Bike lanes in Marikina

To cushion the impact of worsening traffic congestion, the Marikina City government opened 66 kilometers of bike lanes to connect residents to schools, business and commercial centers last Sunday.

The Marikina Bikeways Project (MBP), the first bikeways project in the country, was the answer of Marikina City Mayor Marides Carlos-Fernando to the worsening traffic congestion of motorized vehicles in the city.

"The MBP hopes to promote a healthier way of going about one’s way in the city," said Fernando. "It’s success will mean lesser traffic, lesser pollution, healthier residents, and, increased productivity."

The P60 million project was funded by a grant from the Global Environment Facility of the World Bank (WB) and aims to connect city residents with schools, business and commercial centers, the soon- to-be-finished Light Railway Transit 2 (LRT2) station along Marcos Highway and other public transport terminals.

The WB project also includes the construction of an interchange that will connect Quezon City and Marikina in the Libis-Marcos Highway area. – Non Alquitran