JV Ejercito bikes to work, advocates for ‘pop-up bicycle lanes,’ emergency pathways
July 26, 2022
Following the opening of the 19th Congress,
Senator Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito biked to work on Tuesday to
promote "healthy and economical" modes of transportation.
The Senator tweeted a photo of himself and his
bike in front of the Senate Building in Pasay City.
An advocate of alternative transportation and
cyclist safety, Ejercito recently filed Senate Bill No. 393, which seeks to
establish a network of pop-up bicycle lanes and emergency pathways to promote
safe alternative mobility.
"This legislation is one way to help
unburden commuters who are choosing to ride their bicycles and other
non-motorized vehicles in order to escape the worsening traffic and save money
on fares and fuel, most especially now that prices of petroleum products have
skyrocketed," the bill’s explanatory note read.
Ejercito said more Filipinos have turned to
biking as “commuting has become more difficult” due to lack of efficient public
transportation and worsening traffic in Metro Manila and nearby provinces and
cities.
Even with the relaxation of community
quarantine, the Senator said “many have traded public transportation by riding
their bicycles and scooters.”
“In this legislation, the DOTr, DPWH, and with
the help of the LGUs, will be responsible for the creation and proper
implementation of this measure. On the other hand, bicycle and all other
non-motorized vehicle riders are required to follow traffic rules and laws to
promote the safety of everyone in the roads,” he added.
