Cyclists led by the Firefly Brigade ride along car-free roads on Sundays, including Emerald Avenue in Pasig City, a portion of Mayflower Street in Mandaluyong City, Ayala Avenue in Makati City, and a section of Roxas Boulevard in Manila in observance of World Car-Free Day on September 22, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA — Mobility advocates urged the Department of Transportation (DOTr), other relevant agencies, and lawmakers on Wednesday to increase the budget for active transport in the country amid the growing demand for bike lanes, even after the pandemic era biking boom.

Based on the 2024 Bilang Bisikleta Nationwide Bike Count conducted by the convenors of the Mobility Awards in June, 271,555 people were on bicycles during peak hours at 138 locations across 18 local government units (LGU).

This represents a 7.2 percent jump across 15 cities compared to last year's manual count.

Relative to 2023 data, the latest bike count showed a notable increase in the number of people on bicycles counted in areas where bike lanes were established during COVID, particularly in Metro Manila, which saw a 103.7% growth from last year's count, and Metro Cebu.

Zeroing in on the capital region, Quezon City was among those that recorded a significant rise in ridership, with a daily average of 21,647 people on bicycles during the survey period, which the group attributes to improvements and the expansion of cycling infrastructure.

READ: QC commemorates 85th founding anniversary with bike trail event

"Ginagamit ng mga Pilipino yung mga bike lanes na itinayo ng ating national government agencies which should encourage our DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways), DOTr, in particular, to ensure na merong pondo at the national level in building more bike lanes and improving our existing bike lane networks," said Mobility Awards Co-Convenor Aldrin Pelicano.

Pelicano also pointed out that the 271,555 bike count means 271,555 fewer cars and motorcycles on the road— helping to ease traffic congestion.

"Every day, we see and experience congestion on our roads which in turn affects the quality of our lives. We are reporting to office, lagi tayong nale-late or we spend too much time in our cars or in our public transport networks. Based doon sa nakuha nating figure, and this is on the average, we have avoided almost 75,000 cars or motor vehicles on our roads," he said.

The study cited some economic and environmental benefits as well, saying that based on the 271,555 bike count, people using bicycles potentially saved P348,929 to P727,714 in fuel costs per kilometer, and avoided 25.32 metric tons of CO2 emissions.

The DOTr Active Transport Project Office also welcomed the results of the survey, saying it will use the data to convince decision makers about the need to build more bike lanes and walkways.

"One of the first things that you will hear (from them) ay wala namang nagba-bike or konti lang naman yung nagba-bike, bakit ka maglalagay ng infrastructure? Hindi yata nila naiintindihan na for the people or road users to shift, to start biking, kailangan meron silang dadaanan. You have to increase the supply for demand to come," said Project Manager Eldon Dionisio.

SLASHED BUDGET

But Dionisio said the agency's efforts are also limited by cuts to its budget.

From its P1 billion active transport budget this 2024, it initially proposed a higher budget of P2.5 billion for next year.

However, that was slashed to P60 million in the National Expenditure Program prepared by the budget department. The House of Representatives also kept it at P60 million, though Dionisio said they will try to appeal with the Senate during Thursday's plenary session.

READ: More Filipinos believe government is mishandling transport issues -- poll

"Definitely, yung budget slice will reduce the coverage of the projects… Ang tinitignan namin, dahil it's quite a small amount, ay upgrading and maintenance of an existing bike lane section or active transport infrastructure. Mabibitin yung network (kung expansion)," he said.

"But okay lang kasi inuubos pa rin namin yung funds from the previous year," added Dionisio.

Dionisio said budget cuts also impact the DOTr's ability to enforce traffic rules in these bike lanes amid complaints that they are still being used by motorcycles and four-wheeled vehicles.

"Kulang talaga kami ng personnel so we cannot cover all bike lane sections with a traffic enforcer. That is why we are trying to improve and upgrade the bike lanes. As much as possible nilalagyan natin sila ng physical barriers," he said.

The Move As One Coalition also called on the Senate and the subsequent Bicameral Conference Committee to fund projects for cyclists and pedestrians.

"Ang (budget) proposal namin sa Move As One ay halos P22 billion. Bakit? Ang active transport kailangan mataas ang budget niya, kailangan may sapat na budget dito kasi hindi lang siya pandemic solution e," said Alyssa Belda, the group's Secretary General.

"Instead na mag-regress tayo sa nagawa nating progress, kailangan nating mag-build on it. Kailangan nating palakasin pa ang ating active transport infrastructure para makabenefit sa lahat, sa nakararami," she added.