Tolentino thanks IATF for allowing use of bicycles

With public utility vehicles still out in various parts of the country due to the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), administration Senator Francis "Tol" Tolentino expressed full support for the use of bicycle as mode of transportation.

During a hearing of the Senate Committee on Public Services, Tolentino reiterated his earlier proposal to use bicycle with the absence of public transportation due to the prevailing MECQ amid the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

The IAFT in a resolution dated May 15, 2020 also allowed the use of bicycles and other non-motorized mode of transportation, since it complies with social distancing requirements as a one passenger vehicle.

Tolentino called on the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to strongly push the use of one-passenger vehicles like bicycle as a form of transportation. The senator also urged the DOTr to allow bicycles to traverse bigger roads and not just secondary roads.

"I am a strong advocate of biking as a form of transportation, not just for exercise," said Tolentino, who established bicycle lanes along EDSA during his term as MMDA chairman. Currently, the cities of Cebu and Mandaue are under ECQ while Metro Manila, Laguna, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Zambales, Pampanga and Angeles City are under MECQ.

The rest of the country will remain under general community quarantine. "Under the new normal, public transport will operate at half its capacity so we need other modes of transportation, like bicycles," said Tolentino.

Tolentino said progressive metropolitan areas in various parts of the world have bicycle lanes to lower their carbon footprint, reduce pollution and promote healthy lifestyle.

DOTr supported Tolentino's proposal and said that talks with authorities is underway "We are in talks with the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Department of Interior and Local Government for the passageways of our bicycles," DOTr Usec Mark Lopez said.