Laguna Lake Highway opens first national highway bike lane in the country to the public

FILE: “Tara na at magbisikleta tayo! Bukas na po ang bicycle lanes sa Laguna Lake Highway sa Taguig. Sugod na mga ka-tropa. #BuildBuildBuild” (Photo: Mark Villar/Facebook)

Public Works Secretary Mark Villar and Taguig City officials celebrated the three-meter-wide lane last Thursday, February 7, Villar sharing, “It is our priority to build safe roads and bridges that will also cater to bikers and pedestrians, hence the inclusion of protected bike lanes and sidewalk spaces in our new project.”

He elaborated in Filipino, “This is the first time in Metro Manila that there is an independent bike lane. Sometimes, what people do is they just add a barrier, but this is independent so it is more safe.”

The DPWH allocated P1.28 billion for the construction of the Laguna Lake Highway, which is formerly known as the C6 Dike Road from Lower Bicutan to Taytay, Rizal. The bike lane itself was part of the budget being 1.5 meters wide on both sides and was built elevated for convenience during flooding.

Laguna Lake Highway was first completed last November 2018 after two years of construction, spanning a total of 10.7km. Villar first made the announcement, saying, “We are happy to announce that this toll-free road will be able to cut travel time from Bicutan to Taytay and vice versa from an hour to just 30 minutes or less.”

He added, “The improved highway will ensure safety of motorists, bikers, pedestrians, as well as protection of residents from backflow of lakewater,” its elevation becoming a safe place of rescue as well for residents and vehicles during typhoons.

In terms of implementing a bike lane, Villar reports that they are eyeing other areas as well, like Intramuros, Bacolod, and Mindanao. In his words, “Major cities, all of that, if we have a workable area, we really want to add a bike lane.”