MMDA to hold dry run for EDSA motorbike lanes

MANILA, Philippines -  The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said yesterday it will conduct a weeklong dry run of the enforcement of motorcycle lanes along EDSA starting on Valentine’s Day.

MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino said during the dry run, motorcyclists caught not using the segregated lanes – marked in blue paint – will not be issued traffic violation receipts but will be made to undergo a 15-minute road safety seminar handled by experts tapped by the agency.

He said the seminars will be done on the roadside at designated spots along EDSA such as near Roxas Boulevard, Orense street, White Plains Avenue, Timog Avenue and Quezon Avenue.

After the apprehended motorcyclists complete the seminar, Tolentino said MMDA personnel will attach heart-shaped stickers bearing the MMDA logo and the words “Certified Motorcycle Rider” and “Disiplinado Ako (I Am Disciplined)” on their motorcycles.

According to the MMDA, the fourth lane from the right was designated as the motorcycle lane. Tolentino said private vehicles may use the motorcycle lanes as these are “non-exclusive” lanes.

The mayors of Metro Manila, comprising the Metro Manila Council (the policy making arm of the MMDA) approved the creation of motorcycle lanes on EDSA when it passed Memorandum Circular 12-01 last month.

MMDA statistics showed that on the daily average, at least 6,559 motorcycles travel along EDSA’s northbound lane and at least 5,173 travel along the southbound lane.

Once the dry run ends, motorcyclists caught not using EDSA’s blue lane will be made to pay a fine of P500 for each violation.