Can exclusive motorcycle lane reduce road accidents? [Poll of the Week]

The Metro Manila Council (MMC), composed of 17 mayors from the National Capital Region (NRC), has already agreed in principle to establish an exclusive motorcycle lane on Commonwealth Avenue. 

Will the exclusive motorcycle lane work?

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is the agency that submitted the proposal to the MMC. The need to put an exclusive motorcycle lane along the said thoroughfare is intended to improve traffic flow as well as reduce road accidents involving motorcycle riders.

According to MMDA Resolution No. 22-15, the right outermost lane of Commonwealth Avenue shall be designated as an exclusive bicycle lane. Next to it will be dedicated to public utility vehicles (PUVs) such as jeeps, UV express, and buses. The exclusive motorcycle lane will then be designated on the third lane while the remaining lanes will be for other motor vehicles. 

Being classified as “exclusive”, the said lane is only intended to accommodate motorcycles. Any other motorized vehicles are not allowed to cruise or drive along the motorcycle lane. It’s like the concept behind the bike lane, which is made solely for cyclists. 

The proposed exclusive motorcycle lane along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City

As mentioned, the exclusive motorcycle lane on Commonwealth Avenue is meant to deliver better traffic flow, and reduce motorcycle-related accidents. This move is lauded by 1-Rider Partylist Representatives Bonifacio Bosita and Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez. The two solons believe that having an exclusive motorcycle lane will give safer journeys to riders. 

You might be wondering if the said exclusive lane will work, right? Well, there are studies that can support MMDA’s reasoning for pushing for the exclusive motorcycle lane. One of which is the research published by the International Association of Traffic and Safety Services (IATSS).

The research stated that having an exclusive motorcycle lane “has been proven a beneficial strategy.” The exclusive lane is said to provide “safe (14% lower injury likelihood) and fast movement (increased travel speed approximately by 10 km/h) to motorcycle riders and reduce motorcycle accidents with other road users.”

The implementation of exclusive motorcycle lanes in Asian countries such as Taiwan and Indonesia has yielded positive results in reducing accidents. In Malaysia, it was reported that motorcycle accidents went down by 39 percent when the exclusive motorcycle lane was implemented.

However, the research added that additional data is still needed to further evaluate the impact or effectiveness of exclusive motorcycle lanes. 

Exclusive motorcycle lane are said to give better traffic flow and safer roads

But, with other Asian countries posting good results, there’s a bit of hope that it can also happen in the Philippines. Although, proper implementation and responsible riding or driving will play a huge role should the exclusive motorcycle lane work in our country.

How about you? Do you think that the exclusive motorcycle lane on Commonwealth Avenue will help reduce accidents and improve traffic flow? Cast your vote now in Philkotse’s Poll of the Week.