Palace to study bill on biking lanes

Malacañang is open to supporting a proposed legislation on establishing biking lanes and bike-friendly community to deal with weekly increases in fuel prices. But deputy presidential spokeswoman Abigail Valte said there are concerns about logistics to consider, adding it may not be a good idea to order government workers to bike to work during the summer season. “Maganda ang nilalayon ni Senator Santiago. May mga logistics that have to be dealt with, lalo magkakaroon yan ng construction. Titingnan natin ang daan na magkakaroon ng bike lane," she said on government-run dzRB radio. (The suggestion of Sen. Miriam Santiago is a good one. But there are concerns about logistics to be studied, especially if these involve the construction of bike lanes. We’ll see what Santiago’s bill says.) Santiago’s Senate Bill 2789 mandates the Department of Transportation and Communications to set up safe biking programs with bicycle lanes, parking and support facilities. The proposed measure also requires government offices, major business establishments and public places to set up bicycle racks for bicycle parking. Santiago noted that cycling is a good way to exercise and relieve stress, and that unlike cars, bicycles do not produce air or noise pollution and do not consume fossil fuels and reduce traffic congestion. Valte, however, said it may not be a good idea at this time to order government workers to bike to work, especially during the hot summer. “Tingnan muna natin, parang nakikita kasi baka ang iba may kaunting reklamo pero makatulong sa kalikasan at pagbabawas ng budget. Tingnan natin ang pwede gawin baka may umalma lalo ngayon tag-araw," she said. (We’ll study this. It may help the environment, but some may complain because it is summer.) She also said she has yet to ask President Benigno Aquino III, who had received a bike as a gift last Christmas, if he would be willing to be a poster boy for biking. “Tanungin ko kung papayag siya (I’ll ask him if he wants to be a poster boy)," she said. - KBK, GMA News