‘Build it, but will they come?’ Assessing the Influence of Pop-up Bike Lanes during the COVID-19 Pandemic on Bike-to-Work Decisions in Metro Manila

The Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or Bayanihan 2 is an economic stimulus and recovery law authorized by Philippine Congress on September 11, 2020 which mandated active transport as a response to disruptions brought about by the nationwide lockdown at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. In July 2021, the government announced that Metro Manila has more than 313 kilometers of bicycle lanes. As such, this paper assesses the influence of pop-up bike lanes on bike-to-work decisions in Metro Manila using secondary data analysis. Two available bicycle survey data conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic were utilized. The results of model estimation using structural equations modeling approach indicate that a latent construct pertaining to the idealness of a bike route is a significant factor in explaining bike-to-work decisions. There is a need to explore the conduct of fit-for-purpose surveys and appropriate choice modeling in promoting bicycle commuting in the country.