MMDA mulls revival of motorcycle lanes on EDSA

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is planning to revive the motorcycle lane policy along EDSA and other major thoroughfares in the National Capital Region.

The traffic scheme can be enforced on EDSA once the two-week dry run of the exclusive motorcycle lane along Commonwealth Avenue is deemed successful, acting MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said yesterday.

“Pag-aaralan namin ang iba pang kalsadang maluwag na puwedeng mag-designate ng motorcycle lane,” Artes told reporters.

In 2012, the MMDA designated as non-exclusive motorcycle lane the fourth lane of EDSA.

Motorcycle lanes were also established along C-5 and Macapagal Boulevard.

Artes said the MMDA has commissioned a study on the revival of the motorcycle lanes along other major roads other than Commonwealth Avenue.

“Hopefully, within the year the study will be finished so we can ask for funding for the program,” he said.

The MMDA has pulled over 949 riders and 545 cars since the dry run of the exclusive motorcycle lane along Commonwealth Avenue started on March 9, according to Artes.

The dry run of the motorcycle lane, which runs from Elliptical Road to Doña Carmen area, will end on March 19.

Violators will be fined P500 after the dry run, Artes said.

MMDA data showed that 13 people died from 1,686 accidents involving motorcycles along Commonwealth Avenue last year.