The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has proposed dividing the bike lane along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City to share it with motorcycles. This plan aims to ease congestion in motorcycle lanes and improve traffic flow.
During a recent dialogue with motorcycle rider groups, MMDA Chairman Don Artes explained that the current five-meter-wide bike lane could be split, allocating 2.5 meters to motorcycles. “It would be beneficial for everyone to divide the bike lane, because right now it is at five meters. If we give the 2.5 meters to motorcyclists, that would be an additional two lanes that could be given to them,” he said in Filipino.
Artes emphasized that the bike lane would not be removed but only narrowed to accommodate motorcycles safely. “The bicycle lanes will remain; they will just be reduced,” he added.
MMDA Considers Shared Bike Lane Proposal
The MMDA is still deciding whether the 2.5-meter lane will be shared with all motorcycle riders or limited to motorcycle taxis under the transportation network vehicle service (TNVS) category. Artes noted that the agency plans to consult the Quezon City local government and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) next week to seek their approval.
“The bike lane is their program, so we need to get their approval regarding this proposal,” Artes said, partly in Filipino. Additionally, MMDA will hold discussions with bicycle groups to consider their perspective on the plan.
“Hopefully by next month, when everyone agrees, especially the government agencies and LGUs of Quezon City, maybe we can implement that,” he shared in a mix of Filipino and English.
Addressing Safety and Infrastructure Concerns
Artes stressed the importance of addressing infrastructure to ensure safety. “We need to figure out how to set it up so bicycles are protected from motorcycles and motorcycles from buses since they will be adjacent,” he said mostly in Filipino.
A Biker’s Perspective on the Proposal
Mia Bunao, a bike commuter for 23 years, voiced her concern about the proposal. “If possible, please don’t divide it, because the reason it was made that wide is because that’s what’s needed for that kind of area,” she said in Filipino.
She recalled Commonwealth Avenue’s reputation as the former “Killer Highway” and explained that the wide lane is necessary for vulnerable road users like cyclists. “If that’s reduced, it’s pretty difficult,” Bunao added partly in English.
MMDA plans to hold a meeting with bicycle groups soon to gather more feedback on the shared bike lane proposal.
For more news and updates on bike lane division proposals, visit Filipinokami.com.