PANDEMIC SHOWED ITS IMPORTANCE Biking became the only option for many workers especially during the pandemic when public transport was restricted. Traffic cones mark the designated bike lane on Edsa, from White Plains to Bonny Serrano Avenue, in a photo taken on May 24, 2020, while heavier and taller markers fence off the lane along East Avenue, Quezon City, in a photo taken on Aug. 23 that same year. This year, hefty government funding is going into additional bike lanes and related facilities, such as bike racks and barriers. —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
MANILA, Philippines — The number of bicycles traversing major thoroughfares in Metro Manila has seen a decrease over the last three years, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said on Thursday.
According to its data posted on its official Facebook page, bicycle use was highest during the pandemic years, particularly in 2021.
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The MMDA said that around 4,890 and 4,290 used their bicycles to travel Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City, and in Roxas Boulevard, in Manila and Pasay City, respectively for 2021 alone.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority shows its data of bike users in major roads in Metro Manila. (Photo from MMDA)
However, bicycle use dropped in 2022, except for Quezon Avenue in Quezon City, and Marcos Avenue, connecting Metro Manila with the Quezon province.
Meanwhile, most bicycle users in 2023 came from Quezon Avenue with 3,426 users, and the fewest came from Roxas Boulevard with 1,030 users.
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Bike use also had a 15.95 percent decrease from 2021 to 2022, and a larger 22.79 percent decrease from 2022 to 2023.
On Wednesday, the MMDA shared that it is considering to modify the bike lanes along the Epifanio delos Santos Avenue, or Edsa, citing a small number of users.