City councilor defers proposed ordinance limiting bike speeds

By Joseph B.A. Marzan

A member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Iloilo City on Wednesday deferred his proposed ordinance, which aims to limit the speeds of bicycles traversing dedicated paths and public parks for unknown reasons.

Councilor Johnny Young’s proposed ordinance setting bicycle speed limits in all esplanades and public parks which allow them was to be read during the regular session on April 13.

But the acting Floor Leader Rex Marcus Sarabia announced that it was deferred for undisclosed reasons.

Daily Guardian was able to obtain a copy of the proposed ordinance, which set the speed to 10 kilometers per hour, with a fine of ₱250 if caught by the Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO) personnel.

Failure to pay the fine would warrant the appropriate case to be filed by the City Legal Office against the offending cyclist.

For minor offenders, they would be brought to the nearest Barangay Hall, where their parents or guardians would be summoned, to pay the said fine.

If neither parent nor guardian makes an appearance, the minor offender would be turned over to the custody of the City Social Welfare and Development Office.

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas, who serves as chairperson of the city’s Bike Council, confirmed to media via Viber that he was not consulted on the matter.

Some stakeholders also sounded alarm over the proposed ordinance, sharing negative views of it.

Biker Oscar Nava said that the ordinance would ultimately “discourage people from cycling”, in the city which is aiming to be the country’s “bike capital”.

“This proposed ordinance will discourage people from cycling. It’s also impossible to enforce and most likely will be a waste of time and energy but I know where this is coming from and we just want the best esplanade experience for all users,” said Nava via a Facebook comment in a public bikers’ group.

Nava also made four suggestions, instead of the proposed ordinance:

– Gather data, find out if there are conflict areas along the esplanade;

– Place traffic calming measures if needed;

– Traffic Marshalls during peak hours; and

– Education campaign.

William Garcia, who also owns a bike shop along La Paz district, told Daily Guardian that the city government should focus on solving more pressing transportation-related issues.

“What is the reason that they are pushing for it? They must have the data to say why they are pushing. They have to focus on over-speeding motorists because bikers and pedestrians are more vulnerable there,” he said.

“For me, there haven’t been any cases of collisions at the Esplanade, so an ordinance is unnecessary. They also need to focus more on littering [there],” he added.

Daily Guardian has reached out to Young, but he has yet to respond as of this writing.