippines.听听
Senator Juan Edgardo 鈥淪onny鈥 M. Angara, who chairs the Senate Finance committee, did not immediately respond to a Viber message seeking comment.听听听
鈥淲ithout this investment, we will continue to be in this vicious cycle of road crash injuries, death, and inequitable recovery from the pandemic,鈥澨齮he groups said.听听
The joint statement was signed by Move听As听One Coalition, Metro Naga Active Transport Community Mobility Awards, MNL Moves, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities,听Pinay Bike Commuter, 350 Pilipinas, Bikes for the Philippines, Tiklop Society of the Philippines, The Firefly Brigade, Makati Business Club (MBC), MBC Business for Biking Project,听Oragon听Bikers, Inc., Bicycle Friendly Philippines, and Life Cycles Philippines.听鈥斕鼳lyssa Nicole O. Tan听
