MMDA’s Artes: Motorists becoming used to exclusive motorcycle lanes in QC

MOTORCYCLE lane: The safe zone, according to the MMDA. NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA Philippines — The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said Monday that motorists are getting used to the exclusive motorcycle lanes along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City.

After the first four days of the pilot test run, the number of motorists flagged for infringing the exclusive motorcycle lanes along Commonwealth Avenue from Elliptical Road to Doa Carmen has decreased, according to MMDA acting chairman Romando Artes.

Artes said that on the first day of the dry run, March 9, 337 cars were stopped for driving in the designated motorbike lanes.
On March 10 it hit 569, then on March 11 it dropped to 363, and on March 12 it was down to 225.

READ: MMDA starts dry run for motorcycle lanes

“We are hopeful that these numbers will continue to decline as we continue to guide our motorists for another week of test runs for the exclusive motorcycle lane on the largest highway in the metropolis,” the MMDA official said in a statement.

If the dry-run is successful, Artes said the designation of other dedicated motorcycle lanes is likely.

READ: MMDA eyes motorcycle lane along Commonwealth Avenue by mid-Feb

Thus, he urged motorists to heed the policy and ‘’give it a chance’’ explaining that the exclusive motorcycle lanes are designed to reduce the number of motorcycle-related road crashes and improve traffic flow.

Artes further disclosed that the MMDA is also in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways to install reflectors and solar street lamps and conduct patchwork repairs, following complaints from irked motorcycle riders that the lanes have potholes or bumpy — Vance Chan, trainee

KGA/abc