(*Originally published in my sports page column Self-Propelled in the Oct. 16-22, 2011 issue of the Baguio Chronicle --- a weekly newspaper based in Baguio City, Philippines.)
REP. Carmelo Lazatin (1st District, Pampanga) is urging the government and the private sector to promote bicycles as an alternative mode of transportation at the same time admitted that the government lacks biker-friendly programs.
"The government lacks a serious program to promote bicycle use despite the many benefits it brings, not only to health, but to the economy and environment as well," Lazatin said. With the spiraling cost of oil products, “there is a serious need to find alternative modes of transportation and one of this is the use of the bicycle.”
Lazatin is the author of the proposed House Bill 5335 which seeks to encourage the government and the private sector to focus on instituting a serious program in promoting bicycle use.
Under the measure to be known as the "Bicycle Use Act of 2011, "all government agencies are directed to grant bicycle-riding employees a 30-minute window before they be considered late, taking into consideration the long travel time they will take in reporting to work,” Lorelei V. Castillo of the House Media Relations Services’ Public Relations and Information Bureau, said. It shall likewise coordinate with the LGUs in leading the establishment of bicycle lanes on all major thoroughfares all over the country.
The bill enjoins the private sector, including employers and establishment owners to help in the promotion of bicycle use through the setting-up of secure and ample parking spaces and facilities like bike racks in all public and private commercial establishments, including but not limited to public markets, malls, restaurants and stores.
The standard size of the parking space to be allotted shall be determined upon the formulation of the implementing rules and regulations of the proposed act.
Also, the private sector shall grant the legitimate bicycle-riding employees a 30-minute window before they be considered late.
Under the bill, all local government units (LGUs) are directed to monitor all private, public establishments and employers if they comply with all the provisions of the proposed act, implement penalties to violators and ensure that bicycle lanes are properly utilized.
The measure mandates the Departments of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Labor and Employment (DOLE) to issue the necessary rules and regulations.
Public and private establishments who violate the provisions of the measure will be meted with a penalty of suspension and revocation of their business permits.
Building permits shall not be issued to contractors and builders of structures intended for public and commercial use if their plans do not include parking for bicycles.*
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CYCLING is now the biggest sporting goods market in the world in terms of revenue, according to a survey by multi-national market research company NPD Group.
Global sales totaled nearly €33 billion (US$46 billion) last year --– an increase of four percent on 2009. Some 137 million bicycles (including electric bikes) were sold, with the average price estimated at €179 ($249). Cycling accounted for 15 percent of all sporting goods revenue.
Back in August the London School of Economics published a similarly encouraging report on the economic value of cycling in the UK, calculating that the country's GCP or ‘Gross Cycling Product’ was around £2.9bn, or £230 per cyclist.
Analysis from the US seems to confirm a positive economic picture there too. Industry revenue rose to $5.94bn in 2010, up from $5.68bn the year before – an increase of 4.6 percent and a return to 2008 revenue levels, according to the 2011 US Specialty Bicycle Retail Study compiled by Jay Townley of the Gluskin Townley Group.
The NPD report --– their sixth Global Sport Market Estimate – covers the sale of bikes, parts, accessories, rental, maintenance and cycle clothing. It shows there were seven countries in which the sporting goods market exceeded $10 billion in 2010 –-- the USA, Japan, Germany, China, France, UK and Italy.
The survey comments specifically on the electric bike phenomenon, saying that “electrical bikes have yet to prove that they're a mass market product in Western Europe (with the exception of some countries such as the Netherlands).”
“We believe what's missing is a touch of glamour on the bikes, and they're expensive in comparison with traditional bicycles,” the report added. "So, the interesting question is at what level of price will demand for hybrid technology products start to rocket and hit the mass market, and when will this happen? This is probably around half the current prices (the psychological price is certainly below €500) and the turning point is probably still a few years from now.”
The NPD’s cycling survey is for sale and includes data broken down by region and by nation for all countries in the world.*
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