MMDA eyes more bike lanes

MANILA, Philippines -  Despite a petition for a temporary restraining order (TRO), the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is eyeing the expansion of the motorcycle lane scheme to include EDSA and the C-5 Road.

“After the holidays, then perhaps we can implement this at EDSA,” MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said.

 “C-5 Road is also a good candidate next year for a similar policy since it is also a dangerous road considering the number of fatal accidents,” he said.

Tolentino said Metro Manila mayors and motorists are supporting the plan to put up more motorcycle lanes or the so-called “blue lanes.”

He said the MMDA also welcomes the petition for a TRO filed by the Motorcycle Rights Association (MRA) before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) on the implementation of segregated motorcycle lanes along the Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City.

“We welcome the suit filed by the motorcycle riders group but we are confident we have the support of the local government units and the public,” Tolentino said.

Tolentino said the petition for the issuance of a TRO should have only been filed if the program poses an imminent threat to lives and public safety.

But he said the segregated motorcycle lanes along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City and along the Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard in Pasay City have been proven effective in instilling discipline among motorcyclists.

Tolentino also noted a drop in the number of motorcyclists apprehended by MMDA enforcers for not using the motorcycle lanes along the Commonwealth and C-5 highways.

“The number of apprehensions will go down further as the public and motorists get to know more about the new policy,”he said.

Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson also expressed his support to the motorcycle lane scheme.

“If you recall, we have adopted Commonwealth Avenue for the international road assessment program. The findings are that the road is too wide and vehicles using it too fast. It is 100 percent hazardous to pedestrians and motorcycle users,” Singson said.

Data from the MMDA Road Safety Unit showed that accidents involving motorcycles in Metro Manila have risen to 12, 656 with 104 fatalities in 2008, 13, 561 in 2009 with 105 deaths and 16, 208 with 177 fatalities in 2010.   – With Evelyn Macairan