Pasig City creates bike lanes, extends sidewalks

MANILA: With no public transportation during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ)and its capacity severely diminished even during the general community quarantine (GCQ), Pasig City has made initiatives allowing residents to get around more freely.

Pop-up bike lanes have been designated and sidewalks widened by the Pasig City Transportation Department to add to the existing bike lanes put up in 2018.

"We are introducing bike lanes and extending sidewalks starting in the following areas: Market Avenue (Pasig Mega Market Area), Caruncho Avenue (around the City Hall Complex), and Amang Rodriguez Avenue (East Bank to Marcos Highway)," the department stated on the Facebook page of the Pasig City Public Information Office.

This initiative falls under Mayor Vico Sotto’s Executive Order PCG-18 s.2020 and Sangguniang Panlungsod Resolution No. 59 s.2020 that declares “biking as an essential form of transportation.”

The local order, signed in March 25, also permits bicycle repair shops and other bicycle businesses to operate during the ECQ in order to assist in repair, rehab, and upgrade of the bicycle infrastructure.

“Businesses in the city which are primarily engaged in the repair and maintenance of bicycles including vulcanizing as well as the sale of essential bicycle parts and accessories shall be classified as an essential business and shall be allowed to operate. The city department has also been directed to evaluate areas of major pedestrian traffic and public transportation interchange to ensure that walking is a viable means of transportation in the city,” the order reads.

Part of the bicycle infrastructure that needs work will also be degraded roads, rehab of protected lanes, and intersection treatments.

Currently, only Market Avenue in Pasig Mega Market Area, Caruncho Avenue (around the City Hall Complex), and Amang Rodriguez Avenue (east bank to Marcos Highway) have been enhanced for bicycles and pedestrians but the city is looking at more areas in the coming weeks.

Photo from the Pasig City Public Information Office Facebook page

Also read: Pasig City allows tricycles to operate despite quarantine