The Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) Party-list says it will oppose any moves for the mandatory registration of bicycles in the 19th Congress.
“We will fight for the right of the public to freely own bicycles, electric kick scooters, and other non-motorized forms of transport,” PBA Party-list spokesperson Atty. Migs Nograles said.
Nograles said they oppose bicycle registration because the added bureaucratic process will discourage people from using bicycles, either as means of transportation or a form of exercise.
“We will make it a policy of the state that ownership and operation of these alternative modes of transportation should not require any further requirements, including registration and issuances of plate numbers for bicycles, electric kick scooters, and other personal mobility devices,” she stressed.
Nograles previously said the PBA Party-list will refile the proposed Bicycle Act in the 19th Congress should it win in the May 2022 elections, as she underscored the importance of cycling as a means of transportation in a post-COVID new normal.
“I would like to emphasize that unlike some versions of similar proposed legislation, nowhere in our version of the Bicycle Act does it state that registration of bicycles would be made mandatory,” the Davaoeña lawyer said.
Nograles said they oppose bicycle registration because the added bureaucratic process will discourage people from using bicycles, either as means of transportation or a form of exercise.
“Leisure cycling is a healthy, fun, and a low-impact form of exercise for all ages, and we want everyone who wants to cycle to be able to do so without going through bureaucratic hurdles,” she said.
The PBA Party-list’s Bicycle Act mandates the creation of bicycle lanes or bikeways on all main roads and highways, to be identified by an office to be created under the same bill, the Local Bikeways Office.
“With that being said, however, owners and operators must abide by traffic laws, such as staying on the bike lanes where available or pedestrian lanes where permitted,” she added.
The PBA Party-list’s Bicycle Act mandates the creation of bicycle lanes or bikeways on all main roads and highways, to be identified by an office to be created under the same bill, the Local Bikeways Office (LBO). The LBO will be under the supervision of the City or Municipal Engineering Office.
