Mandaue’s bike lane on dry run this week

CEBU, Philippines - Mandaue City’s bike lane on the stretch of S.B. Cabahug Street will be put to a dry run later this week before it will be officially opened for bike enthusiasts on December 15.

The two-meter wide, two-way lane for bicycles and pedestrians has been marked and will be lined with road barriers to ward off motor vehicles from using it, according to city information officer Roger Paller.

Paller said the city government will tap the boy and girl scouts of Mandaue City Science High School to help in disseminating information regarding the responsible use of the designated bike lane in the city.

The formal opening of the lane will take place in time for the Christmas lighting ceremonies at the City Hall grounds.

Yesterday, motorbike drivers with a knack at finding shortcuts just to get past a congested area, were already banned by traffic enforcers who are deployed along the highway.

City planning and development coordinator Florentino Nimor had earlier explained that they put up the bike lane to prevent motorists from crisscrossing S.B. Cabahug, which has since become a free way after it was made into a one-way street last July.

Nimor said the special lane for bikers primarily aims to narrow the street so motorists will be prevented from switching lanes every now and then.

The move will also prevent vehicle owners from parking their cars along the street, he added.

He said the bike lane starts at the City Hall to Bagsakan through the S.B. Cabahug stretch, going north. The bike lane is located on the left side of the road.

Nimor said the bike lane will also ease mobility in the area, which is home to some schools, offices and residences.

Instead of railings, he said, they will place concrete barriers to block motorists from getting into the new lane.

For his part, city administrator James Abadia said this is part of their “traffic experiment” and urged the public to air their sentiments with regard to this plan.

“This is a traffic experiment. We would like to hear the public's sentiment as we are still looking for ways to our traffic system,” he said. (FREEMAN)