GenSan's bike enthusiasts urge creation of bicycle lanesGENERAL SANTOS CITY (PNA) – Bicycle enthusiasts here are set to launch a signature drive to back up proposed moves for the establishment of bicycle lanes in major streets and other arteries leading to various key areas in the city.
Fr. Giovanni Ongcog, biking enthusiast and parish priest of the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage here, said at least five local biker’s associations and bicycle clubs have agreed to lead a signature campaign in a bid to convince the city government to establish bicycle lanes and include them in the city’s traffic and road system.
He said such move is also part of their efforts to promote advocacy on the use of bicycles as an alternative transport means for health and environmental reasons.
“We need to have our own bicycle lanes to ensure the safety of bike riders and make sure that they will not disrupt the normal traffic,” he said.
The priest said they will initially come up with a proposal that will specifically lay out the proposed establishment of the bicycle lanes and convey their calls to make the city a bike-friendly locality.
He said they will later submit the manifesto, along with their bicycle lane proposal and gathered signatures, to the city council here for consideration and the enactment of the necessary legislation.
“We’re hoping our city officials will consider this proposal so we can also freely use our preferred means of transport,” he said.
Jan Ced, president of the General Santos City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, initially expressed support to the proposed designation of bicycle lanes along the city’s thoroughfares and the promotion of bicycles as an alternative means of transportation.
He said such move will help regulate the flow of traffic within the city and decongest traffic in some busy streets and routes.
Ced cited that it would also help reduce pollution from motorized vehicles and promote a cleaner environment for local residents as well as tourists and prospective investors.
“I think it’s time for us to revisit our traffic policies and come up with a comprehensive traffic management system that will include other alternative means of transport (like bicycles),” he added.(PNA)
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