MMDA opens new bike lane along Roxas Boulevard

MANILA. Philippines - Another bicycle lane was opened by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) along Roxas Boulevard in Manila on Monday.

The bicycle lane on Roxas Boulevard's sidewalk stretches from the service road northward from the Raja Sulayman Park to Burgos Avenue.

“As we all know, regular cycling has many physical and mental health benefits. It is also fun, cheap and good for the environment,” MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino said.

Tolentino added that with the opening of the Roxas Boulevard bike lane, the MMDA also started its "Bayanihan sa Daan" road-sharing campaign to stress on the importance of road courtesy among pedestrians, bikers and motorist.

The opening of the bike lanes is part of the MMDA’s "bike sharing system" which was started by the MMDA in 2012.

Under the "bike sharing system," anyone can borrow a bicycle and use it on the designated bike lane.

In December 4, 2012, the MMDA opened the first bike lane along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City.

The 2.92-kilometer Commonwealth Avenue bike lane stretches from the Unoversity Avenue at the entrance of the University of the Philippines to Tandang Sora.

The MMDA then opened two more bike lanes – a 4.58-kilometer lane from the Santolan Light Rail Transit (LRT) 2 station to Imelda Avenue in Marcos Highway in Marikina City and a 1.755-km bicycle lane from the Remedios Circle up to the Paraiso ng Batang Maynila Park on M. Adriatico Street in Manila.

Another 550-kolometer bike lane was opened by the MMDA from Quirino Avenue up to the Cultural Center of the Philippines along Roxas Boulevard.  “These dedicated lanes are intended to ensure the safety of the bicycle riders who traverse Metro Manila’s major roads,” Tolentino said.

Tolentino added that the creation of bicycle lanes along major thoroughfares aims to promote the use of bicycle as an alternative mode of transportation.

"Apart from being environment-friendly, biking is also good for the health," he said.