By Jel Santos
As more workers use bikes for transportation during the general community quarantine, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is reminding motorists not to use the rightmost lane of EDSA which is now designated for bicycles.
(MMDA)
Assistant Secretary Celine Pialago, MMDA said concrete barriers or steel separators have yet to be installed along EDSA to ensure the safety of bikers.
“Since wala pang barriers, some private vehicles might use the rightmost lane kapag nakita nilang maluwag, but please be reminded na ito ang designated bike lane (Since there are still no barriers, some vehicles might use the rightmost lane if they see no vehicles using it. Please be reminded that this is a designated bike lane),” she said in a phone interview.
“Time will come malalagyan ‘yan ng barriers so better na masanay na sila not to use that lane (There will come a time when barriers will be installed so motorists better get used not to use the designated bike lane),” she added.
The plan of the Department of Transportation (DoTr) to create a bike lane along EDSA was prompted by restrictions imposed amid the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, she said.
“There are lesser means of transportation right now because the government is strictly implementing health and safety protocols,” the MMDA spokesperson explained.
According to Pialago, they are also studying the possibility of setting up concrete barriers for bicycles along major roads in the metropolis.
“Sa ngayon, pinag-aaralan pa namin ang paglalagay ng bike lanes sa iba pang major thoroughfares (We are now studying if it is feasible to put up bike lanes in other major thoroughfares in Metro Manila),” she added.
The MMDA has expressed full support to bikers in Metro Manila.