QC to add bike lanes in city development plan

MANILA, Philippines – Residents of Quezon City may soon find more bike-friendly roads, after the local government vowed to develop “green routes” and integrate these into the development plan of the highly urbanized city.

On Sunday, April 26, the city hosted Summer Cycling Convergence: Festival of the Fireflies, an event that aimed to bring together hundreds of cyclists from all over Metro Manila to promote the culture of cycling as a way to preserve the environment.

The Firefly Brigade, a non-governmental organization promoting clean air and habitable cities, organized the event.

During the event, Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista promised to develop more “green lanes” to provide safe routes and encourage more people to use their bicycles around the city.

Bautista instructed the city’s Department of Public Order and Safety, City Planning and Development Office, and the Environmental Protection and Waste Management Department, to study the creation of more bike lanes.

He also said that the government’s support for cycling is part of the city’s campaign to go green and help mitigate the effects of climate change.

The local government is also coordinating with the Firefly Brigade to respond to the needs of cyclists for an environmentally sustainable and safe form of transportation.

Quezon City currently has bike lanes opened along Katipunan Avenue – starting from Aurora Boulevard to Miriam College – and along University Avenue to Tandang Sora. 

The cities and municipalities of Cainta, Caloocan, Las Piñas, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Manila, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Parañaque, Pasay, Pasig, Pateros, San Juan, Taguig, and Valenzuela also participated in Sunday’s event at the Quezon Memorial Circle.

No number coding for e-vehicles

Meanwhile, the city government also recently adopted another environment-friendly initiative: exempting vehicles powered by alternative fuel from the number coding scheme. 

Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista signed the ordinance modifying the city’s Traffic Management Code last April 20.

Under the ordinance, vehicles powered by electricity, liquefied petroleum gas, compressed natural gas, or other forms of green technology may travel across the city any day of the week. (READ: You may now board Quezon City e-jeepneys)

The city government said the ordinance aims to help curb the emission of greenhouse gases and to reduce the harmful health effects of air pollution.

It also aims to encourage more people to shift to greener modes of transportation. – Rappler.com