DOTr to expand bike lane network to 2,400 km by 2028

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced that the country’s bike lane network will be stretched to a total of 2,400 kilometers by 2028. The agency is gearing up to do this since it is keen on supporting an active transport program that is said to be beneficial not just to cyclists but also to other road users. 

DOTr officials together with cyclists during the World Bicycle Day Celebration

This was announced by DOTr Active Program Management Office Policy Lead Patrick Santos during the World Bicycle Day celebration. According to Santos, “mainstreaming” the agency’s active transport campaign involves projects that seek to upgrade and expand the country’s current bike lanes and pedestrian walkway networks. He then said that there’s also a need for better public utility vehicle (PUV) stops, and end-of-trip (EoT) cycling facilities. 

To achieve the said plan, Santos shared that the agency already has several projects lined up for 2023. Examples include infrastructure projects in Quezon City, EDSA, and Intramuros in Manila.

For Quezon City, the government agency aims to create additional bike lanes on the Elliptical Road and Commonwealth Avenue. This plan was announced back in 2022. 

 DOTr Active Program Management Office Policy Lead Patrick Santos

The DOTr likewise began its Active Transport Project dry run on EDSA in January 2023. For this, the agency is looking to widen and improve bike lanes along the said road, particularly in Santolan, Ortigas, and Shaw. 

Active infrastructure plans for the Intramuros area, meanwhile, were rolled out back in March 2023. In total, the said area’s upcoming bike lanes will span 9.6 km and it will cover a number of roads like General Luna Street, Parts of Sta. Clara St., A. Soriano Ave., sections of Padre Burgos Ave., etc. A total of four PUV stop locations will also be established in Intramuros.  

These projects will benefit the bike-riding public

Other initiatives that align with the DOTr’s active transport goals include the MRT-7’s elevated turnback guideway, which makes room for walkways and bike lanes. New bridges like the Binondo-Intramuros Bridge and the Parklinks Bridge also have bike lanes as well. 

Santos says the 2028 plan will also expand the active transport infrastructure in nine regions. Among these are the 55 km bike lane in Davao City, the 129 km bike lane in Metro Cebu, the 20 km bike lane in Iloilo, the 5.58 km bike lane on the Laguna Lake Highway, etc. 

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