Organizer told to meet city traffic conditions

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City government has required the organizer of the Earth Hour Night Ride, a mass bike riding activity in observance of Earth Day, to comply with measures set by the traffic group to ensure the safety of both participants and pedestrians.

City Traffic Operations Management Operations chief Joy Tumulak said the city has required Habagat Outdoor Equipment to deploy 52 marshals with reflectorized vests at at 26 intersections and to coordinate with barangay officials and tanods, as well as with the Philippine National Police.

“Gusto lang namo ma-ensure ang safety sa tanan participants and pedestrians. Please observe traffic laws. Kun dunay instruction ang marshal atong i-follow,” Tumulak said.

If these conditions will not be met, Mayor Michael Rama said activity cannot push through.

“I will not let them proceed. Magkiat lang nya sila unya kuwang sa preparation and we can’t afford naay madasmagan ug madisgrasya. They should comply whatever CITOM, PNP and the barangay want them to do,” Rama said.

Habagat has until today to comply with the conditions. It has organized the activity for the past four years.

Tumulak said Habagat assured compliance to the conditions.

The Habagat Earth Hour Night Ride will cover a 10-kilometer route starting at 8 p.m. The ride will kick off at the Cebu IT Park then proceed to Salinas Drive, Gorordo Ave., Escario St., Osmeña Blvd., P. del Rosario St., New Imus Road, Gen. Maxilom Ave., back to Gorordo, Cardinal Rosales Ave., Pope John Paul II Ave., back to Salinas Drive passing TESDA to Jose Maria del Mar St and then to the I.T. Park.

The roads that will be affected will not be closed to traffic because participants will utilize only the inner lane, Tumulak assured.

At least 4,000 cyclists, environmental advocates and supporters have signed up for the event, so far, but organizers expect the number to increase by 1,000.

The Night Ride started in Cebu in 2009 with the Road Revolution Cebu spearheaded by environmental lawyer Tony Oposa to bring about changes in the use of road systems by clearing sidewalks for pedestrians, providing bike lanes; implementing a mass transit system with a renewable energy source; and creating an edible green garden along major thoroughfares.

Earth Hour is a worldwide movement organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).

According to earthhour.org, the activity started as a lights-off event in Sydney, Australia, in 2007, which eventually grew to engage at least 162 countries and territories worldwide.

In line with the Earth Hour, the city government and Smart Communications will install bike racks at the Plaza Sugbo grounds this afternoon.

This is to comply with the Sugbo Bike Lanes Ordinance, which aims to establish shared priority lanes or zones where priority is given to bikes and other human-powered vehicles. — Kristine B. Quintas/JMO (FREEMAN)