MMDA backs Quezon City’s bike lane plan

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said Thursday it supports Quezon City’s plan to designate bike lanes on its streets.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said he is hoping that other local government units in Metro Manila will follow Quezon City’s example to encourage the use of environment-friendly bicycles.

Tolentino said biking helps reduce air pollution, promotes good health and decrease the public’s dependence on motorized transportation. He added it would decongest the streets of Quezon City.

MMDA said Quezon City’s 3rd District Councilor Allan Benedict Reyes has filed a resolution pushing for the clear marking by the MMDA and the city government’s Department of Public Order and Safety (DPOS) of bike lanes around the city.

“We will help them in any way we can,” Tolentino said, noting that they are willing to offer technical advice to help Quezon City identify secondary roads that are suitable for bike lanes.

MMDA has earlier installed bike lanes along Edsa, from Magallanes to Ayala Avenue; University Avenue up to Tandang Sora in Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City; Remedios Circle up to Paraiso ng Batang Maynila on M. Adriatico Street in Manila; and from Santolan LRT-2 station to Imelda Avenue along Marcos Highway in Marikina City.