MMDA puts up bike lanes along EDSA in preparation for World Bicycle Day

However the MMDA has no final long-term plans yet to permanently implement bicycle lanes along EDSA

Photo from Inquirer.net

Have you ever wondered how a bike-friendly EDSA would look? 

On May 24, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) set up a trial run for a bike lane running along the country’s main thoroughfare. The MMDA utilized delineation cones for cyclists and electric scooter users to travel from White Plains Avenue to Boni Serrano Avenue in Quezon City. 

According to MMDA spokesperson Celine Pialago, the bike trial was in preparation for World Bicycle Day on June 3, which the organization plans to observe. But Pialago clarifies that the bike lanes are only temporary as the MMDA has no final long-term plans yet to implement bicycle lanes along EDSA. 

“Rest assured, however, that the agency has concrete plans regarding bike lanes. But it needs time for discussions, planning, and correct implementation because what we want are ‘protected’ bike lanes,” says Pialago. 

Still, there were more than 50 people who participated in the dry run. One of whom is 55-year-old Ricky De Vera who’s been commuting with his mountain bike for over seven years now. De Vera told Inquirer.net that he was impressed with the 1.3-kilometer cycling lane set up by the MMDA.

“This is such a good initiative,” he says. “We hope this will continue in the future, so people don’t have to be scared about biking in Manila.”

Currently, the MMDA is still in the planning phase of implementing “protected” bike lanes in Metro Manila. EDSA Evolution (a transport coalition group) is confident that the government will execute plans for bikes and scooters users once the COVID-19 pandemic subsides.

Here’s how some netizens and cycling advocates reacted: