MMDA still studying protection for bike lanes

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has started laying the groundwork for the bike lanes along EDSA, but it was still studying what barriers would be put in place to protect bikers.

According to MMDA spokesperson Celine Pialogo, the MMDA is considering several options for the barriers to be placed that will separate the bike lane from other lanes catering to private vehicles.

"Nagsukat na ho 'yung traffic engineering department, naglagay na ho ng marking. Lalagyan ng it could be concrete barriers, pwede hong metals, pwede hong bollards, pwede hong orange cones, pwedeng orange barriers, pinag-aaralan po po kung ano ho yung ilalagay bilang kanilang proteksyon," she said in an interview on GMA's "24 Oras Weekend" on Sunday.

The construction of bike lanes along EDSA started over the weekend, in anticipation of the increase in bikers given the still limited options of public transportation.

According to MMDA general manager Jose "Jojo" Arturo Garcia Jr., one lane has already been designated as a bike lane.

"Nilinyahan namin 'yung EDSA. Tandaan natin 'yung mga size ng lane diyan medyo malalaki," he said in the same report.

The development was welcomed by the Move as One Coalition, but noted that international standards must still be followed.

"Kailangan at least 1.5 meters siya from the gutter line to give way for the cyclists talaga," said representative Keisha Mayuga.

"Sana in the next few days, lagyan nila ng some form of protection like bollards and cement," she added.

The gradual resumption of public transportation had two phases, with the first phase from June 1 to 21, allowing trains and bus augmentation, taxis, transport network vehicle services, shuttle services, point-to-point buses, and bicycles.

Tricycles are allowed subject to the approval of the concerned local government unit, while provincial buses are still barred from entering and exiting Metro Manila during the period.

Meanwhile, the second phase will cover June 22 to 30, allowing public utility buses, modern public utility vehicles (PUVs) or jeepneys, and UV Express vehicles. — Jon Viktor Cabuenas/DVM, GMA News