MMDA mulls bike lane to be shared with moto riders

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said that the bicycle lane along Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) is not being taken advantage of to its full capacity by intended users.

During a press briefing, MMDA Acting Chairman Romando Artes said that it is currently conducting a preliminary study focusing on the possibility of making it a shared lane for bicycles and motorcycles.

“The EDSA bicycle lane is underutilized. Hence, the MMDA conducted a preliminary study which will end within the week. We will have a stakeholders’ meeting on August 29 which will be attended by a group of cyclists and motorcycle riders,” Artes said.

To note, motorcycle riders in Valenzuela City are allowed to use bike lanes along the McArthur Highway stretch. Per Mayor Wes Gatchalian, the said move was meant to efficiently utilize the road and alleviate traffic congestion.

While mulling over the aforementioned possibility, Artes also admitted that there are some challenges that revolve around the eyed solution — one of which is the huge number of motorcycles plying the major thoroughfare.

As of July 17, the MMDA Traffic Engineering Center recorded a total of 165,000 motorcycles traversing EDSA on a daily basis. On the other hand, the bicycle count on the said road is only 1,113 (604 northbound, 591 southbound).

“We will consult our stakeholders before we finalize and make recommendations to the Department of Transportation (DOTr). The DOTr has the final say on the matter because the bike lane is their project,” Artes said.

Meanwhile, Artes said that aside from road sharing, the agency is also studying the possibility of creating an elevated walkway and bikeway on EDSA — spanning from Guadalupe to Cubao.

Relatedly, the MMDA chief clarified that it has been implementing the policy on the exclusivity of the bicycle lane more than three years ago.

"We have observed that many motorcycle riders use the bicycle lanes on EDSA since the suspension of the no contact apprehension policy. Additionally, we have been receiving complaints from the bicycle groups stating that they could not use the dedicated lane for them," Artes stressed.

“For now, we will only remind the motorcycle riders not to use the EDSA bicycle lane,” he added.

Motorists who will be caught violating the policy against bicycle lanes will be slapped with a P1,000-fine for disregarding traffic signs.

Photos from Ruben Manahan IV, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority

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