Mandaue defers implementation of bicycle ordinance

CEBU, Philippines — The Mandaue City government has deferred the enforcement of the bicycle ordinance.

This was confirmed yesterday by City Councilor Jimmy Lumapas, the principal author of the City Ordinance No. 15-2020-1582 or the Comprehensive Bicycle Ordinance of 2020.

Lumapas said it was deferred to give Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (TEAM), the city’s traffic arm, more time to educate the public on the bicycle ordinance.

He said he will talk to the head of TEAM to discuss about the deferment and the implementation.

TEAM started the information drive on the said ordinance four days ago and was supposed to enforce it beginning next week.

 The ordinance provides a peanlty of P50 for cyclists caught without helmet, reflectorized vest or any bright colored t-shirt, and front and rear reflector or blinker.

 While a fine of P100 shall be imposed on cyclists caught counter-flowing, backriding, overloading, driving outside the designated bike lanes and  those without brakes.

 Pending talks with TEAM, Lumapas said TEAM will continue educating and informing the public, especially the cyclists, about the said ordinance.

 “Akong nahibaw-an, nag educate pa sila, wala pay dakop,” said Lumapas, the chairman of the council commitee on transportation.

Meanwhile, the Traffic Enforcement Unit of Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) has appealed to cyclists to impose discipline among themselves.

MCPO made the appeal after it noted increasing road accidents over the past months.

“Maka-cause gyud sya og aksidente kay kasagarang reklamo sa mga motorista dili lang sa four-wheeled (vehicles),na ang mga bike diri na mag-occupy sa mga center lane,”said Police Lieutenant Colonel Franco Oriol, chief of Mandaue City Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU).

“Pila na ka aksidente sa Mandaue involving a motorcycle and bicycle, kay tungod anang mudiretso lang og labang,” he added.

He said some cyclists are not even using the bike lanes intended for them.

“Adto gyud sila agi sa lanes na di para sa ila, resulting in accidents,” he said.

Just for this month, the Mandaue TEU recorded three road accidents involving bicycles. — Iris Hazel Mascardo, KQD (FREEMAN)