Exclusive motorcycle lane: Agree or Disagree? [Poll of the Week]

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced that it plans to put an exclusive motorcycle lane along Commonwealth Avenue. This decision was made after the agency’s two-day motorcycle consultation workshop.

Commonwealth Avenue [Photo: patrickroque01]

The workshop was attended by various government agencies as well as groups from the private sector including bus operators, jeepney operators, and motorcycle groups. The MMDA held the two-day workshop to discuss policy directions as well as guidelines for motorcycles and other public utility vehicles (PUVs).

The agency is eyeing to implement an exclusive motorcycle lane along Commonwealth Avenue. The motorcycle lane will be located on the third lane from the sidewalk. This means that the innermost lane, nearest to the sidewalk, will remain as the bike lane. 

The proposed exclusive motorcycle lane Commonwealth Avenue

The next lane will be allotted for buses and jeepneys (PUVs). Then, the proposed exclusive motorcycle lane will be on the third lane beside the PUV lane. The rest of the lanes along Commonwealth Avenue will be for private vehicles.

MMDA Acting Chairman Carlo Dimayuga III noted that the exclusive motorcycle lane along Commonwealth Avenue will help reduce road accidents and improve traffic flow.  

“We're planning to put an exclusive motorcycle lane along Commonwealth Avenue to put the vehicles in order and as part of road safety for the motorcycle-riding public," Dimayuga said. 

1-Rider Partylist Representatives Bonifacio Bosita and Rodge Gutierrez showed their appreciation regarding the MMDA’s plan of having an exclusive motorcycle lane.  

“We are one with the MMDA in this kind of initiatives which recognize motorcycle riders as the most exposed and at-risk sector on the roads, right now,” Bosita and Gutierrez said.

The MMDA is looking to implement the exclusive motorcycle lane along Commonwealth Avenue as early as next month. But, nothing is official as of this writing since the MMDA will still present the said plan to the Metro Manila Council, composed of 17 Metro Manila mayors. 

EDSA

The MMDA is also considering having an exclusive motorcycle lane on EDSA. Putting up an exclusive motorcycle lane on EDSA has been brought up since 2019.

Could having an exclusive motorcycle lane make Metro Manila roads safer and more organized? In theory, it could help yield safer roads and more organized traffic flow. The thing that should be looked at is if all motorists can adhere to the designated lanes religiously. 

Since it’s being regarded as “exclusive”, the said lane should only accommodate motorcycles. Any other motorized vehicle is not allowed on the exclusive motorcycle lane. Think of it as a bike lane, which is made solely for cyclists.

Another thing that should be considered is the strict implementation once the proposed exclusive motorcycle lane is passed. Motorists should follow and stick to their designated lanes. Otherwise, improving road safety and having better traffic flow will remain to be an illusion. 

What can you say about the proposed exclusive motorcycle lane? Do you agree with it or not? Cast your vote now in Philkotse’s Poll of the Week.