Motorcycle lane to be designated along C5 road

MANILA, Philippines - Following the recent 11-vehicle collision along the C5 Road, which included four motorcycles and left a motorcyclist dead, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will be creating another motorcycle lane on the highway.

MMDA Assistant General Manager for Operations Emerson Carlos on Thursday bared the plan during a meeting of the Metro Manila Council in Manila. The MMC composed of the mayors of Metro Manila, is the policy making body of the MMDA.

"We have seen the success of the motorcycle lanes in other roads. We will be expanding it to the C5 Road," said Carlos.

The MMDA proposal was immediately approved by the council members.

Carlos said the motorcycle lane on the C5 Road will be from the East Service Road to Balara and vice versa. The lane will be located at the outermost lane of the highway nearest the sidewalk.

Carlos added that the lane will not be exclusive for the use of motorcycles.

"This will not be exclusive for motorcycles. Other vehicles are not excluded from using it," said Carlos.

Last November 9, motorcyclist James Bond Cuaterno died after he was thrown off the motorcycle he was on after it was hit by a truck that has lost its brakes along the C5 Road in Barangay East Rembo in Makati City.

Eight others were slightly injured after six cars and four motorcycles were rammed by the truck loaded with RC soda drinks (RLD-314) driven by Normalito Rumbaoa near the elevated U-turn along the north-bound lane of the C5 Road.

Initial investigation according to Makati Police chief, Sr. Supt. Manuel Lukban, showed that the truck lost its brakes at about 2 p.m., hitting the six cars and four motorcycles, one of which was driven by James Bond Gallarte Cuaterno of Barangay Kali, Novaliches, Quezon City.

The MMDA had earlier created motorcycle lanes along EDSA, Commonwealth Avenue and along the Diosdado Macapagal Highway in Parañaque.