Bike friendly zone in Bacolod mulled
BACOLOD CITY -- Sangguniang Panglungsod Member Wilson Gamboa Jr. along with Councilor Jocelle-Batapa-Sigue yesterday passed on first reading an ordinance establishing bike lanes or bike friendly zone along Burgos Street corner circumferential road up to Brgy. Alangilan and Bacolod-Murcia, Brgy. Alijis up to Paglaum Village, Brgy. Mansilingan and providing funds thereof.
According to the proposed ordinance, the proponent believes that there is a need to provide bike lanes or bike friendly zone and signages for the safety of the bikers against reckless drivers.
This ordinance was drafted after a fatal accident last November 5, 2008 at 7:45 a.m. involving biker Benjamin Morana who was hit by a car while riding his bicycle.
Councilors Gamboa and Batapa-Sigue acted on the request made thru multi-media by GO Bike Pilipinas 2008 for the establishment of bike lanes or bike friendly zones in particular areas of Bacolod City.
Gamboa, chairman of the committee on transportation, also directed the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office, Traffic Technical and Engineering Division to make a feasibility study of the said request and submit within 10 days its recommendations to the Sangguniang Panglungsod.
Batapa-Sigue said that it is the advocacy of GO Pilipinas to prevent rising epidemic of obesity, diabetes and other lifestyle diseases such as bad cholesterol and triglyceride levels that can lead to heart disease, hypertension, and osteoporosis, through proper diet and exercises like biking among others.
Gamboa said that biking is also being promoted as an alternative cheaper mode of transportation applicable to our environment, and as an alternative to the rising fuel prices.