Agree with DOTr’s plan to widen bike lanes on EDSA? [Poll of the Week]

The rise of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines last 2020 forced the government to implement lockdowns, which included suspending all public transport operations. This move hurt the commuting public at that time, specifically the frontliners.

Biking to and from work has become more popular

As such, frontliners who relied mostly on public transportation saw biking or cycling as a solution to get to and from their respective workplaces. The said scenario relatively popularized the biking culture in Metro Manila as more commuters realized that cycling can be another means of transportation. With more commuters turning to use bikes, the Philippine government responded by creating bike lanes.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has created almost 500 kilometers of bike lanes across Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, and Metro Davao. In Metro Manila alone, the DOTr has opened a bike lane network spanning 313 kilometers. 

Now that things are slowly getting back to normal, the DOTr expressed its intention of improving the existing bike lane along select parts of EDSA. The agency also wants to improve pedestrian walkways. This project is part of the DOTr’s Active Transport Infrastructure Improvement Program (ATIIP), which aims to promote safer travel among all road users. 

Better mobility for all road users

It is a joint project between the DOTr and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). Its goal is to improve the overall active transport infrastructure along EDSA, specifically in Santolan, Ortigas, and Shaw. As mentioned earlier, the ATIIP intends to widen bike lanes and pedestrian walkways along select parts of EDSA.

The ATIIP is also part of the DOTr’s responsibilities in the Philippine Development Plan (PDP), approved by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. last December 2022. The PDP includes projects that aim to expand and improve active transport by making segregated bike-only roads, widened walkways or sidewalks, and at-grade pedestrian crossings. 

DOTr’s Active Transport Infrastructure Improvement Program project overview

Aside from giving safer roads to cyclists and pedestrians, the DOTr hopes to encourage private vehicle owners to use non-motorized modes of transport. With the improved bike lanes, the agency is eyeing that it can attract private vehicle owners to use bicycles when going around Metro Manila. The said move is then seen to help improve the overall traffic flow in the urban jungle. 

The DOTr's project looks promising

Based on the render images shared by the DOTr, its planned improvements on bike lanes and pedestrian walkways look promising. If the agency can make that a reality, cyclists, and pedestrians could have safer and more convenient travel along select parts of EDSA. 

Although, the DOTr has not released a project timeline as of this writing. How about you? Do you agree with the DOTr’s plan to widen bike lanes and improve sidewalks along select parts of EDSA? Cast your vote now in Philkotse’s Poll of the Week.