On Non-motorized Transport

Non-motorized transport is indispensable, particularly in an era of economic and environmental crises. The use of non-motorized means of transportation such as walking and cycling provides a lot of socio-economic and environmental benefits, especially in developing countries such as the Philippines. It creates health consciousness among people, enhances physical fitness, offers affordable mobility, reduces traffic congestion, and does not contribute to further environmental pollution, among others.

However, as in any other Asian cities, increasing trends of population, gross domestic product, and level of motorization seem to threaten the current status of non-motorized transport in Metro Manila. Loss of street space for safe, non-motorized vehicle use and changes in urban geography have been evidenced as consequences of transportation plans and policies that encourage motorization. Moreover, the declining use of non-motorized transport has brought about negative effects such as air pollution, inefficient energy use, and unemployment and poor mobility of low-income people.

To address these, the need to formulate plans which put priority on the movement of goods and persons, the development of required regulatory frameworks, and the institutional and organizational capacity to implement such sustainable plans that integrate the concerns of non-motorized transport facilities, becomes urgent. Some cities in Metro Manila, including Makati, Manila and Marikina have already started improving non-motorized transport facilities. To what extent these efforts have contributed to the overall sustainability of urban transport, at least in Metro Manila, is yet to be determined. Collective efforts of other cities in terms of mainstreaming non-motorized transport facilities planning have to be established.