MMDA looking at making EDSA bike lane shared with motorcycles

Plans to make exclusive bike lane a shared lane studied by MMDA

Yesterday, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) began the strict implementation of the Bicycle Lane (aka bike lane) along EDSA, and erring motorists were slapped with a PHP 1,000 fine.

Motorcycle riders appealed to MMDA to make the exclusive bike lane a shared lane since the volume of traffic has come back to pre-pandemic levels and public transportation is now operating at its full capacity. The bike lane was conceived at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when public transportation was operating at limited capacity.

Looks like the MMDA has heard the plea of motorcycle riders.

MMDA Acting Chairman Atty. Don Artes said the agency 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,” said Artes during a press briefing held at the MMDA Head Office in Pasig City.

According to the latest data from the MMDA Traffic Engineering Center, 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 (DOTr). 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 possibility of creating an elevated walkway and bikeway on EDSA, from Guadalupe to Cubao. The MMDA chief further reiterated that the existing policy on the exclusivity 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 stressed.

The City of Valenzuela has an existing city ordinance that allows for the shared use of the bike lane between cyclists and motorcycle riders.