MMDA: Bike lanes eyed for Valenzuela, Makati

MANILA, Philippines - The cities of Valenzuela and Makati are also encouraging their residents to use bicycles on designated bicycle lanes, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said yesterday.

“These bike lanes were conceptualized to promote and enhance street and neighborhood identity, increase foot and bike traffic, and reduce vehicle congestion and air pollution along the major thoroughfares as well as promote healthy living and well-being,” MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said as he opened two bicycle lanes on EDSA, one from Ortigas Avenue to Santolan (2.1 kilometers) and the other from White Plains to Temple Drive (982.6 meters long) yesterday.

Makati and Valenzuela have ordinances for bicycle lanes, he said.

The MMDA has opened four bicycle lanes: a 3.15-km stretch at Remedios Circle in Manila; 9.1 km along Marcos Highway from Evangelista street to Sumulong Highway in Marikina City; 1 km along EDSA from Magallanes to Ayala Avenue in Makati City; and 2.92 km along Commonwealth Avenue from University Avenue to Tandang Sora in Quezon City.       

More bikes for sharing

Tolentino said the public can ride the bicycles to be maintained by the MMDA for free under the agency’s bike-sharing system. Users of the MMDA bikes only need to present a valid identification card and will be issued in turn a plastic card indicating the bike’s number. The bike should then be surrendered to the control area on its return.

Tolentino added that the MMDA will add more bicycles and bicycle lanes for the public to use, especially when construction starts on the 15 major infrastructure projects across Metro Manila. The MMDA earlier said these projects are expected to trigger major traffic jams.

He said it is possible to have a bicycle lane that spans the entire length of EDSA from Malibay in Pasay City to Monumento in Caloocan City.

Bicycle sheds

The MMDA will also establish bicycle sheds or “shelters” along the bike lanes where private bikes can be stored by their owners and claimed when they go home. These sheds will have security guards and will be fitted with closed-circuit television cameras, Tolentino said.

Tolentino said the bike sheds will be built in Manila’s university belt and will also be built at the ferry terminals along the Pasig River.