Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said Wednesday the new bike lanes being constructed in Bacoor, Cavite would help address the worsening vehicular congestion in the city.

During the groundbreaking ceremony for the bike lanes here, Bautista said the bike lanes would have an immediate impact on residents and encourage more cyclists to participate in the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) Active Transport Program.

“With the construction of bike lanes, kahit papaano makakatulong tayo na mabawasan ang traffic dito sa Bacoor (we will be able to reduce some vehicle congestion in Bacoor),” he said.

He also called on the project’s contractor, Metro Land Builders Corp., to finish construction before Christmas.

“Sana ay tapusin ang project na ito bago mag Pasko para regalo natin sa mga taga-Bacoor (We hope this gets completed before Christmas as a gift to Bacoor residents),” he said.

The project includes the construction of about 18.96 km. of bike lanes in the city with an estimated 664,000 active transport users, including cyclists, students, and workers.

“Ito po ay talagang papakinabangan ng ating mga kababayan na nagbibisikleta pagpasok sa opisina at paraan para ma-improve ang ating kalusugan (Our citizens will definitely benefit from these lanes, especially those who bike to work and those who do it for their health),” he said.

The bike lanes and other active transport facilities will be constructed along segments of Bacoor Boulevard, Bacoor-Imus Diversion Road, and Emilio Aguinaldo Highway.

To date, the DOTr under Bautista has established almost 800 km. of bike lanes in 32 localities nationwide. (PNA)