By Explained PH - Aklan
Photo: Bike Athens
Pedaling becomes more convenient for the Aklanon cycling community as the board members of the province push to implement and establish bike lanes, enacting three resolutions during the sixth regular session of the 19th Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan, Aug. 8 at the Session Hall, SP Building.
Under the direction of Vice Governor and Regular Presiding Officer, Atty. Reynaldo M. Quimpo, three separate resolutions were passed, namely: SP Resolution No. 2022-049, SP Resolution No. 2022-050, and SP Resolution No. 2022-051.
To expedite the marking of bike lanes in the province’s national highways, SP Resolution 2022-049 or "A Resolution Requesting the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to Fast Track Marking of Bike Lanes in the Entire Stretch of the National Highway in the Province of Aklan wherever Possible and Feasible" is proposed.
Through SP Resolution No. 2022-050, entitled “A Resolution Requesting All Component Municipalities in the Province of Aklan to Include Provisions for Bike Lanes in their Respective Local Traffic Route Plans and Traffic Codes,” integration of bike lanes is requested in the respective local traffic route plans and traffic regulation in all towns of Aklan.
Meanwhile, for further promotion of safer roads for the cycling community in the province, SP Resolution No. 2022-051 was passed with the title “A Resolution Requesting the Provincial Task Force on Road Safety of the Province of Aklan to Recommend Measures through a Proposed Ordinance to Address the Protection and Safety of Bikers/Cyclists for Adoption by the 19th Sangguniang Panlalawigan of this Province.”
SP Member Plaridel M. Solidum of the 2nd District of Aklan, introduced the aforementioned legislative measures on the installation of bicycle lanes on national and provincial roads in the province, which served as an outcome of the joint committee hearing conducted on Aug. 2.
“Considering the growing community of bike enthusiasts in Aklan, not to mention other bike communities in Panay and throughout the country, a tourism province like Aklan must have a bike lane,” expressed Solidum in a Facebook post of Aklan Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
Regarding the ongoing road construction projects in the 170.470 km East and West Roads, DPWH representative, Engr. Mark Constantino, Engr II, informed the committees that 1.488 km have markings for bicycle lanes. According to Constantino, as stated in a Facebook post of Aklan SP, 84.910 km of the said roads have already been widened with 21.716 km having carriageways.
To protect those passing through the national and provincial highways, Engr. Marlon Velez, head of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Aklan, advised the committees during the hearing that the local government units may approve a law limiting the motorized vehicle speeds, which may help alleviate traffic snarls. This came after Velez mentioned that bicycle riders are outside the purview of their office.
Furthermore, the installment of bike lanes, according to Engr. Edelzon Magalit, the Provincial Engineer of Aklan, was not proposed in the 2023 Provincial Engineer's Office's (PEO) Annual Investment Program (AIP). This was explained during the legislative inquiry on Aug. 2; yet, Magalit indicated it may be included after reviewing for revision. He also mentioned that provincial routes do not yet have bike lanes.
The said legislative inquiry included the Committee on Laws, Rules and Ordinances, which is chaired by Hon. Apolinar C. Cleope with members Hon. Nemesio P. Neron and Hon. Jay E. Tejada. The Committee on Public Utilities, Transportation and Communications, were also part of the hearing with Hon. Bayani M. Cordova and Hon. Jupiter Aelred G. Gallenero as members and Solidum as chairman. The Committee on Disaster Preparedness and Peace and Order also took part with Neron as its chairman and members Gallenero and Solidum.