MMDA Launches Motorcycle Lane Rule

MANILA, Philippines - "Stick to one lane."

This was the message conveyed by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to at least 1,200 motorcycle riders apprehended on Valentine's Day, the first day of the "motorcycle lane" rule on Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA).

Instead of being fined P500 each, motorcyclists were only subjected to a 15-minute on-the-spot seminar on safe motorcycle riding at designated areas such as Roxas Boulevard, Orense, White Plains, Timog, and Quezon Avenue with the assistance of the Motorcycle Federation of the Philippines at the start of a week-long dry run of the campaign.

Among the subjects covered by the seminar for drivers of the two-wheeled vehicles were wearing proper apparels like helmet, shoes, and other protective gear; keeping headlights on and bringing license.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said the campaign hopes to address the alarming increase in motorcyclerelated accidents on the avenue, citing that there are 700 accidents that occur on the avenue per year.

"We hope that motorcycle-related accidents will decrease as motorists are disciplined," said Tolentino.

Apart from those who violated the rule, also flagged down were those who were not wearing helmets, proper footwear or those with motorcycles with headlights off.

The motorcycle lane is located at the fourth lane from the sidewalk as the first two lanes are designated for city buses and the third lane is for provincial buses.

"The lanes are "non-exclusive," which means that private vehicles may also use them. Private light vehicles can use the fourth lane but only to pass through," noted Tolentino.

Atoy Sta. Cruz of the Motorcycle Philippines Federation (MCPF) said his group supports the campaign which they have long been proposing.

"We welcome this move that would also discipline our co-riders," Sta. Cruz cited.

Heart-shaped stickers bearing the MMDA logo and the phrases "Certified Motorcycle Riders" and "Disiplinado Ako" were given to apprehended riders who completed the seminar.

After a week-long period, motorcycle riders who are caught not using the designated lanes except those who are making a turn will be fined P500 starting Feb. 20.

According to the agency, there was a marked increase of 72 cases in the motorcycle-related incidents along EDSA that resulted in damage to property and physical injuries from 2009 to 2011.

The number of motorcycles traversing EDSA has steadily proliferated.

For 2011, 6,559 were observed to ply the northbound lane and 5,173 along the southbound lane daily, representing a 19 percent increase from 2010.

Motorcycle riders may deviate from the motorcycle lanes when making a turn or U-turn at authorized intersections and U-turn slots, in which case they are to gradually shift lanes not less than 200 meters away from the turning point, while making the appropriate signals.

Motorcycle riders urged the MMDA to also implement a speed limit along EDSA, aside from an exclusive lane for motorcycles.

Sta. Cruz said implementing a speed limit of at least 60 kilometers per hour along EDSA will compliment the objectives of the MMDA's motorcycle lane.

While the motorcycle or "blue" lanes are meant to segregate the motorcycles from motor vehicles on the road and instill discipline among riders and drivers, Sta. Cruz said a speed limit will further help curb the incidents of accidents.

"Putting a speed limit along EDSA and enforcing it 24 hours a day and seven days a week will significantly help prevent accidents on the road because it is easier to apply brakes under a 60 kph speed limit," he said. (With a report from Kris Bayos)