National News

Billy Begas

December 10, 2020

Rep. Villar Files Bike Bill

Photo Credit: Camille Villar Official Facebook Page
Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar has filed a measure seeking to provide a framework for a bicycle law on a national level.

Villar said bicycle riding not only promotes health and leisure but also provides an alternative solution to high fuel prices, increasing transport fares, traffic management, air and noise pollution, and the high cost of motorized vehicles including maintenance and parking fees.

She explained that, in 1968, the United Nations held a conference in Vienna to update the international standards for road traffic rules. This resulted in the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic treaty.

The Philippines was among the nations that signed the treaty.

“As a contracting party, the Philippines is obligated to give bicycles equal and safe access to the road. Which means, when cyclists say ‘Share the road,’ we are not asking but rather reminding other road users of our right to the road,” said Villar in the explanatory note of House Bill 8156.

A number of cities have approved ordinances related to bicycle use, Marikina City being the first.

The following are included in the rights, duties and obligation of cyclists under the measure:

- Bikers have the right to travel on any public road or street provided that it has been designated as a bikeway except on highways or where signs specifically prohibiting bikes have been posted
- Bikers should know the right and left turn hand signals
- A cyclist must keep one hand on the handlebar at all times
- When riding at night, a bicycle must be equipped with reflective material or lighted lamp
- A cyclist must always wear a helmet with chin strap securely fastened
- No bicycle shall carry more persons than it was designed to carry
- A cyclist shall not cling on to another vehicle
- Bikes may not be parked in areas other than those specifically designated
- A cyclist shall not carry anything on the bicycle unless it is in a basket, bag, racks or trailers designed for that purpose
- A bike modification which raises the hand grips higher than the shoulders is not allowed

The bill was originally filed by Villar’s father, former Speaker and Senate President Manny Villar.

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