Of bicycle lanes and lack of political will

My article about cyclists becoming the new "King of the Road" got this comment from a faithful reader who once wrote me about an issue that I already have forgotten about, but I can't forget his name and the title he lives by -- Max the Retired Beach Bum. Anyway, here's his letter in full:

"Sir, I read with great interest your piece on cycling this morning. As an avid cyclist I would like to share my view with you on several issues. First, it would be a total waste of money to build "bike lanes" inside the city without first addressing the problems of jeepneys and taxis that operate as if they are emergency vehicles here in Cebu. Fixing this problem would actually be simple if there was a political will to do so.

My opinion is that the jeepney and taxi drivers would not respect the bike lanes and utilize them as they wish. I base this opinion from personal experience. Bike lanes might be ok farther north/south routes into the province but not inside the major city routes. I can't think of a single instance when I have ever witnessed a taxi or jeepney operator stopped for a traffic infraction here. Second, I agree with you on the need for cyclists to obey the rules of the road and especially with regard to traffic signals.

I often join in group rides with many local riders and I have observed that most "recreation" riders do in fact obey the rules of the road. I suspect that most of the earth day group riders also obey the laws but took an exception during this specific ride so as to maintain a "Pack" and stay together as a large group. Kind of a parade if you will. The organizers should have coordinated with CITOM perhaps to assist with this particular ride if that is the case.

Bike lanes are a wonderful "dream" for many of us but it's really not practical here at the present time. I do applaud one local bike club that recently petitioned for use of the sea wall road at SRP as that should give local enthusiasts an alternative venue to exercise. Great article and one that I am sure many cyclists will agree with you on. Warm Regards, Max… Retired Beach Bum."

Thanks for the comments, Sir Max. First of all, you are correct that one of the major problems in this country, mind you, not just here in Cebu City but throughout the country, is what to do with those lawless jeepney and taxi drivers who are always in "emergency mode" and you are also correct that the problem stems from lack of political will to solve the problem.

Let me clearly state that this "lack of political will" is the single biggest problem in this country today. Our political leaders are just too comfortable with the status quo because it has been a "profitable" 28 years since we supposedly got back our democracy through the EDSA revolt. But 28 years later, the poor remain poor, while the rich oligarchs are making it to the Forbes magazine's top richest men in the world!

But as a former chairman of CITOM, you are mistaken that jeepneys are not apprehended by our traffic enforcers. Many of them do get apprehended because to a traffic enforcer stopping a jeepney or taxi is an easier task than stopping a private vehicle whose occupant may have strong political connections, if you know what I mean. This is the sad story of the Philippines and as I have pointed out, not just here in Cebu.

This is why I've been asking for a change in systems in this country. It's been 28 years since the EDSA revolution and the only thing revolutionary that we hear of is that the political elite has been taking liberties in pocketing our tax money and stuffing it into their bank accounts as if it were their personal monies. Therefore it is incumbent upon all Filipinos to get rid of such political opportunists who demand respect and freebees from the people. Remember the Binay incident in Dasmariñas where they demanded to exit a gate in a private subdivision?

The political solution is a federal system of governance where in a federated state like Cebu can have its own traffic system and rules. What's stopping us from removing all the center islands of our national roads and give it to two-wheeled motorized or pedal vehicles? That reduces the tension between Jeepneys and taxis…but creates one for two wheelers. This can be done and if any four wheeled vehicle hits anyone in that reserve lane, it is their fault, and there's a big fine. It is as simple as that.

During my time, I did have a bicycle highway that I planned along the easement road right of way along the banks of the Guadalupe River which starts from the back of the Guadalupe Church all the way to the sea in Ermita. Alas, this was my plan and not the plan of the powers-that-be, so perhaps because of jealousy it was never implemented. Hopefully, someday we'd sit with you for a cup of coffee and I'll explain the whole plan to you. Thanks again for your comments and keep on riding!

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