MMDA: More bikers using EDSA's blue lane

MANILA, Philippines - More motorcycle riders are now using the designated lanes for motorcycles on EDSA, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) reported yesterday.

Yves Gonzalez, chief of the MMDA’s Traffic Discipline Office, said they expect full compliance from motorcyclists by Feb. 20, when the weeklong dry run of the motorcycle lanes will end and traffic enforcers will be issuing violation tickets on erring bikers.

As of noon yesterday, the MMDA said 419 motorcycle riders were stopped at various monitoring points along EDSA for not using the bike lanes, which have been marked in blue paint.

Of this number, 37 were apprehended near the MMDA’s office in Makati, 68 at White Plains, 27 at Timog Avenue, 113 at Roxas Boulevard, and 174 at General Simon street in Caloocan City.

On Tuesday, the first day of the dry run, MMDA traffic enforcers apprehended 1,403 motorcyclists by 5 p.m.

According to the MMDA, the apprehended motorcyclists are made to take a 15-minute roadside safety lecture handled by expert motorcycle riders.

“The purpose of the dry run is to relay information to the riders about these motorcycle lanes along EDSA. Those who were caught on the first day said they were not aware of the lanes. But with the help of media, more and more riders are becoming aware of these lanes and are now using them. We expect the number of those apprehended to go down by Monday,” said Gonzalez.

On Monday, motorcyclists who will still refuse to use the blue lanes will be chased and stopped by members of the MMDA’s “green tank” unit. Gonzalez said the unit will field traffic enforcers on motorcycles with gas tanks painted green. These enforcers will issue violation tickets.

Gonzalez added that aside from catching motorcyclists who will not be using the blue lanes, the MMDA’s riders will also go after motorcyclists on EDSA who use cell phones while driving, are not wearing helmets, driving an overloaded bike, driving bikes with defective signal or headlights or those without license plates.

Motorcyclists caught not using the blue lanes will be made to pay a fine of P500 for each violation made; driving while intoxicated, P2,000; using a cell phone while driving, P200; without helmets for driver and passenger, P150; overloading, P150; and reckless driving, P500.