MEMBERS of the Dagupan Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) are divided on whether an ordinance prescribing regulations to be observed during the Bike and Run Day every early morning of Sunday along the entire stretch of the Jose de Venecia Expressway Extension in Dagupan City is needed or not.

This after most councilors noted the absence or shortage of signages to warn and guide bikers and joggers of the safety rules that should be observed during the weekly early morning physical fitness activity along the road.

Majority Floor Leader Michael Fernandez raised the need for more signages along the JDV Expressway for the protection of bikers and joggers.

The Bike and Run Day is held every Sunday, from 4:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., under the auspicies of the Dagupan City Sports Commission (DCSC) in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for the temporary closure of JDV Expressway for the duration of the activity.

However, Councilor Jose Tamayo batted for the passage of an ordinance because a public road can only be temporarily closed by an ordinance. He also stressed the need for DCSC to regulate the speed of bikers negotiating the road for the protection of both bikers and joggers.

Atty. Carlos Serafin Fernandez, vice chairman of DCSC, said the maximum speed for bikers along the JDV Expressway is 30 kph but added that the bikers naturally gain momentum when descending from the Pantal Bridge.

He admitted that the biggest problem for bikers is the emergence of peloton or a group of  bikers racing that risk bumping off slow bikers ahead of them.

Perry Fernandez, a DCSC commissioner who joined Vice Chair Carlos Fernandez, said they are discouraging and preventing pelotons (with as many as 50 bikers) to enter the area since they pose hazard to the other bikers, especially the novice riders.

Sangguniang Kabataan Federation president Joshua Bugayong, an ex-officio member of the SP, is also pushing for the passage of an ordinance for the holding of the weekly Bike and Run Day.

Councilor Tamayo suggested that an ordinance will stipulate the allotted time to end at 7:30 a.m. every Sunday to allow residents and commuters to use the highway.

Councilor Celia Lim suggested merely the separation of lanes for ‘professional’ bikers and the novice and believes that there is no need to pass an ordinance as long as the needed signages and safety measures are in place.

Tamayo insists an ordinance is needed to protect the DCSC in case somebody questions in court why JDV Expressway is temporarily closed on particular hours on Sundays. (Leonardo Micua)

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