Safe Pathways Act

Senate Offite of the Suretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES NOV 17 P3:40 First Regular Session RECEIVED BY: SENATE Senate Bill No. _ 1533 Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING ACTIVE TRANSPORT BY ESTABLISHING A SAFE PATHWAYS NETWORK OF BICYCLE LANES, WALKWAYS, AND SLOW STREETS EXPLANATORY NOTE Building walkable and bikeable communities is not just a matter of urban planning. It is a strategic investment in public health, environmental sustainability, and the social wellbeing of the people. In the Philippines, where vehicle emissions are a huge contributing factor to some 66,000 premature deaths annually, expanding infrastructure for active transport, such as sidewalks and protected bike lanes, offers a sustainable solution that is seen to enhance urban mobility and improve the quality of life of Filipinos. Perhaps the biggest benefit of active transport is reflected in the health of the people. A study published in the British Medical Journal found that walking to work reduced the risk of cardiovascular disease by 27%, while cycling lowered the risk of cha ten by 21/204 cancer by 45%, heart disease by 46%, and premature death overall by 41%.2 Public adoption of cycling is also already growing, especially since the pandemic. More than 80% of Filipinos believe that their cities can be walkable and bikeable, and that priority should be given to active and public transport over private vehicles. 3 GMA Integrated News. Protected bike lanes can do more than just ease Metro Manila's worsening traffic congestion. Published on December 2023. Available at https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/metro/892160/protected-bike-lanes-can-do-more-than-just- ease-metro-manila-s-worsening-traffic-congestion/story/ (Accessed on 13 July 2025). University of Glasgow. Cycling to work may cut your risk of premature death by 40%. Published on 20 April 2017. Available at https://www.gla.ac.uk/news/archiveofnews/2017/may/headline_ 522765_en.html (Accessed on 13 July 2025). SWS, as cited by DOH. SWS: 9/10 Filipinos say public and active transport should be prioritized on roads. Available at https://doh.gov.ph/press-release/sws-9-10-filipinos-say-public-and-active-transport-should-be- prioritized-on-roads (Accessed on 13 July 2025).

Furthermore, a survey found that in 2023, 36% of Filipino households used bicycles, with one in three households having at least one cyclist. Notably, 24% of cyclists use bikes for essential travel like commuting to work. Since 2020, there have been four bicycle owners for every car owner, reflecting a consistent and meaningful shift towards cycling as a practical and accessible transport option. 4 However, this momentum remains limited by inadequate infrastructure. Roads are often unsafe or inaccessible for pedestrians and cyclists. While some local governments have taken steps to build bike lanes, progress is uneven nationwide. Still, as of early 2025, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has constructed over 800 km of bike lanes and aims to expand the same to 2,400 km by 2028.5 To ensure that this goal is realized and in order to build a robust network of safe, connected pathways nationwide, this measure seeks to institutionalize active transport by establishing dedicated walkways, bike lanes, and slow streets connecting people to essential destinations such as schools, hospitals, and offices. This bill also requires the integration of sidewalks and non-motorized transport lanes into road designs, promoting pedestrian safety and accessibility. Additionally, this bill mandates the provision of parking spaces for bicycles and other non-motorized vehicles, and other necessary facilities such as hydration stations, changing areas, and showers to support the infrastructure needed for active transport. To complement infrastructure, this measure emphasizes the importance of transport education and mandates its integration into the curricula to foster a culture of safety and responsibility among all road users. Ultimately, the enactment of this measure is a move towards enhancing mobility and improving the quality of life of Filipinos. When our communities experience safety, convenience, and cohesion, people will walk and bike more, and our country will move closer to building sustainable, resilient, and inclusive cities where health, environment, and quality of life thrive together. In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. WHO. Cycling is healthy and should be practiced through an enabling environment - DOH & WHO. Published on 29 November 2024. Available at https://www.who.int/philippines/news/detail/29-11-2024-cycling-is- healthy-and-should-be-practiced-through-an-enabling-environment-doh---who (Accessed on 13 July 2025). PIA. DOTr expands bike lane network to promote active transport. Published on 21 February 2025. Available at https://pia.gov.ph/dotr-expands-bike-lane-network-to-promote-active-transport/ (Accessed on 13 July

- Denate Offire of the Secretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 25 NOV 17 P3:40 First Regular Session ) RECEIVED BY: SENATE 1533 Senate Bill No. Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING ACTIVE TRANSPORT BY ESTABLISHING A SAFE PATHWAYS NETWORK OF BICYCLE LANES, WALKWAYS, AND SLOW STREETS Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Safe Pathways Act."

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy, - The Constitution mandates the State to

protect and advance the right of the Filipino people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature, and to protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. The State affirms the need for infrastructure and a change in mindset to 7 encourage and accommodate sustainable and healthy modes of active transport such as walking, biking, and the use of other non-motorized vehicles, and to provide safe and convenient pathways for commuters. It further acknowledges the need to provide quick solutions to long-standing mobility issues brought to light by the pandemic and that may arise again in other emergency situations. The State recognizes that prioritizing active transport will result in reduced carbon emissions, reduced road congestion, less use of energy and resources, as well as less dependence on oil, lightening the impact of oil price shocks.

Towards this end, the State shall adopt a policy of promoting and incentivizing 2 the use of active transport to enhance the overall health, safety, and wellbeing of the Filipino people and to protect the environment.

SEC. 3. Safe Pathways Network. - Upon the effectivity of this Act, the

5 Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Department of Public Works and 6 Highways (DPWH), in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH), Department 7 of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and local government units (LGUs), shall 8 identify and create a network of bicycle lanes, hereinafter referred to as Safe Pathways Network, which shall be used strictly for bicycles and other non-motorized vehicles. 10 For the purposes of this Act, "non-motorized vehicles" shall include all forms of travel that do not rely on an engine or motor for movement. This shall include, but not be limited to, walking, bicycles, and small-wheeled non-motorized transport, such as skates, skateboards, kick scooters, cycle rickshaws, and wheelchairs. The bicycle lanes shall, as far as practicable, directly connect users to essential destinations, such as medical facilities, public and private facilities frequented by people, schools and other institutions of learning, and other similar places. The lanes shall be marked appropriately with road signs, mobile signs, or physical barriers and the like. In all cases, lane markings for vehicles shall be appropriately adjusted and/or marked to avoid confusion among motorists. Electric scooters, electric bicycles, and other similar modes of transport may be allowed in the Safe Pathways Network, subject to the guidelines set by the DOTr and other appropriate agencies. To complement the network of bicycle lanes, LGUs shall also create a designated network of people-oriented pathways along local roads that shall provide pedestrians as well as bicycle and non-motorized vehicle users safe and convenient access to frequented destinations by restricting motorized vehicle passage in these pathways during peak hours. These pathways shall be clearly marked with signages containing restrictions. The DOTr and DPWH shall identify priority areas for implementation. In all cases, the DPWH and LGUs shall ensure that sidewalks and non-motorized transport lanes are appropriately integrated in the design and construction of road networks. For this purpose, the DPWH shall make appropriate revisions in its manuals and guidelines for road design and construction to include non-motorized vehicles in

1 the allocation of road space on national and local roads, and to promote the safety of 2 pedestrians and non-motorized vehicle users. The LGUs shall coordinate with the DPWH and other appropriate agencies and issue the necessary measures for the adoption and implementation of the Safe 5 Pathways Network pursuant to this Act. The LGUs shall also regularly clear all local 6 roads and sidewalks of obstructions and make the necessary improvements on existing 7 infrastructures.

SEC. 4. Obedience to Traffic Laws, Rules, and Regulations; Transport

9 Education. - All non-motorized vehicle users, including users of electric scooters, 10 electric bicycles, and other similar modes of transport as allowed by the DOTr and other appropriate agencies, shall obey existing traffic laws, rules, and regulations and shall be subject to existing penalties for violations. For this purpose, the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on 14 Higher Education (CHED), and the Technical Education and Skills Development 15 Authority (TESDA) shall integrate transport education in the curriculum, as appropriate, to ensure that motorists, pedestrians, and ordinary citizens have basic 17 knowledge on traffic laws, rules, and regulations.

SEC. 5. Non-Motorized Vehicle Parking Spaces. - All public places,

government offices, schools, places of work, and major establishments, including malls, banks, hospitals, and the like, shall provide, as far as practicable, adequate parking spaces for bicycles, other non-motorized vehicles, electric scooters, electric bicycles, and other similar modes of transport as allowed by the DOTr and other 23 appropriate agencies.

SEC. 6. Role of the Public and Private Sectors. - Both the public and

private sectors shall promote walking and the use of bicycles and other non-motorized vehicles as alternative means of travel. They shall develop the necessary infrastructure, facilities, and programs for its implementation, including showers, changing areas, and hydration facilities and ensure that the necessary health and other protocols during travel are followed.

SEC. 7. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial

implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the DOTr and the DPWH. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the

1 continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days

from the effectivity of this Act, the DOTr and the DPWH shall, in coordination with 5 the DOH, DILG, other appropriate agencies, and relevant stakeholders, promulgate 6 the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) to effectively carry out the provisions of this Act. Failure of the relevant government agencies to promulgate the IRR within the specified period shall subject the heads of these government agencies to administrative penalties under applicable civil service laws. Should the IRR contain provisions that are contrary to this Act, the heads of the government agencies responsible for such provision, when done in bad faith or with gross negligence, shall be held administratively liable.

SEC. 9. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared

unconstitutional, the remainder hereof or any provisions not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.

SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,

executive order, letter of instruction, rule, or regulation inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,