Quezon City seeks MMDA nod for Commonwealth bike lane

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City government has asked the Metro Manila Development Authority to approve its proposal to include Commonwealth Avenue in the MMDA’s bike lane network project.

“Commonwealth Avenue is one of the major thoroughfares in our city so it is fitting to include it in our bike lane network,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said in a statement yesterday.

The MMDA is in charge of national highways such as Commonwealth Avenue.

Belmonte earlier directed the immediate implementation of the project, which seeks to expand the bike lanes in the city from 55 kilometers in 2018 to 161 kilometers this year.

The city government said the first phase, which involves the improvement and repair of existing bike lanes and placement of temporary and semi-permanent traffic separation devices, has already begun in order to ensure that more bike lanes are operational by July.

New bike lane routes have also been identified to improve route connectivity, while route signages and bike parking areas will also be included in the network.

Assistant city administrator for operations Alberto Kimpo said the city is planning for the bike lanes to be “integrated with the planned bus system routes and pedestrian network.”

In 2017, Quezon City passed a road safety ordinance that covers bicycle riders.