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MMDA to implement EDSA motorcycle lanes starting Feb. 14

TopGear.com.ph Philippine Car News - MMDA to implement EDSA motorcycle lanes starting February 14

Starting tomorrow, February 14, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will enforce the use of a designated motorcycle lane along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA).

The MMDA has designated the fourth lane from the sidewalk as the motorcycle lane and it will run the length of EDSA from Monumento in Caloocan City to SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City, and vice versa. Like the motorcycle lanes on Commonwealth Avenue and Macapagal Boulevard, the motorcycle lane on EDSA is not exclusive to motorcycles. Private vehicles may also use it, prompting MMDA chairman FrancisTolentino to ask motorists to be more cautious on the road.

"I am appealing to the private motorists using the motorcycle lanes to observe maximum tolerance for motorcycle riders to avoid any accident," said Tolentino. 

Tolentino added that, like how the motorcycle lanes were first used on Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City and Macapagal Boulevard in Pasay and Parañaque City in October 2011, a one week dry-run will be observed. Violators who are apprehended during the dry run will not be issued traffic violation tickets; instead, they are required to attend a 15-minute road safety seminar at designated areas along Roxas Boulevard, Orense, White Plains, Timog and Quezon Avenue. Motorcyclists who complete the seminar will then be given heart-shaped stickers bearing the MMDA logo and the phrases "Certified Motorcycle Riders" and "Disiplinado Ako".

The MMDA also clarified that motorcycle riders may deviate from the motorcycle lanes only when they are making a turn or u-turn at authorized intersections and u-turn slots. In the process of doing so, they are advised to gradually shift lanes at least 200 meters away from the turning point while making the appropriate signals.

In preparation for the motorcycle lane's implementation on EDSA, the MMDA started putting up signs over the metro's main thoroughfare advising motorcyclists where the lane is last January.

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  • mindkinetic Feb 13 2012 @ 02:58pm
     
    the motorcycle lane is one viable move to 1. avoid accidents involving motorcycles. 2. may discourage crime such as "assasin in tandems" 3. dedicated lane for motorcycles will improve the chances of spotting unregistered " colorum " bikes thumbs up on this one.
        1
  • gogogo Feb 13 2012 @ 05:27pm
     
    dapat parusahan din yung mga sasakyan na umaagaw sa motorcycle lane. lalo na yung mga jeep at bus. hindi ako nagmomotor pero sa tingin ko unfair naman na motorcycle riders lang ang pinaparusahan. hahaha!
       
  • sealander Feb 14 2012 @ 02:24am
     
    Why call it a motorcycle lane when other vehicles can use that lane? Going with this logic does it mean that vehicles can use a bicycle lane? In other countries when there's a motorcycle lane it is for the exclusive use of motorcycles. Try passing through roads with motorcycle lane (commonwealth, Macapagal) and you can see cars weaving in and out of this lane. Just imagine a bunch of motorcycles on that lane and a car, bus, jeep suddenly swerves in. Just one motorcycle goes down,,,it's an accident waiting to happen. It's useless appealing for maximum tolerance. Drivers here are reckless. Be it motorcycles, private or for hire vehicles.

    The problem with MMDA they try to copy traffic solutions without doing any study. One example the speed limit at certain roads. 60kph is a bit slow. Maybe they patterned it with the speed limit on U.S. roads which is 55mph. That's MPH which is 88KPH.

    The best thing to do is educate the drivers. Driving lessons must be integrated in our school system. So that they will learn while still young..Remember the adage..."You can't teach an old dog new tricks". Reform the Licensing system. I once saw a feature in television where a blind man was able to get a driver's license. Go to any LTO office and see for yourself how they conduct practical exams for drivers license applicants. They just instruct the applicant to start the engine and move the vehicle forward for about 20meters and go back in reverse to where it started. Viola your license is approved.
       
  • fortis Feb 14 2012 @ 01:38pm
     
    the motorcycle lane should be placed in the inner lanes or bus lanes. Damn! ang hirap nanaman dumiskarte sa EDSA dahil nasa middle lane sila. Yung ang nakakaasar eh. Call me biased but hell, most of them are uneducated drivers and I really hate them.

    Sa big bike owners lang ako may respeto becasue they know how to use our roads properly.
       
  • sealander Feb 15 2012 @ 11:32am
     
    Education/enforcement is still the best solution. Most drivers here are undisciplined/uneducated. It's pretty obvious. Everyone wants to get ahead of the other. As if everyone is in a race. Most drivers here learned to drive on their own (tinatakas ang car ni erpats), thru friends, relatives, etc. No formal driving education. Those that enroll in driving schools...what can you learn in 4 days?

    Not all big bike owners are disciplined/educated riders. And not all small bike riders are undisciplined/uneducated. What if a small bike owners gets the chance to own a big bike? Does that make him a disciplined/educated rider? It's not what you ride it's the one riding.
       
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