With traffic now becoming a serious concern in some parts of this city, a proposal promoting the use of bicycles among employees of public and private fi rms has gained growing support from local folk.
The proposal came in the wake of complaints that traffic congestion, particularly at the rotunda along the Angeles-Magalang Road near Marquee Mall here, now lasts about two hours. Local motorists have taken to Facebook to air their traffi c grievances in this city where a growing number of investors at the Clark Freeport has also increased local daytime population to millions.
The proposal to encourage local employees to use bicycles instead of cars was filed by councilor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. The proposal, titled “Bicycle Use Ordinance,” seeks to “promote the use of bicycles as a means of transportation to work among employees in the private and public sector.”
Lazatin said the use of bicycles in this city could also be a major attraction to tourists who could also rent bicycles to tour the city and its multi-national restaurants spread all over.
“From Sin City, Angeles could yet earn a better reputation as the country’s Bicycle City,” he added.
The proposal has been lauded by the Cyclists’ Association of Angeles which urged the local administration to tag it as “urgent.”
Lazatin explained that “promoting the use of bicycles will not only help lessen air pollution, it will also contribute in alleviating the heavy traffi c currently being experienced in the city and promote a healthier and more active lifestyle among citizens.
“Under the proposed ordinance, employees riding bicycles to work will be granted a 30-minute window before they are considered late, taking into consideration the long travel time they will take in reporting for work,” he said.
The ordinance also “enjoins the private sector to help in the promotion of bicycle use through the establishment of secure and ample parking spaces and facilities such as bike racks in all public and private commercial establishments, the standard size of which shall be determined upon the formulation of the implementing rules and regulations of the ordinance.”
Lazatin is also the main proponent of Ordinance no. 364 the regulation of the use of plastic bags and polystyrene foam (styrofoam) in the city, otherwise known as “An Ordinance Regulating the Use and Distribution of Plastic Bags and Prohibiting the Use of Polystyrene Foam Within the Territorial Jurisdiction of Angeles City.”
