MMDA eyes ‘shared lane’ for bicycles, motorcycles along EDSA

COMMAND CENTER. Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chair Romando Artes speaks with reporters about the agency’s preparations for the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 this week at the MMDA head office in Pasig City on Tuesday (Aug. 22, 2023). The MMDA has set up a multiagency command center to give way to a faster and more coordinated traffic management response for the event. (PNA photo by Joey Razon)

MANILA – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) bared its plans for the possible implementation of road sharing on bike lanes along Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA).

MMDA acting chair Don Artes said a preliminary study is ongoing in making a shared lane for bicycles and motorcycles in EDSA.

“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,” said Artes during a press briefing at the MMDA in Pasig City.

Artes admitted that among the challenges include the huge number of motorcycles plying EDSA, a 23.8-kilometer stretch from Quezon City to Pasay City.

Latest data from the MMDA Traffic Engineering Center show that as of July 17, there are 165,000 motorcycles traversing EDSA on a daily basis.

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

Aside from road sharing, the MMDA is studying the creation of an elevated walkway and bikeway on EDSA, from Guadalupe in Makati City to Cubao in Quezon City.

The existing policy on the exclusive use of the bicycle lane had been implemented by the agency 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 said. “For now, we will only remind the motorcycle riders not to use the EDSA bicycle lane.”

Erring motorcycle riders will be fined PHP1,000 for disregarding traffic signs.

Meanwhile, the MMDA will not suspend the expanded number coding scheme on Aug. 25, the opening day of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.

Malacañang has ordered the suspension of work in government offices and classes in public schools at all levels in Metro Manila and Bulacan province on the said date to give way for the event at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

The MMDA has set up a multiagency command center to give way to a faster and more coordinated traffic management response for the event.

Road works in Metro Manila are temporarily suspended starting midnight of Aug. 17 up to midnight of Sept. 10.

Mall-wide sales will also be prohibited in malls along EDSA and other areas affected by the FIBA World Cup 2023 to ensure that roads remain passable and serviceable to vehicles and pedestrians.