Republic of the Philippines

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

DILG-NAPOLCOM Center, EDSA corner Quezon Avenue, West Triangle, Quezon City
http://www.dilg.gov.ph

MEMORANDUM
CIRCULAR NO.

TO: ALL PROVINCIAL GOVERNORS, CITY MAYORS, MUNICIPAL

MAYORS, HEADS OF LOCAL SANGGUNIANS, PUNONG BARAGAYS,
CHIEF, PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE, DILG REGIONAL
DIRECTORS, THE BARMM MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT, AND
ALL OTHERS CONCERNED.

SUBJECT: GUIDELINES FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NETWORK OF CYCLING

LANES AND WALKING PATHS TO SUPPORT PEOPLE’S MOBILITY

1. Background

The National Transport Policy of the National Economic and Development Authority
(NEDA) encourages local government units (LGUs) to accord highest priority to the
development of proper sidewalks and networks of bicycle lanes to promote a more
sustainable and inclusive transport system that encourages active transport, and
provides safe and direct access to priority services. Through careful planning and
adoption of appropriate strategies, the shift of mobility mode to walking and cycling
may significantly decrease the vehicular volume, minimize traffic congestions in major
roads and highways, and improve urban air quality levels through reduced transport
emissions.

As the country prepares for its transition to the “New Normal” amid the Covid-19
pandemic, the stringent social distancing protocols required to maintain safe public
transportation system will limit its current capacity. The use of bicycles and walking
have been promoted as essential and safer modes of transport as this allows physical
distancing and provides the needed mobility for citizens to proceed with their daily
activities.

With the foregoing mandate of the LGUs under Republic Act (R.A.) No. 7160 to
exercise its powers to promote health and safety and preserve the comfort and
convenient of its inhabitants, as well as the existing guidelines issued by the Inter-
agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID)
and other national government agencies, the LGUs shall implement the establishment
of a network of cycling lanes and walking paths to support people’s mobility in their
respective localities.

2. Purpose

This Memorandum Circular is issued provide guidelines to all concerned in undertaking

necessary actions in the establishment of a network of cycling lanes and walking paths.

3. Definition of Terms

a. Active Transport refers to non-motorized means of travel, including walking or

use of bicycles, skateboards, or scooters;
 b. Cycling Lane refers to a road, street, or path where private motorized transport
is not allowed in order to ensure the safety of bicycle users or those using light
mobility transport;

c. Light Mobility refers to travel using electronic or non-motorized vehicles

weighing not more than 100 kg;

d. Local Roads refer to Provincial, City/Municipal, and Barangay Roads:

• Provincial Roads: Connect cities and municipalities without traversing

national roads; connect national roads to barangays through rural
areas; and connect to major provincial government infrastructures.

• City/Municipal Roads: Roads within the Poblacion, roads, roads

connect to provincial and national roads; roads that provide inter-
barangay connections to major municipal and city infrastructure
without traversing provincial roads.

• Barangay Roads: Other public roads (officially turned over to the LGU)
within the barangay and not covered in the above definitions;

e. Pedestrian refers to a person who uses the shared paths or sidewalks;

f. Walking Paths refer to pathways which can be used by pedestrians such as

sidewalks;

g. Motorized Transport refers to motorized vehicles weighing more than 100 kg.

4. Policy Content and Guidelines

4.1. Review of the Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP). The LGUs shall revisit
existing transportation plans, such as, but not limited to: the local public transport
route plan, comprehensive land use plan, and comprehensive development plan, to
review provisions, and source-out data and information related to the subject. It is
encouraged that LGUs improve on their existing LPTRP to consider prioritization of
establishment of cycling lanes and walking paths.

4.2. Institutional Mechanism. The LGUs may reconstitute their Local Public Transport
Route (LPTRP) Team, create an Active Transport Office, or designate an appropriate
office or officials within its organization in the fulfillment of the following functions:

a. Develop a plan for the establishment of network of cycling lanes and walking
paths;

b. Implement programs, projects, and activities (PPAs) to support active

transport;

c. Oversee the implementation of the plan and/or proposed scheme;

d. Develop a monitoring and evaluation mechanism to ensure proper

implementation; and

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 e. Ensure strict law enforcement in accordance to local and national laws and
policies.

4.3. Identifying and Establishing of Cycling Lanes and Walking Paths Network.
LGUs shall review all local roads within its areas of jurisdiction, including provincial,
city/municipal, and barangay roads, and determine sections that may be developed
into a continuous cycling lanes network with walking paths, in consideration of the
following objectives:

a. To provide active transport access, favoring the shortest and most direct routes
to the entire city/ municipality, particularly vital establishments or social
services, such as, but not limited to: public hospitals, public markets and other
authorized commercial spaces; public schools; public transport terminals;
government centers and offices; and public open spaces; historical and
heritage sites; and local tourist destinations;

b. To prioritize moving the largest volume of people possible to maximize the use
and value of street space to be measured by the flow of people, rather than the
volume of vehicles;

c. To prioritize the safety and welfare of people using active transport, ensuring
that cyclists, other light mobility users, and pedestrians are not placed at risk
due to motorized transport; and

d. To ensure that people of all ages and abilities are able to safely use active
transport to access services in the city.

The Provincial Government shall convene and facilitate the coordination of LGUs
within its jurisdiction to ensure connectivity and smooth flow of identified networks.
.
4.4. Clearing of Roads of Illegal Obstruction. LGUs shall strictly and effectively
implement the Presidential directive to clear roads of illegal obstructions, including
illegally parked cars on streets, pursuant to DILG MC No. 2020-027 dated February
7, 2020. Local roads cleared of illegal obstruction may be utilized as cycling lanes and
walking paths.

4.5. Complementing Traffic Engineering and Infrastructure Solutions. LGUs shall

adopt traffic engineering and infrastructure solutions based on the characteristics of
identified local roads to be converted or redesigned for cycling lanes and walking
paths. Below is the proposed classification of roads:

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Table 1 Criteria of Identified Road Types

Road Criteria
Type
Lanes Separation Speed Limit Traffic Calming

Type 1 Local roads with Physical 30 kph With traffic

four (4) or more separation by calming
lanes object design
interventions

Type 2 Local Roads with Paint/ 10 kph With traffic

four (4) lanes or other calming
less markings design
interventions

Type 3 Any street/ open Paint/ other

Motorized With traffic
space markings
Transport not calming design
allowed interventions

Access limited to
residents, business
loading/ unloading,
and emergency
vehicles only with
10kph speed limit.

a. Type 1 Road: Thirty-Kilometer Per Hour (30kph) Road with Protected Cycling
Lane and Walking Path. Development of Type 1 Road shall be guided by the
following:

• Lanes: Recommended road types include local roads with four (4) or
more lanes. LGUs within highly-urbanized areas shall coordinate plans
for inter-jurisdictional roads with the necessary adjoining LGUs;

• Separation: Cycling lanes and walking paths shall be separated by

object (e.g. curb, planter, flex delineators) from vehicle traffic;

• Speed Limit: Thirty kilometers per hour (30kph) vehicular and

motorcycle speed limit shall be adopted to ensure safety for all users;
and

• Traffic Calming: Interventions (e.g. medians, speed humps) shall be

incorporated to ensure compliance with the speed limit.

b. Type 2 Road: Ten-Kilometer Per Hour (10kph) Road with Cycling Lane and
Walking Path. Development of Type 2 Road shall be guided by the following:

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  Lanes: Recommended road types include one (1), two (2), or four (4) -
lane roads;

 Separation: Cycling lanes and walking paths are not separated by object
from motorized vehicle traffic. Cycling lanes and walking paths can be
designated with the use of paint or other markings;

 Speed Limit: 10 kilometers per hour (10kph) vehicular and motorcycle

speed limit shall be adopted to ensure safety for all users; and

 Traffic Calming: Interventions (e.g. medians, speed humps) shall be

incorporated to ensure compliance with the speed limit.

c. Type 3 Road: Roads with No Vehicular Traffic. Development of Type 3 Road

shall be guided by the following:

 Lanes: Any roadway may be considered. Selection should consider the

number of people who will need to use this public space.

 Separation: Cycling lanes, walking paths, and play areas shall be

designated with the use of paint or other markings;

 Speed Limit: Motorized transport through traffic should not be

permitted. These streets serve to provide a safe environment for active
transport and exercise for all ages. Access limited to residents,
business loading/ unloading, and emergency vehicles only following
the 10kph speed limit.

 Traffic Calming: Interventions (e.g. medians, speed humps) shall be

incorporated to ensure compliance with the speed limit.

4.5.1. Safe Intersections. LGUs shall evaluate all intersections to ensure that people
using active transport are able to safely cross and change directions without
requiring the use of a footbridge or any other pedestrian crosswalks that divert
away from street level. The LGUs shall consider the following guidelines:

a. Provision of bike boxes on intersections whenever possible. Time duration of

traffic signals must allow enough time for safe and reasonable crossing.

b. To improve safety of pedestrians and cyclists crossing on intersections,

motorized vehicles cannot turn right on a red signal light. Entities in charge of
operating traffic signals, such as the Traffic Management Office, local
Command and Control Center, and any private entity that has control and/or
ownership of a traffic signal light in the Municipality/City, shall utilize the
appropriate traffic signal timing which prioritizes safety and mobility of
pedestrians and cyclists.

c. Any pedestrian crosswalk that diverts active transport away from the street
level (e.g. footbridge, underpass) must be compliant to existing accessibility
laws and design standards. The pedestrian crosswalk shall enable
independent use of a personal mobility aid (e.g. wheelchairs).

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 d. LGUs shall ensure that there are first-aid stations and/or medical facilities, at
regular intervals along the cycling lanes.

4.6. Policies, Ordinances, and Issuances. LGUs shall pass such policies, ordinances,
and issuances to support active transport as necessary. Said issuances may cover
the following: (1) enforcement on prohibiting motorized transport in cycling lanes and
walking paths; (2) policy on maintenance of cycling lanes and walking paths from
illegal obstructions, (3) enforcement of the use of helmet and compliance to safety
measures/ guidelines, (4) policy encouraging local manufacturing of bicycles and
parts, and (5) policy on motorist education programs. .

4.7. Reporting and Monitoring. The DILG Regional Offices shall facilitate the monitoring of
LGUs’ compliance through the prescribed monitoring template attached as Annex A. The
DILG Regional Offices shall submit a consolidated report to the Bureau of Local Government
Supervision (BLGS) thirty (30) days from the effectivity of the Memorandum Circular, and
every end of the quarter then on, to be submitted on the 5th day of the succeeding month.

4.8. Dissemination. All DILG Regional Directors and the BARMM Minister of Local
Government are hereby directed to cause the widest dissemination of this
Memorandum Circular within their respective areas of jurisdiction.

4.9. Penalties. LGU officials who fail to comply with the provision of this Memorandum
Circular may be penalized in accordance to existing laws and policies.

5. Annexes

Annex A: Template for Monitoring of LGUs Establishment of Cycling Lanes and Walking
Paths

6. References

• Republic Act No 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991

• Implementing Rules and Regulations of the National Transport Policy
• IATF-EID Resolution No. 30 series of 2020 entitled: Omnibus Guidelines on the
Implementation of Community Quarantine in the Philippines
• DOTR Omnibus Public Transport Protocols / Guidelines covering Road Transport,
Aviation, Maritime and Railways Sectors

7. Repealing Clause

All DILG orders and other issuances inconsistent herewith are hereby superseded,
repealed and/or modified accordingly.

8. Effectivity

This Memorandum Circular shall take effect immediately.

9. Approving Authority

EDUARDO M. AŇO
Secretary
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10. Feedback
For related queries, kindly contact the Department of Interior and Local Government –
Bureau of Local Government Supervision at Tel Nos. (02) 8876-3454 loc. 4203 or 4205
at email address at dilg.manilabaypmo@gmail.com

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 Republic of the Philippines
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
DILG-NAPOLCOM Center, EDSA corner Quezon Avenue, Quezon City
www.dilg.gov.ph

MONITORING OF LGUS ESTABLISHMENT OF CYCLING LANES AND WALKING

PATHS

No. Criteria Compliance

LGU has a Local Public
1. Yes No
Transport Route Plan
LGU has a designated unit,
office, or personnel for the
2. Yes No
implementation of the plan/ or
scheme
Indicate designated unit, office,
2.1 Write designated unit/ office/ position of personnel
or position of the personnel.
LGU has identified roads for
3. Yes No
cycling lanes / walking paths
Percentage of cycling and/or
Total number of
walking lanes with object identified lanes that
No. of established
separator lanes (separated
3.1 need to be
by an object)
Percentage
separated by an
(based on number of paths that need object
to be separated by an object)
Percentage of cycling and/or
No. of established
walking lanes designated using Total number
lanes (separated
paint or marking identified lanes to
3.2 be designated using
using paint/ Percentage
marking)
paint/ marking
(based on number of identified roads to
be designated using paint)
No. of roads with
Percentage of cycling and/ or Total number of
traffic calming
roads that need
3.3 walking lanes with traffic traffic calming
design Percentage
calming design interventions interventions
design interventions

LGU has an ordinance relative

to the implementation or
4 Yes No
compliance to cycling and
walking rules and regulations
LGU is implementing measures
(IEC) to disseminate information
5 Yes No
on designated cycling lanes and
walking paths
LGU has identified programs,
projects, and activities (aside
6 from those required by the MC) Yes No
on promoting cycling and
walking

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 Republic of the Philippines
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
DILG-NAPOLCOM Center, EDSA corner Quezon Avenue, Quezon City
www.dilg.gov.ph
Guidelines in Filling-out the Monitoring Tool
No. Criteria
LGU has a Local Public
1.
Transport Route Plan
LGU has a designated unit,
office, or personnel for the
2.
implementation of the plan or
scheme
Indicate designated unit, office,
2.1
or position of the personnel.
LGU has identified roads for
3.
cycling lanes / walking paths
Percentage of cycling and/or
walking lanes with object
3.1 separator
(based on number of paths that need to
be separated by an object)
Guidelines
The Local Public Transport Route Plan may serve
as an important reference and source of
information for the LGU to effectively plan on the
establishment of cycling lanes and walking paths.
Select ‘Yes’ if the LGU has an approved LPTRP. If
none, select ‘No’.
Select ‘Yes’ if a particular unit, office, or personnel
is designated or appointed to facilitate and lead the
implementation of the LGUs plan or scheme.
Otherwise, select ‘No’.
If the answer is ‘Yes’, proceed to Item 2.1. If the
answer is ‘No’, proceed to Item 3.
Indicate the unit, office, or position of the personnel
designated to facilitate or lead the implementation
of the plan.
Select ‘Yes’, if the LGU has already identified and
finalized roads where cycling lanes and/or walking
paths will be established.
Select ‘No’ if LGU has not identified roads yet, or is
still in the process of finalizing the plan or scheme.
If the answer is ‘Yes’, proceed to Item 3.1. If the
answer is ‘No’, skip 3.1. to 3. 3 and proceed to Item
4.
On the 1st column, indicate the total number of
identified cycling and/or walking lanes that need to
be separated by an object.
On the 2nd column, indicate the number of cycling
and walking lanes that are already separated by an
object.
Divide the number of established lanes with the
total number of roads identified. The result will be
the percentage rate pertaining to the completion of
targeted cycling lanes and/or walking paths.
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Percentage of cycling and/or
walking lanes designated using
paint or marking
3.2
(based on number of identified roads to
be designated using paint)
Percentage of cycling and/ or
3.3 walking lanes with traffic
calming design interventions
LGU has an ordinance relative
to the implementation or
4
compliance to cycling and
walking rules and regulations
LGU is implementing measures
(IEC) to disseminate information
5 constituents on the designation of cycling lanes
on designated cycling lanes and
walking paths
LGU has identified programs,
projects, and activities (aside
6 from those required by the MC)
on promoting cycling and
walking
On the 1st column, indicate the total number of
identified cycling and/or walking lanes that need to
be delineated using paint or marking.
On the 2nd column, indicate the number of cycling
and walking lanes established and delineated.
Divide the number of established lanes with the
total number of roads identified. The result will be
the percentage rate pertaining to the completion of
targeted cycling lanes and walking paths.
On the 1st column, indicate the total number of
roads that need traffic calming design
interventions.
On the 2nd column, indicate the number roads with
traffic calming design interventions.
Divide the number of roads with needed
interventions with the total number of roads
identified. The result will be the percentage rate
pertaining to completion of installation of traffic
calming design interventions.
Select ‘Yes’ if the LGU has an approved ordinance
relative to the implementation or compliance to
cycling and walking rules and regulations. Select
‘No’ if the LGU has none.
Select ‘Yes’ if the LGU is implementing measures
and activities that aim to raise awareness or inform
and walking paths. (e.g. social media platform,
announcements, etc) Select ‘No’ if none.
Select ‘Yes’ if the LGU has identified PPAs, aside
from the interventions indicated above
(establishment of lanes with object separators,
traffic calming regulations, delineation of lanes
through marking) that promote cycling and walking
Target implementation period of identified PPAs
must be within the same year.
Otherwise, select ‘No’.
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