MMDA opens Makati-EDSA bike lane

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Thursday opened a one-kilometer bike lane from Magallanes to Ayala Avenue along the Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA).

 

"We wanted to have bike lanes in the roads of Makati to further promote the healthy practice of using bicycles as every day means of transportation,” MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said.

 

Tolentino said bike enthusiasts may ride their own bikes on the bike lane but the public can also use bikes provided by the MMDA for free under a “bike sharing system.”

 

Under this system anyone who wants to ride an MMDA bike on the EDSA bike lane must first register at the logbook of MMDA personnel at designated control areas along Magallanes, Pasay Road and Ayala Avenue.

 

Users of the MMDA bikes should present a valid identification card to be issued a plastic card indicating the bike number. The issued card will then be surrendered at the control area where they will exit.

 

Tolentino said the Makati-EDSA bike lanes have been installed with traffic directional signs and safety features to aid bike riders as the bike lane is designed to be shared with pedestrians.

 

Earlier, the MMDA installed similar bike lanes along the University Avenue up to Tandang Sora in Commonwealth, Quezon City and at the Remedios Circle up to Paraiso ng Batang Maynila on M. Adriatico Street.

 

The MMDA also opened a bike lane from the Santolan LRT-2 station to Imelda Avenue along the Marcos Highway in Marikina City.

 

Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay, meanwhile, said the opening of the Makati-EDSA bike lane will encourage a healthy lifestyle among city residents as it also aims to reduce the level of pollution.

 

“Of course we would like a healthy environment, a healthy lifestyle. We have pinpointed certain areas, like Jupiter Extension near Metropolitan towards South Avenue, then Kalayaan, JP Rizal, and portions of Buendia," Binay said.

 

Binay said the city wants to have more bike lanes and other environment-friendly transportation systems.

 

"We would like the city to become smaller. We want people to walk, use other modes of transportation like e-jeepney (electric-powered jeepneys),” Binay said.