DOTr builds 76-kilometer bike lane with routes from Batangas to Rizal
Attention, cyclists! Here's an incoming route to add to your biking bucket list.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has unveiled its plan to build 76.70 kilometers of Class 2 and 3 bike lanes that will allow cyclists to travel from Batangas to Rizal and vice versa.
The agency held its ground-breaking ceremony on Monday, Sept. 11, in Lipa, Batangas. This initiative is part of the expansion of DOTr's Active Transport Infrastructure Improvement Program, which aims to build 2,400 kilometers of protected bike lanes by 2028.
The said lanes will be specifically built in Lipa and Batangas City, as well as Antipolo, Cainta, and San Mateo in Rizal. They are targeted to be finished by the first quarter of 2024.
During the ground-breaking ceremony, DOTr secretary Jaime Bautista highlighted the health and environmental benefits of biking, noting that the project will “mark the start of a new era for sustainable and seamless active transport in Region IV-A.”
Meanwhile, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Asst. Regional Director Isidro Encarnacion said: “The bike lane will promote a healthier and more active lifestyle for our citizens. It will encourage more people to choose cycling as a mode of transportation, improving their physical and mental well-being,” adding that the infrastructure investment will “[foster] a culture of fitness and vitality.”
For your guidance, the bike lanes are divided into three classifications: Class 1 is dedicated solely to cyclists but can be shared with pedestrians. On the other hand, Class 2 is classified as a separated bike lane distinguished by a paint stripe, curb, or barrier, while Class 3 is a shared roadway which can be shared with motor vehicles.
