{"id":5469,"date":"2023-07-13T18:25:21","date_gmt":"2023-07-13T10:25:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/world.350.org\/philippines\/?p=5469"},"modified":"2023-07-13T19:57:46","modified_gmt":"2023-07-13T11:57:46","slug":"protected-bike-lanes-protect-us-all","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/world.350.org\/philippines\/protected-bike-lanes-protect-us-all\/","title":{"rendered":"Protected Bike Lanes Protect Us All"},"content":{"rendered":"

As the rest of Metro Manila are taking proactive steps in recognizing the role of active transport in their cities and municipalities, Ayala Land Inc has converted Ayala Avenue bike lanes into sharrows in Makati City. These sharrows will allow motor vehicles and bicycles to be in the same lane, putting not only cyclists’ safety at risk, but also the lives of all road users.<\/span><\/p>\n

Initiatives that prioritizes the safety for pedestrians and cyclists are much more needed in highly urbanized areas.\u00a0 Encouraging cities to assess the role of cycling in its transportation landscape by collecting data could provide valuable insights such as determining the areas in which there is the most cyclists, determining the volume of commuters and access to active transportation. This would enable the city to make informed decisions that centers on safety and promoting active transport<\/span><\/p>\n

Mobility advocates, individuals and organizations together with Make it Safer Movement have recently signed a petition to call out Makati City and condemn the systemic removal of protected bike lanes around the Philippines. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Metro Manila Bike Count, along EDSA Avenue on 2022 Photo: AC Dimatatac<\/p><\/div>\n

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By prioritizing active transport and inclusive mobility, cities can enhance accessibility, improve quality of life, and empower individuals to exercise their right to move freely within their communities.<\/p>\n

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350 Pilipinas stands in solidarity to Make it Safer Movement and all the petitioners as we call out Ayala Land Inc to prioritize the safety interventions for pedestrians and cyclists.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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We firmly believe that less cars and more provisions on policies and infrastructure for active transport and inclusive mobility means less emissions as road equity is part of climate justice and ensures freedom of movement as a fundamental right for everyone<\/strong><\/p>\n

AYALA IGNORES SAFETY OF COMMUTERS AND CYCLISTS<\/b><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

11 July 2023<\/span><\/p>\n

Although Ayala\u2019s public statements highlight its commitment to sustainability and people-oriented development, such promises prove false when measured by their recent actions: <\/span>The safety of commuters and cyclists in Makati Central Business District (CBD) is <\/b>not <\/i><\/b>Ayala\u2019s priority.<\/b><\/p>\n

Earlier this year, sustainable mobility advocates protested the planned conversion of Ayala Avenue bike lanes to sharrows (allowing motor vehicles and bicycles to mix in the same lane), which would endanger thousands of cyclists and commuters that traverse Ayala Avenue daily.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On February 24, Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) declared its commitment to work with the #MakeItSaferMakati community \u201cas <\/span>a model for collaboration between people, local government units, and developers in promoting bike- and commuter-friendly places and cities all around the Philippines<\/span>.\u201d <\/span>In a joint statement,<\/span> they agreed to maintain the protected bike lanes and to implement street design solutions through a technical working group (TWG).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span> There have been some developments: There is a good effort to close down Paseo de Roxas on weekends for Makati Street Meet. ALI has committed to buying more accessible bike racks in the future. <\/span>But these do not address the fundamental road safety issues in Ayala developments.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

After four months, things have gotten worse for safety<\/b>. ALI rejected the community’s\u00a0 proposed safety interventions. ALI even removed protected bike lanes in their neighboring development Bonifacio Global City while the TWG was still meeting. ALI did not honor their written commitment to study a full protected bike lane. ALI ignored the data and testimonies. ALI opposed transparency and the participation of key stakeholders. <\/b>The bike lanes are narrower, traffic enforcers remain hostile to cyclists and pedestrians, and more and more people are getting injured.<\/span> (See Annex for more information.)<\/span><\/p>\n

We entered the TWG in good faith \u2014 but Ayala\u2019s arbitrary decisions have placed thousands of vulnerable road users in Makati in more hazardous situations.<\/span> Ultimately, Ayala has proven one thing: <\/b>They do not prioritize our safety<\/b>. Ayala Corporation’s leadership is not living out the values they say they stand up for.<\/b><\/p>\n

Call to Action<\/b><\/p>\n

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  1. We call on the leadership of ALI to listen to the data and swiftly implement effective interventions in conflict zones already within its power and jurisdiction. <\/span>They must not wait for another injury or death before taking action.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. We call on Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay to work with ALI to implement high-quality walking and cycling infrastructure that <\/span>they and their own loved ones will feel safe using every day<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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    Protected Bike Lanes Protect Us All<\/b><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    A Unity Statement on the Systemic Removal of Protected Bike Lanes in the Philippines<\/span><\/p>\n

    We strongly condemn the systemic removal of protected bike lanes around the Philippines, which endangers not just the lives of cyclists, but the lives of all road users<\/b>. The most recent case is in the City of Makati which, in a massive step backward, will be removing their lauded protected bike lanes along Ayala Avenue in favor of shared lane markings by Wednesday, February 15.<\/span> The removal of what used to be the gold standard for protected bike lane width<\/span> has dashed the hopes of many road users for safer streets in our cities.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    We stand united as ordinary citizens, car owners, commuters, transport workers, cyclists, electric kick scooters and active mobility users, delivery workers, office workers, motorcycle riders, pedestrians, health care workers, persons with disabilities, senior citizens, women, parents, children, teachers, students, and business owners.<\/span><\/p>\n

    We refuse to be divided and pitted against each other. We want just one thing: to arrive at our destinations and come home safe. We want to have safer streets where any person can feel safe to walk, bike, go on a wheelchair, commute, and even drive safely.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    We need to exercise empathy with one another, so we can build a city that keeps us all safe.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n