Bicycle, motorcycle groups oppose shared EDSA lane; MMDA to study options

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Tuesday said it would look at other options after bicycle riders and motorcycle riders opposed sharing a lane on EDSA.

“Walang nag-agree [Nobody agreed],” MMDA chief Romando Artes said in a press conference right after his meeting with groups on the issue.

“That's why we have to study it kung ano yung mga options. Kasi yun yung pinaka-importante siguro na pagdesisyunan kung puwede pagsamahin. Kung hindi puwedeng pagsamahin, ano ang puwede nating gawin na paraan,” he added.

(That's why we have to study the options. The most important thing is to decide if we can have a shared lane. If we cannot, what are the other ways?)

The MMDA proposed sharing the lane after motorcycles were reported using the EDSA bike lane which, it said, was underutilized.

The MMDA earlier said it will stop motorcycles using the bike lanes, but will not yet issue tickets. Artes reiterated this point on Tuesday.

Most of the groups who participated in the meeting with the MMDA raised safety concerns with the proposed shared lanes.

Move as One co-convenor Robert Siy Jr. pointed out that it would be dangerous for bikers to share a lane with motorcycles.

“We need to find a way to protect our cyclists. They are vulnerable road users. Pareho po yung prinsipyo sa [It has the same principle with a] sidewalk. The sidewalk provides pedestrians a safe pathway so that they will not mix in the same space with motorcycle vehicles, which is dangerous,” he said.

Motorcycle Rights Organization head Jobert Bolanos said the focus should be on studying ways to separate different types of vehicles on the road considering their safety.

“Kung paano natin ito gagawin, kung paano natin hahatiin ang kalsada, it needs extensive study. At kailangan itong panindigan, hindi yung ningas-cogon tayo,” he said.

(An extensive study is needed on how we will share the road. And we need to stick to it and not just in the beginning.)

Motorcycle Federation of the Philippines president Atoy Santa Cruz said that bicycle and motorcycle riders do not share lanes in other countries due to safety reasons.

“Talagang exclusive for bicycle lang, hindi puwede pagsamahin. Bakit? Because of safety. (It is really exclusive for bicycles only, it cannot be shared. Why? Because of safety.) — BM, GMA Integrated News