MMDA opens more bike lanes

Two bike lanes on Edsa in Quezon City will be open by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) which wants to encourage commuters to use other alternative mode of transportation in anticipation of the monstrous traffic jams in the next few months. The MMDA on Wednesday will inaugurate the fifth bike lane located on a stretch of Ortigas to Santolan (northbound) on Edsa and the sixth bicycle lane from White Plains from Edsa to Temple Drive. MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino stressed the convenience of using bicycles as an alternative and eco-friendly mode of transportation with the expected worsening in traffic flow once 15 major road projects get underway. “We are adding more bicycle lanes to promote street and neighborhood identity, increase foot and bike traffic and reduce vehicle congestion along major roads,” Tolentino said. At the opening of the bike lanes on Wednesday, the MMDA would likewise launched a bike-sharing program called “Bike-kadahan.” The concept of the bike-kadahan is bicycle-sharing, wherein interested bike riders may use bicycles provided free by the MMDA. Riders just have to present a valid identification card in exchange for a card indicating the bike number. The card should be surrendered at the exit area where the bike should also be returned. “The bike-kadahan is designed to promote the use of bicycles as an alternative mode of transportation,” Tolentino said. Under the scheme, a small trailer truck would be used as mobile bicycle shelters on designated bicycle lanes in various parts of Metro Manila. Niña P. Calleja