As the Quezon City government plans out more bike-friendly road infrastructures, a new ordinance approved by Mayor Joy Belmonte seeks to make helmet-wearing a must for the pedaling public.
[READ: More space for bikers: QC gov’t plans to extend city’s bike lane to 161km]“Ngayong bahagi na ng new normal ang pagbibisikleta, nais nating gawing mas ligtas ang aktibidad na ito para sa mga dumadaan sa ating lungsod,” Belmonte said.
Helmets are already required under an existing Road Safety Ordinance—which Belmonte pushed for during her term as Vice Mayor in 2017—but through Ordinance No. SP-2942, not wearing one can cost a biker P1,000 for first offense, P3,000 for second offense, and P5,000 for third offense.
QC’s Department of Public Order and Safety will be strictly enforcing the ordinance, said the LGU through a statement.
As part of the city’s short-term bike lane project that aims to make its roads safe for people who have recently shifted to this mode of transportation, QC LGU plans to improve and repair existing bike lanes and place temporary and semi-permanent traffic separation devices.
“New bike lane routes have also been identified to improve route connectivity while route signages and bike parking areas will also be included in the network,” the statement read.
In the long term, the city government plans to integrate permanent bike lanes in the planned bus system routes and pedestrian network.
Header image by Niño Jesus Orbeta/Philippine Daily Inquirer
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