Cyclists clamor for safer, inclusive roads in Manila

CYCLISTS IN Manila urged the local government to improve the city’s accessibility for bicycle commuters amid concerns about the effectiveness of bike lanes and their safety on shared roads.  

Bicycle commuters observed that the local government’s lenient enforcement of traffic laws in shared lanes puts cyclists at greater risk and prevents motorists from being held fully accountable for unsafe behavior. 

“Minsan nakakabangga [ang mga kotse],” Antonio Miranda Jr., 25, said. “Naaksidente na po. Parehas kami [ng] pamangkin ko… Sugatan ng kaunti… Wala, binigyan lang kami ng P500 [ng driver].” 

More commuters across the city have started to consider biking as a commuting option. Bilang Siklista, a volunteer bicycle count project by Mobility Awards, recorded 4,448 cyclists in six highly congested locations in Manila in 2024.  

Some bicycle commuters, however, hesitate about traveling on the streets of Manila, leading to questions about the city’s active mobility programs before the end of the Road Safety Month. 

“Una, kulang siya. Pangalawa, mostly paint ang bike lanes natin. Paano mo maeengganyo ‘yung mga tao na magbisikleta kung hindi siya connected, hindi siya protected, [at] hindi siya safe?” Janardan das Ladyong told The Capital in an interview. 

Ladyong, 37, is a content creator who currently has 63,000 followers on Facebook under the name “Manila Bike Commuter.” He posts short clips on bicycle commuting, joins advocacy groups on cycling, and speaks out on issues on the safety and accessibility of commuting using bikes. 

In June 2024, volunteers part of the Bilang Siklista project observed no bicycle lanes in Quirino and Lacson Avenues. Another portion of Lacson Avenue, meanwhile, had bike lanes obstructed by parked vehicles. 

Bilang Siklista also reported that their volunteers noticed that traffic enforcers at the intersection of Vito Cruz and Taft Avenues prioritized vehicles over cyclists and pedestrians. 

The Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) recorded 65 bike-related road accidents from January 2024 to May 2025. 

Road traffic collisions and loss of control of vehicles were reported as top causes of bicycle accidents in the city, Manila DRRMO data showed. 

Improving the city’s mobility 

Ladyong expressed skepticism regarding the future of the Active Transport Program---the Department of Transportation’s initiative that would prioritize walking, cycling, e-biking, and other commuting via non-motorized transportation means---under Manila Mayor-elect Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, who had previously been against bike lanes in the city for the protection of commuters. 

In 2020, Domagoso wrote an opinion piece for Manila Bulletin, saying that the city was “not ready” to open bike lanes given the "hazards they will be facing [on the city’s roads].” 

“Kung gusto mo talaga maging safe ‘yung commuters, especially bike commuters, hindi ba dapat mas gawin mong protected, mas gawin mong safe?” Ladyong said. 

Ladyong credited outgoing Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan, who signed Ordinance No. 9047, or the Move Manila Program, which opened Roxas Boulevard to cyclists every Sunday as partly car-free, but still thinks the former administration lacked active transportation developments.  

“So far, ‘yun lang ‘yung naging development sa Manila [during former mayor Lacuna’s term] when it comes to active transportation,” he said. 

Vince Zabat, a 19-year-old cyclist, hoped for enhancements to local legislation aimed at ensuring that cyclists wear appropriate safety gear and preventing vehicles from obstructing bike lanes. 

“Ang pwede lang natin ma-improve din is ‘yung law na... bawal daanan yung bike lane or such like that, tapos kailangan din natin i-improve ‘yung safety din ng mga biker,” Zabat said. 

Ladyong added that the city government of Manila can look into other local governments to emulate improvements for accessible and effective bike lanes. These progressions include consultations with bike commuters and a more just implementation of road laws. 

“They’re (Quezon City) continuously improving their active transport networks. I go to their monthly consultation, kahit na hindi naman ako taga Quezon City, pero kasi regular akong pumupunta roon… Tuloy-tuloy nilang inaayos ang active networks,” he said. 

“Hindi nga natin kailangang tumingin sa ibang bansa. Sa Subic lang, nasusunod ‘yung mga rules, nahuhuli ‘yung mga violators,” the biker added.