Over 500 apprehended for bike lane violations

CEBU, Philippines — Newly-hired personnel of Cebu City's Sugbo Bike Lanes Board (SBLB) has already apprehended over 500 traffic violators in less than 15 days.

The Freeman learned that City’s Bike Lanes Board lost most of their personnel also known as bike patrollers when Mayor Mike Rama ordered a ‘right-sizing’ at the City Hall that put a stop to the SBLB to carry out apprehensions on traffic violators.

Those that were taken out from SBLB though were eventually absorbed by the Cebu City Transportation Office/Road Management Authority, according to SBLB’s Executive Director Bernard Maraasin.

Now, SBLB has been given back the go signal to hire personnel anew.

Currently, they have 18 new bike patrollers that have already completed their training with CCTO and have been deputized by the latter. As such, they are already allowed to apprehend traffic violators.

Since July 15 to 25, 2024, there have already been 536 motorists apprehended with various traffic violations.

Majority of those that were apprehended are taxi and jeepney drivers that were parking along the city’s bike lanes, “No Stopping Anytime” and “No Parking Anytime” signs.

“Daghan gyud sa atong mga dakpan, ilabi ning mga nagdrive og taxi ug jeepney, nga dili mopatoo bisan og gi-warningan na,” Rex Raven Ulila said through the City’s Sugbuanon channel.

Some jeepney drivers were also apprehended for travelling outside their designated travel line and for parking along bike lanes.

Aside from that, there were also riders issued citation tickets to motorcycle drivers and their passengers that were not wearing safety helmets while some were penalized for failure to provide a driver’s license and vehicle registration.

SBLB emphasized that they are not only focused against bike lane violators, but also other traffic violators after the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) deputized them.

“Giklaro sa CCTO nga dili ra bike lanes atong gi-focusan,” Ulla added.

With SBLB now having more personnel, SBLB’s Maraasin reminds motorists to follow traffic rules all the time while warning them that their office is serious in its mission to enforce traffic laws and make the city’s streets safe for all. (CEBU NEWS)