The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority is considering the possibility of removing the bicycle lane on EDSA, as the Department of Transportation (DOTr) considers an exclusive motorcycle lane along the highway.
In an interview with DZBB acting MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said that a proposal is suggesting a complete removal of bicycles in EDSA.
“It is still being studied… considering that we (have) probably the only major highway in the world where there are bicycles,” Artes said in Filipino.
He said that there are proposals to expand the bike lane and possibly allocate the space for an exclusive motorcycle lane.
He emphasized that there are concerns about the underutilization of the bicycle lane. There are only 1,500 cyclists using it daily compared to 170,000 motorcycles that pass through EDSA every day.
Bicycle lanes or bike lanes in major roads in Metro Manila are designated as a result of COVID lockdowns last 2020, when public transportation is prohibited as part of health protocols. Due to this, commuters opted to use bicycles as an alternative mode of transportation.
Currently, exclusive bike lanes are implemented in Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City, with another lane for motorcycle riders and yellow lanes for Public Utility Vehicles.
Artes shared that extensive discussions have taken place between MMDA and DoTr, such as intensive meetings before the traffic summit or town hall meeting in San Juan last April 10.
In 2023, MMDA implemented a policy prohibiting motorcycles on using the bike lane with a violation fine of P1,000.
The current configuration of the bike lane is it only occupies half a lane, leaving the half unused.
Artes also pointed out that most motorcycle riders violated this regulation. As motorcycle riders often enter the bike lane even if there is unused space.
EDSA currently has two exclusive lanes which are bicycle lane and bus lane. A non-exclusive motorcycle lane that is the fourth lane from the sidewalk that may also be used by drivers of vehicles with more than two wheels.
He also mentioned the EDSA Greenways project in which they will build elevated mass transit walkways.
But on the possibility of implementing solutions to address the traffic on EDSA he said that President Marcos tasked them to explore possible solutions.
The economic losses from traffic reached P4.9 billion a day based on the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). They also projected that this will balloon to P9 billion a day in 2030.
