MMDA eyes number coding pass for regular bikers

To encourage motorists to take up biking, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority is studying incentives such as exemption from the number coding scheme. MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino on Sunday said one possible program could involve a one-day "pass" from the number coding scheme for every 30 hours of biking. “Nakapag-exercise ka na, nakabawas na sa pollution, magkaka-pass ka pa. Sa December medyo malamig ang panahon [para sa pagba-bike]," Tolentino said in an interview on dzBB radio. He illustrated one instance where a motorist can bike for about 30 hours a week, then have it verified with MMDA constables to earn a day’s exemption from the number coding scheme. Under the number coding scheme, the MMDA bars vehicles from main roads from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., depending on the last digit of vehicle’s plate number. Covered by the ban on Mondays are vehicles with plate numbers ending in 1 and 2; 3 and 4 on Tuesdays; 5 and 6 on Wednesdays; 7 and 8 on Thursdays; and 9 and 0 on Fridays. “Kung magbisikleta ka for a week, 30 hours, matse-check ng constable natin na naka-30 hours ka, the following week kung ikaw ay nag-oopisina sa Makati, bibigyan ka namin ng one-day pass para sa coding exemption," Tolentino said. Tolentino also said the MMDA is studying the possibility of deploying buses for bikes, or modified buses with the seats removed to allow bikers to board. Such buses can load and unload bikers and their bikes at bike-friendly areas such as parts of Makati and Quezon Cities, he said. “Mga ganitong concept inaaral natin para ma-promote ang kultura ng bisikleta," he said. — LBG, GMA News