Safer roads for Saipan cyclists planned with Route 33
BY MARK RABAGO Saipan Correspondent
GARAPAN, Saipan — It seems like forever that a major portion of Beach Road has become one large construction site.
However, one silver lining of the rehabilitation of Route 33 are the bike lanes that will finally be laid out — at least in Phase 2 of the project from As Perdido to the Atkins Kroll intersection in Oleai.
SemanVincent Seman, president of the Northern Mariana Islands Cycling Federation; said wider bike lanes are welcome news to the island’s growing cycling community.
“While NMICF did not provide specific input on the bike lanes, we are grateful to the community for looking out for our cyclists during the ongoing road improvement projects,” he said. “As cycling continues to grow, the public needs to be vigilant and courteous in sharing the road with cyclists. Cyclists also need to be mindful of following the rules of the road and avoid unnecessarily occupying the car lanes, especially when riding in groups,” he said.
The federation, which has roughly 100 members, was established in January 2012 to develop and foster the sport of cycling in the community and support its members in participating in local and international competitive events, as well as promoting public awareness for sport of cycling and the safety of all cyclists.
“Because it is such a low impact sport, people can continue cycling as a great form of exercise well into their later years in life,” Seman said.
The group’s major annual event is the Hell of the Marianas, which is traditionally held on the first Saturday of December. The federation also holds lead-up events, including the pre-Hell of the Marianas or Road to Hell series to promote and prepare local participants.
“Cycling is an international sport for professionals and enthusiasts alike. We work with the Marianas Visitors Authority to promote sports tourism via the HOM. This past year was one of our most successful events in attracting our largest percentage of off-island participants, with many already committing to returning for future events with their friends and families,” Seman said.
As for 2024, Seman said the federation hopes to continue to grow the sport of cycling and culminate the sport with an even more successful HOM 2024.
“HOM as an international event had been inactive for a number of years due to the pandemic, but we were glad that we were able to restart it again after such a long hiatus. … Saipan is such a unique and picturesque place to cycle. From the scenic Beach Road to the reverent Marpi roads, we all need to do our part in preserving the environment, protecting the cyclists on the road, and just looking out for each other.”
Jay Diyco is the coordinator of the Saipan Cyclers Association. Photo courtesy of the Saipan Cyclers AssocationJay Diyco, coordinator of the Saipan Cyclers Association; said the new bike lanes along Beach Road couldn’t come any sooner for avid cyclists like him.
“Bike lanes are really important on the roads, since the cycling community grew these past few years. It is for the safety of the bikers and to avoid accidents.”
Diyco said the association was established sometime in the late 1990s and membership is open to anyone who pedals on two wheels.
Rick Castro and Florence Antonio, two bikers who were involved in bike-auto accidents in the past, said the new bike lanes will improve cyclists’ safety in an otherwise perilous stretch of roadway.
Castro said aside from wider bike lanes, motorists should also be cognizant of Public Law 18-24 that essentially provides cyclists three feet of distance between them and vehicles on the road.
“They should create awareness on P.L. 18-24’s existence by educating new drivers on including some questions pertaining to cyclists’ safety on the written test for driver license applicants,” Castro said.
Antonio said bike lanes will hopefully attract more visitors.
“A bike lane is a good idea as it’s one way to attract tourists! Tourists can freely bike safely around our small island,” he said.
Henry Bautista, senior highway engineer at the Department of Public Works; confirmed bike lanes are part of the $27-million facelift of Beach Road.
Construction is ongoing on Beach Road in Saipan. Photo by Mark RabagoHe said bike lanes will be located on both sides (north and south bound) of Route 333 from As Perdido in Chalan Piao to the Atkins Kroll intersection along Chalan Monsignor Guerrero Road. The single bike lane for each way will be three feet wide and will have retro-reflectivity delineators and signs on the road shoulder.
Bautista said the completion date was originally set for June 30. However, due to weather and other obstruction along the way, it is anticipated to be extended to Sept. 30.
“It is important we incorporate a complete street in our roadway design. But the biggest challenge that DPW is facing is the available width of the road right of way, as most of our future projects should include road shoulders for bikers. [This becomes a problem] if the available right of way is limited to incorporate bike lanes,” he said.
Ray Yumul, secretary of DPW; said while bike lanes are already guaranteed in Phase 2 of the Beach Road resurfacing project, their inclusion in Phase 1 (south) will depend on available funding.
“Because of the width of that road, we will have enough space to include bike lanes on both sides for Phase 1, but it’s all about funding. Hopefully we’re able to secure funding to incorporate bike lanes and sidewalks.”
The same will hold true for the rest of the main thoroughfare, he said. Phase 3 and 4 (From AK Toyota to the American Memorial Park) have an existing bike lane. “But it’s more like a shoulder. It’s a challenge for cyclists because to be safe they’ve been using the Beach Road pathway, which is really against the law. It’s a concern of mine and I’m waiting to push to incorporate bike lanes. If we can make adjustments after the project’s done, we’ll see what we can do there. Again, it’s all about funding as we only receive $3 million to $4 million a year from the U.S. Department of Transportation and Phase 2, 3, and 4 is already around $27 million.”
As for Phase 2, Yumul said it will have everything— sidewalks for walkability, the turning lane, and bike lanes for cyclists.
Route 33 plans include sidewalks, a turning lane, and bike lanes. Photo courtesy of the NMI Department of Public Works “We’re gonna make sure that the shoulder of the road is properly marked for them. It will have the signages and the markings and then we will do the outreach to make drivers cognizant about the bike lanes. We will also be reaching out to the Department of Public Safety to help us in educating the driving public.”
The DPW secretary said bike lanes and pedestrian walkways are all part of the 20-year masterplan, and the department is looking at ways to encourage and allow walking and biking in village areas.
“With limited funds it makes it a challenge to try and incorporate these safety systems — walkability, and bike lanes. The priority has always been for the road, but we need to start thinking about the safety of the pedestrians and the cyclists,” he said. mbj
