25 Abril 2024, Huwebes
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Removing bicycle lane from EDSA
By J.Lo
“It is still being studied… considering that we have probably the only major highway in the world where there are bicycles,” Metropolitan Manila Development Authority is exploring possibility of removing EDSA’s bicycle lane as part of study.
MMDA is working with Department of Transportation (DOTr) to consider exclusive motorcycle lane along highway.
Acting MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said there is proposal suggesting complete removal of bicycles from EDSA.
He highlighted concerns over underutilization of bicycle lane, with only 1,500 cyclists using it daily compared to 170,000 motorcycles going through EDSA per day.
Bicycle lanes along major roads in Metro Manila were designated during COVID lockdowns in 2020 when public transportation was banned as part of health protocols to help stop spread of disease.
Commuters shifted to cycling as an alternative mode of travel.
Artes emphasized current bicycle lane configuration only occupies half lane, leaving half unused.
He noted that there are proposals received by both DOTR and MMDA to expand bicycle lane and possibly allocate space for motorcycles.
However, Artes acknowledged concerns raised by bicycle advocates regarding safety of shared lanes.
Private vehicles are allowed to pass through these lanes, although Artes pointed out that motorcycle riders tend to enter bike lane despite availability of unused space.
In 2023, MMDA implemented regulation prohibiting motorcycles from using bicycle lanes along EDSA, with violators fined P1,000.
EDSA currently has two exclusive lanes: bicycle lane beside sidewalk and innermost lane for use of city buses and authorized vehicles.
There is non-exclusive motorcycle lane that is fourth lane from sidewalk that may also be used by drivers of vehicles with more than two wheels.
Artes emphasized extensive discussions have taken place between agencies, including intensive meetings before traffic summit or town hall meeting in San Juan last April 10.
Exclusive bicycle lanes are currently implemented along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City, with another lane for motorcycle riders and yellow lane for public utility vehicles.
When asked about possibility of implementing drastic solutions to address traffic on EDSA before midyear, Artes said President Ferdinand Marcos Jrf. has instructed MMDA to expedite solutions.
He mentioned recent meetings regarding construction of bridges to redirect vehicles to alternative routes, highlighting President’s directive to promptly implement policies.
Data-driven solutions to address traffic congestion are needed, senators said as they opposed proposed exclusive lane for motorcycles along EDSA.
Dedicated motorcycle lane is questionable given limited road space, Sen. Grace Poe, chairs of Senate committee on public services, said.
“Intention to decongest EDSA is understandable, but we are curious how DOTr ,Deparment of Transportation will put up dedicated lane considering limited road space as it is,” Poe said.
To date, EDSA hosts busway on innermost lane and bicycle lane beside sidewalk.
Exclusive motorcycle lane to be put up beside bicycle lane is being studied to address traffic jams, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said.
EDSA currently has non-exclusive motorcycle lane, fourth lane from sidewalk.
“Are they intending to share it with the bike lane…should it be standardized across all highways… varying placements of motorcycle lanes can be confusing to motorists who traverse multiple highways daily, these are just some of concerns that must be addressed with actual data and not just mere experiments that can cause further confusion in our already chaotic roads,” Poe said.
Proposal highlights need for independent facts-based agency such as National Transportation Safety Board, should be able to “cull data and institute standards for designation of motorcycle lanes,” Poe said.
Sen. Francis Escudero recommended using artificial intelligence in traffic simulations before implementing motorcycle lane.
Sen. Nancy Binay said dedicated lanes are temporary solutions that do not address worsening traffic in Metro Manila.
“Reason why such alternative rides exist is because our public infrastructures fail to address urban mobility challenges purely palliative and short-term always…so let’s not dwell on policies that will deviate from mass transit solutions,” Binay said.
DOTr should instead shift its focus to mass transportation and “prioritize investments in efficient public transit systems such as buses, BRTs and trains,” she added.
Meanwhile, two motorcycle riders almost ran over traffic enforcers of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) who accosted them for using EDSA bus lane.
MMDA said motorcycle riders would be fined for violating EDSA busway policy.
Department of Transportation is studying establishing exclusive motorcycle lane along EDSA to mitigate traffic buildup along highway, DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista said.
Based on DOTr figures, more than 170,000 motorcycles go through EDSA on daily basis, according to Bautista.
He noted while EDSA has non-exclusive motorcycle lane, fourth lane from sidewalk, motorcycles travel through most of EDSA’s lanes and add to traffic congestion.
Bautista said if DOTr approves this measure, this would introduce another exclusive lane on EDSA. At present, EDSA hosts busway on innermost lane and bicycle lane beside sidewalk.
DOTr is examining viability of proposal with MMDA, eyeing to place motorcycle lane beside bicycle lane. Exclusive motorcycle lane would replace current non-exclusive one.
“As you see on EDSA right now, motorcycles eat up all lanes, so we are working with MMDA on how we can improve traffic situation relating to motorcycles,” Bautista said.
Bautista also said exclusive motorcycle lane on EDSA can help reduce economic cost of traffic gridlocks in Metro Manila.
Study from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in 2012 indicated Philippines loses up to P2.4 billion in productivity a day due to its traffic problem.
JICA said cost of lost productivity increased to P3.5 billion in 2017 and to P4.9 billion in 2022.
Government was warned that economic losses from Metro Manila’s traffic could hit P9 billion a day in 2030. Bautista stressed importance of trying to come up with solutions to improve traffic conditions in metropolis.
“Economic cost of traffic covers additional fuel, additional cost, lost opportunities for growth and lost time with family,” Bautista said.
Apart from this, DOTr is embarking on $140-million project to build extended walkway on EDSA as part of efforts to enhance infrastructure for active transport.
MMDA would strictly enforce ban on light electric vehicles such as tricycles and bicycles, Artes said .
Violators will be issued traffic violation tickets upon apprehension, he said.
“We deferred by two days just for consideration and also for information dissemination,” Artes said.
Artes clarified e-bikes and e-trikes without licenses and registrations would be impounded.
He emphasized that without proper documentation, penalties cannot be imposed, making impoundment necessary.
Ban on light e-vehicles applies only to selected roads deemed dangerous or prone to traffic congestion, Artes said.
Asked about registration procedure, he said Land Transportation Office (LTO) handles it and has issued guidelines on the process.
LTO will also determine placement of license plates.
Artes clarified local government units (LGUs) have authority over roads not included in list of prohibited routes.
“It is up to the LGUs to decide if e-bikes and e-trikes will be allowed or not in routes that are not on our list based on LGU’s ordinance,” he said.
Ban covers Recto Avenue, President Quirino Avenue, Araneta Avenue, EDSA, Katipunan/ C.P. Garcia, Southeast Metro Manila Expressway, Roxas Boulevard, Taft Avenue, Osmeña Highway or South Super Highway, Shaw Boulevard, Ortigas Avenue, Magsaysay Boulevard/ Aurora Boulevard, Quezon Avenue/ Commonwealth Avenue, A. Bonifacio Avenue, Rizal Avenue, Del Pan/Marcos Highway/ McArthur Highway, Elliptical Road, Mindanao Avenue, Marcos Highway, Boni Avenue and España Boulevard.
Concerning impounded vehicles, Artes said these can be reclaimed upon payment of penalties. Fine for e-bikes and e-trikes is set at P2,500.
MMDA reported at least 55 tricycles, pushcarts or carts, pedicabs, crickets, e-bikes, e-trikes and light electric vehicles passed through national roads, circumferential roads, radial roads and areas covered or under jurisdiction of MMDA were apprehended during ban’s dry run.
MMDA earlier said among exemptions to ban are when identified vehicles are crossing these major roads, tricycles traveling no more than 500 meters going to or coming from U-turn slot to cross to the other side and light e-vehicles traveling on bike lanes on covered roads, pursuant to Republic Act 11697 or the Electric Vehicle Industry Act.
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