THE Department of Public Works and Highways has issued a policy prescribing the standard design of bicycle lanes along national highways, in an effort to meet the needs and safe access of bicyclists and other road users.
DPWH Secretary Mark A. Villar issued Department Order No. 88, series of 2020, which mandates that new national road and bridge construction or future expansion of projects shall incorporate a bicycle facility contingent on prevailing road and traffic conditions, but will have no less than 2.44 meters of bicycle path width.
“From now onwards, design of new national roads and bridges will have a minimum width of 2.44-meter bike lane feature for one direction. The desirable width of three meters is set for a 2-directional separated bike lane, unless under constrained condition which will follow the absolute minimum of 2.44 meters. This policy also covers road/bridge widening, diversion/bypass roads among others,” he said.
Villar has long been advocating to include bike lanes in DPWH projects.
“With bike-friendly infrastructure, we aim to promote road safety to all and encourage the public to consider biking as a safe mode of transportation beneficial to their physical health, the environment through reduced greenhouse gas emissions and noise pollution, to traffic, and to public roads that render less wear and tear,” he said.
The DPWH chief said future bicycle lane projects will be classified as Class 1 which is a designated protected path that is completely separated from motor-vehicle roadway by an open space with side walk; Class 2 which is a portion of a roadway designated for exclusive use of bicycle and is separated from the motor-vehicle roadway through pavement marking or physical separation; and Class 3 which is part of a roadway that has been officially designated and marked as bicycle route but can also be used by motor vehicle due to limited carriageway width.
Under the guidelines, class, width and directional criteria for the construction of new bike lane will be established based on motor vehicle volume and operating speed, available road, shoulder and sidewalk space, lane configuration, bicycle demand and other driveway and parking conflict.
Class 3 Bicycle Lane or the shared roadway is recommended for roads operating with the lowest speed and traffic volume; separated bike lane using pavement marking under Class 2 is for low speed to low to moderate traffic volume; and separated bike lane using physical separation under Class 2 or shared use path under Class 1 is for moderate to high speed and high traffic volume.
Detailed guideline information and exemptions of DO 88 are available online at www.dpwh.gov.ph.
