Ateneans urged to use bikes going to campus

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is encouraging the use of bicycles as an alternative mode of transportation for people entering the Ateneo de Manila University campus in the traffic jam-prone Katipunan Avenue.

MMDA Traffic Discipline Office (TDO) chief Cris Saruca said the agency has stationed 50 bicycles at the corner of Katipunan Avenue and F. dela Rosa Street in front of the Ateneo University’s Gate 3.

Saruca said the bicycles can be borrowed by those who wish to enter the university campus.

He said the bicycles can be returned to the MMDA through a series of bicycle stops located inside the campus.

“Meron pong designated bike stops sa Ateneo campus na pwede nilang iwan ang bike na hiniram nila sa katipunan. Sa loob po ng ateneo gagamitin yan. Nagdedesignate napo sila ng bike lanes sa loob para environment friendly,” said Saruca.

Saruca said the use of bicycles in entering the university campus could help lessen the estimated 5,000 cars entering and leaving the campus during school days.

“Ang purpose po ay para mabasawasn ang bilang ng mga sasakyan sa kalsada at para mapaluwag din po yung traffic sa loob ng Ateneo. Nagkakatraffic din po dun. Sa bilang po natin kapag school day sa umaga mga 5,000 kotse pumapasok na naghahatid po ng mga bata,” he said.

The MMDA admitted that the sheer volume of cars entering and leaving the Ateneo campus contributes much to the tight traffic on Katipunan Avenue especially in the morning.

“Napakalaki ng vehicle count ng Ateneo. Yung northbound mabigat pag umaga,” said Saruca.

Saruca is confident that if people entering the Ateneo campus could be encouraged to use bicycles instead of cars, the number of vehicles on Katipunan Avenue would be reduced considerably.

“Kapag tinangkilik po ng mga tao itong bike lane natin sa Ateneo mababawasan po ang mga sasakyan sa Katipunan,” he said.

Meanwhile, Saruca said that since the MMDA opened a traffic-signal equipped intersection on Katipunan Avenue, the traffic jam near Gate 1 of Miriam College was also reduced.

“Simula ng nasignlize yung Katipunan wala na pong gaanong pagsisikip sa Gate 1 sa Miriam College,” he said.