MMDA reminds motorists: Park on bike lanes at your own risk 

As a reminder to motorists, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) posted on its official page that parking one’s car on bicycle lanes is strictly prohibited. For one thing, it can impede the flow of bicycle traffic. More importantly, though, it can put cyclists into harm’s way since obstacles on the bike lane like a parked car will force them on the main road. 

A clear bike lane with no bikes on it isn't free real-estate for your car

To enforce this, the MMDA’s Task Force Special Operations unit has been continuously patrolling Metro Manila and issuing traffic violation tickets to offending motorists. 

Of note, there are varying fines for this for different cities in Metro Manila. Although the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group has previously slapped violation tickets citing obstruction on motorists caught parking on bike lanes. This particular traffic violation ticket has a fine ranging from Php 150 to Php 1,000.

For those unaware, bike lanes have proliferated in the midst of the pandemic as the need for alternate transport has risen. As such, agencies like the MMDA and the Department of Public Works and Highways have been working together to put up the necessary infrastructure for pedal-powered cycles. 

Some bike lane sections lack separators and delineators

As of the moment, the Metro Manila bike lane network now stretches 313-kilometers long. The said lane is present on nine major roads in 12 cities in the Metro. Most of these bike lanes are already equipped with flexible bollards or concrete delineators. The lane itself is also given a green pavement thermoplastic paint to further set it apart from the main thoroughfare. Moreover, it also has bike signages and key areas in the city are provided with bike racks. 

Besides Metro Manila, Cebu also has 129 km of bike lanes. Metro Davao in turn, now also has 55 km of bike lanes. In both cities, these bike lanes come with the same features as the one in Metro Manila.  

Let's learn to share the road with our two-wheeled pedaling compatriots yeah?

Of note, the Bayanihan Bike Lane Project is nationwide in scope, and it currently amounts to Php 1.09 billion. As such, let us try our hardest not to waste all that invested money by parking smack-dab in the middle of a bike lane.  

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