More facilities for bikers eyed

CEBU, Philippines — The Sugbo Bike Lanes Board (SBLB) eyes more end-of-trip facilities (EOTF) for bikers in Cebu City.

The SBLB has initially installed EOTFs such as bike racks in some areas in the City, including public schools, plazas and even outside commercial establishments.

EOTF are amenities located in a centralized location that can be utilized by workers to bike to work. This facility includes a secured bicycle parking and storage facilities while others also have lockers and shower and change rooms and a repair stand.

The SBLB plans to add more EOTFs with the help of the Department of Transportation.

The DOTr, through the leadership of Transport Secretary Jaime Bautista earlier looked into increasing the EOTFs across the country as a way to encourage more people to bike as an alternative to commuting.

Some months before he resigned from the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Secretary Benhur Abalos also issued a memorandum encouraging local government units down to the barangays to establish shower rooms for their employees while the national government is working on a sustainable public and active transportation.

Abalos said that sustainable transportation plays a crucial role in the country's pursuit of economic growth and overall sustainable development while also mitigating the adverse environmental impacts associated with transportation.

To be able to achieve sustainable transportation, the national government is promoting active transportation by way of walking, biking, and other similar active transport.

However, for people to walk, bike, or even ride public transportation in going to their respective offices, they need accessible shower rooms to freshen up before reporting for work.

Local officials were also told to refer to the Design and Standards for Bicycle Parking Facilities/Amenities issued by the Department of Public Works and Highways in support of the DOH-DOTR-DILG-DPWH Joint Administrative Order No.2020-0013 specifically in the provision of toilets, showers, and changing facilities.

SBLB’s Executive Director Bernard Maraasin said they are looking at putting EOTF in selected barangays, especially those that have many workers that utilizes bike to work.

“It will be placed in selected barangays kay daghan naman gud tag mobisiklita sa mga barangay,” Maraasin said through the City’s Sugbuanon channel.

Maraasin said he also wants the EOTFs placed in the barangays in order to protect them from vandals and thieves. For this, the barangay captains will also be accountable.

Some organizations and offices have also put up their EOTFs in the form of bike repair stations to encourage their employees and other individuals to pursue biking, but these have been vandalized, Maraasin said.

“Based sa experience nato anang mga EOTFs, naay mga bike repair stations nga nagkamuritsing na. Ang uban gipangkawat ang bomba ug ilang tools kay wala may accountable person nga mobantay ana,” he added. — (FREEMAN)