MMDA lauds QC gov't for 'bike lane' plan

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Thursday expressed full support to the plan of the Quezon City government to put up designated bike lanes in the city’s streets.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said he is hoping that other local government units in Metro Manila will follow Quezon City’s example to encourage the use of environment-friendly bicycles.

"We laud Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista and the city council in coming up with this bike lane program. Biking helps reduce air pollution, promotes good health, and decrease the public’s dependence on motorized transportation,” Tolentino said.

Quezon City 3rd District Councilor Allan Benedict Reyes has filed a resolution pushing for the clear marking by the MMDA and the city government’s Department of Public Order and Safety (DPOS) of bike lanes around the city.

Reyes pointed out that designating bicycle lanes would ensure the safety of local bikers and encourage the use of the alternative mode of transportation by the city’s residents, thereby decongesting Quezon City streets.

Tolentino said the MMDA is willing to offer technical advice to Quezon City in identifying secondary roads suitable for bike lanes.

“We will help them in any way we can,” the MMDA chief said.

Under Tolentino’s helm, MMDA promoted the use of bicycles among commuters by putting up several bike lanes in Manila, Makati, and Marikina, and Quezon City.

The MMDA had installed bike lanes along EDSA, from Magallanes to Ayala Avenue; University Avenue up to Tandang Sora in Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City; Remedios Circle up to Paraiso ng Batang Maynila on M. Adriatico Street in Manila; and from Santolan LRT-2 station to Imelda Avenue along Marcos Highway in Marikina City.