MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) launched yesterday its first bicycle-sharing program as it opened a one-kilometer bicycle lane along EDSA’s sidewalks in Makati City.
The bicycle lane, on both sides of EDSA, stretches from Magallanes to Ayala Avenue.
“We wanted to have bike lanes in the roads of Makati to further promote the healthy practice of using bicycles as every day means of transportation,†MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino said.
Tolentino said enthusiasts may ride their own bicycles on the bike lane but the public can also use those provided by the MMDA for free under a “bike sharing system.â€
Under this system, anyone who wants to ride an MMDA bike on the EDSA bike lane must first register with MMDA personnel at designated control areas along Magallanes, Pasay Road and Ayala Avenue.
Users of the MMDA bikes should present a valid identification card. They will be issued a plastic card, which they will surrender when they leave the bike lane.
Tolentino said the Makati-EDSA bike lanes have been installed with traffic directional signs and safety features to aid bike riders as the bike lane is designed to be shared with pedestrians.
Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay said the opening of the Makati-EDSA bike lane will encourage a healthy lifestyle among city residents as it also aims to reduce the level of pollution.
“Of course we would like a healthy environment, a healthy lifestyle. We have pinpointed certain areas, like Jupiter Extension near Metropolitan towards South Avenue, then Kalayaan, JP Rizal, and portions of Buendia,†Binay said.
Binay said the city wants to have more bike lanes and other environment-friendly transportation systems.
“We would like the city to become smaller. We want people to walk, use other modes of transportation like e-jeepney (electric-powered jeepneys),†he said.