The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) met today (August 29, 2023) with the group of motorcycle and bicycle riders to consult on the possibility of implementing road sharing in the bike lane on EDSA.
In the stakeholders’ meeting led by MMDA Acting Chairman Atty. Don Artes, listened to their opinions and suggestions on the said issue. Chairman Artes said that they will consider the suggestions and recommendations laid out. The official assured that the MMDA will study it carefully and ensure that the safety of bicycle and motorcycle riders will not be compromised.
Among the stakeholders who attended the meeting were well-known cycling advocate Atty. Raymond Fortun, Move as One Coalition, Motorcycle Rights Organization, Motorcycle Philipines Federation, Angkas, Bikers For A Cause, Alternative Mobility (AltMobility PH), and many others. Also present in the consultation were representatives from the Department of Transportation, Department of Public Works and Highways, Land Transportation Office, and Inter-Agency Council for Traffic.
The MMDA initiated the study on road sharing after observing that the EDSA bike lane is underutilized and that many motorcycle riders use it illegally. The agency also received complaints from bicycle groups that they could not use the dedicated lane for them.
The MMDA Traffic Engineering Center’s latest statistics show that as of July 17, 2023, there are 165,000 motorcycles traveling along EDSA per day. The agency is also looking into the possibility of constructing an elevated walkway and bikeway on EDSA, from Guadalupe to Cubao.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has the final say on the matter because the bike lane is their project. The DOTr aims to expand protected bike lanes from 564km in 2023 to 2,400km by 2028. Bike lanes in Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, and Davao combined make up the current 564km network.
The MMDA said that they will submit their recommendations to the DOTr after completing their study and consultation. They also urged the public to cooperate and follow the existing rules and regulations on the use of bike lanes until a decision is reached.
Image: PNA
