MMDA bares plan for elevated bike lanes along EDSA

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is planning to build elevated bicycle lanes along Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) in a bid to promote active transport and ensure the safety of cyclists.

At the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City, MMDA Director for Traffic Enforcement Victor Nuñez said the agency is conducting a study on the feasibility of establishing elevated bike lanes along Metro Manila’s main thoroughfare.

“There is a study already regarding the elevated bike lanes,” Nuñez said.

However, he admitted that the plan needed further examination, especially on how to put the necessary infrastructure such as the posts for the elevated bike lanes.

During the news forum, the MMDA official also disclosed the agency’s plan to impose stiffer fines for private motorists who will use the dedicated lane for buses along EDSA.

Nuñez said the fines for the violation would be increased from the current P1,000 to as high as P30,000 for the fourth offense.

Under MMDA Regulation No. 23-002, the increased fines for the violation for both public and private vehicles were:

• First offense – P5,000
• Second offense – P10,000 plus one month suspension of driver’s license, and required to undergo a road safety seminar
• Third offense – P20,000 plus one year suspension of driver’s license
• Fourth offense – P30,000 plus recommendation to Land Transportation Office for revocation of driver’s license

Nuñez said recorded violations on passing through the EDSA bus lane averaged 2,100 apprehensions from July to September.

“We need to raise the fine so they can feel it… because they would rather pay P1,000 [fine] than be inconvenienced by traffic,” he said.

The MMDA was also increasing the fines for violations of the regulations in road diggings, excavations, and restorations.

From fines ranging between P1,000 and P25,000, violating contractors would soon be slapped with P15,000, P20,000, or P50,000 in financial penalties. — DVM, GMA Integrated News