JTF COVID Shield trains eye on private cars parked at bike lanes

MANILA, Philippines —  The Joint Task Force COVID Shield on Tuesday ordered local commanders and the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) to check if private vehicles are using bicycle lanes as parking spaces which could pose risk to cyclists.

INQUIRER/GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

In a statement, JTF COVID Shield commander Police Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said “coordination should also be made in order to put the ideal barrier to protect bicycle lanes from vehicles.”

This came after the police task force for COVID-19 efforts received complaints that private vehicles invade bike lanes as parking spaces or a “a way to overtake another vehicle to avoid traffic.”

If bike lanes are invaded, cyclists are forced to move to other lanes with private vehicles which could pose risk to the safety of bikers.

In a text message, Eleazar said licenses of drivers of private vehicles will be confiscated for invading bike lanes.

A Temporary Operators Permit ticket from the Land Transportation Office will also be issued against them for violation of illegal parking and obstruction under Land Transportation and Traffic Code.

Eleazar also urged motorists to give respect to bikers plying roads in Metro Manila while coronavirus is in effect.

“The keyword here is respect. Just like drivers of trucks, buses and private vehicles, bicycle riders also have the right to use the roads especially if they are already allowed to go through bicycle lanes that have already been designated by the local government units,” he said.

Local government units in Metro Manila designated bike lanes to allow workers to travel by using the two-wheeled vehicles amid limited transportation during the general community quarantine.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and Department of Transportation are currently constructing bike lanes along Edsa.

EDV