149 motorcycle riders, cyclists dead in road accidents in NCR so far in 2023 —MMDA

Out of the 270 people who were killed in vehicular accidents in the National Capital Region from January to July this year, 149 were bicyclists and motorcycle riders, data from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) shows.

In Mark Salazar’s report on “24 Oras” on Tuesday, MMDA Chair Don Artes also said that during this seven-month period alone, 85,000 road accidents have already been recorded in Metro Manila—compared to the full-year figure of 58,000 in 2021 and 71,000 in 2022, when pandemic restrictions were tighter.

“Well, siguro dumadami na rin kasi 'yung sasakyan sa lansangan,” he said.

Among the more than 20,000 individuals injured in road accidents, over 12,000 were riding two-wheeled vehicles.

On Monday, a cyclist was killed when he was run over by a tanker truck on the corner of Quezon and Araneta Avenues in Quezon City.

Artes said motorcycles and bicycles should be kept separate from four-wheeled vehicles, especially trucks and buses, and the agency is studying how this could be done.

"Sa taas natin sila dadalhin instead ng nasa sidewalk sila. Itataas natin sila sa second floor, doon sila maglalakad, doon sila magba-bike," he said. "'Yung existing na bike lane bibigyan natin ng espasyo para magkaroon ng exclusive motorcycle lane along EDSA, so 'yan ay pinapaaral na natin ngayon."

Currently, bikers take their chances next to large and often speedy vehicles on EDSA and other major roads in the metro. The MMDA acknowledged that the design is not safe, but said that while the proper infrastructure is not yet in place, motorists are urged to always be cautious, alert, and kind, to avoid accidents on the road. — Sherylin Untalan/BM, GMA Integrated News