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Friday, March 29, 2024

Bike lanes back in force

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The Metro Manila Development Authority will resume enforcing the motorcycle lane policy on Epifanio de los Santos Avenue and other areas in the metropolis to ease traffic this holiday season.

Beginning Wednesday (Nov. 22), the MMDA will start apprehending riders violating the policy on Edsa, Circumferential Road-5 (C-5 Road), Commonwealth Avenue, and Macapagal Avenue.

Riders without helmets and proper safety gear will also be apprehended.

Under the policy, the designated motorcycle lane shall be the fourth lane from the right sidewalk and shall run the length of Edsa and other assigned areas. The lanes are “non-exclusive,” meaning private vehicles may also use them.

Motorcycle riders may deviate from the motorcycle lanes when making a turn or U-turn at authorized intersections and U-turn slots. They should gradually shift lanes not less than 200 meters away from the turning point, while making the appropriate signals.

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Depending on the violation committed, riders will be fined from P500 to P1,000.

The establishment of the motorcycle lanes is based on Memorandum Circular 12-01 Series of 2012 approved by the Metro Manila Council, the governing board and policymaking body of the MMDA.

Jose Garcia, MMDA assistant general manager for planning, said motorcycle lanes are necessary to promote a more orderly flow of traffic along major thoroughfares and reduce the number of fatal accidents involving motorcycles.

MMDA records showed that motorcycle crashes remained the leading cause of death and injury on Metro Manila roads.

The 2015 Metro Manila Accident Recording and Analysis System report stated that motorcycles have the “highest fatality accident rate” with 262 total deaths, followed by trucks (129) and private cars (125).

Reckless motorcycle riding was also the top cause of deaths and injuries on Metro Manila streets in 2016, the MMRAS reported.

Aside from the motorcycle lane policy, the MMDA will also strictly enforce the Yellow Lane rule along Edsa.

“We are appealing to riders, private motorists and bus drivers to stay on their designated lanes,” said Garcia.

The yellow lane—first two lanes from the sidewalk—is designated for public utility vehicles classified as “high occupancy vehicles.”

“Private vehicles should get out of the yellow lane. Only those turning right to any intersection can drive inside the yellow or bus lanes,” said Garcia.

Bus drivers that would go out the yellow lane will be charged with P500 fine plus P200 for reckless driving.

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