Coming soon: Bike lanes on EDSA, other major roads

MANILA – The government is rushing to put bike lanes along EDSA and other major thoroughfares in Metro Manila as more people are turning to cycling due to limited public transportation under the general community quarantine in the capital region.

"'Yung ating bike lanes sa EDSA, nagkaroon po kami ng pagpupulong…para madaliin na ang paglalagay po ng bike lanes bilang alternatibo na pwede nating gamitin ano," Metro Manila Development Authority general manager Jojo Garcia told ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo on Tuesday morning.

(On our bike lanes in EDSA, we had a meeting…to rush the placing of bike lanes as an alternative way of transportation we can use.)

Garcia explained that bike lanes in cities will be connected to national highways and roads. Barriers will be placed for the safety of cyclists.

"Lalagyan po ng barrier 'yan or bollard kung tawagin para siguraduhin natin ang safety," he said.

(Barriers or bollards will be placed along bike lanes to ensure safety.)

Cycling advocates have been calling on the government to provide bike lanes to accommodate cyclists, especially those who use them to go to work.

The Department of Health (DOH), Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) earlier supported the idea of bike lanes because of their benefits to health and the potential to reduce traffic congestion.

Local governments like Marikina City, Pasig City and Quezon City have existing infrastructure to accommodate bikers and are rushing to expand their bike lanes.

Under general community quarantine, common public transportation like jeepneys and shuttle vans are suspended to avoid possible coronavirus contamination.