Yes, the plight of our country’s bikers is a serious one. But this, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) says, is not a valid reason for groups to disregard the law.
The agency has made it known that members of bicycle groups who continue setting up makeshift bike lanes on major thoroughfares will be fined P1,000 for obstruction. The announcement comes after one group placed improvised barriers along Commonwealth Avenue to separate cyclists from motorized vehicles.
According to MMDA spokesperson Celine Pialago, the agency is not prohibiting cyclists from using major thoroughfares like EDSA and Commonwealth Avenue. It is simply reminding bikers to utilize sidewalks in the meantime to avoid accidents.
“Hindi po namin pinagbabawalan ang mga bikers na bumaybay ng mga major thoroughfares, lalo na po na limitado ang public transportation sa ilalim ng general community quarantine,” Pialago said in a statement.
“Kami lang po ay patuloy na nagpapaalala sa mga bikers na gamitin po muna pansamantala ang mga sidewalks ng mga major thoroughfares tulad ng EDSA at Commonwealth para iwas po tayo sa disgrasya.
“Sana po ay magsilbing aral sa iba pong grupo o individual na hindi po maaaring basta mag-impovise ng specific lanes sa mga kalsadang wala pong permit o pahintulot mula po sa MMDA o sa inyong local government unit.”
The official added that the MMDA is already coordinating with the Philippine National Police (PNP) to improve visibility along Commonwealth Avenue to prevent groups from putting up barriers in the future. She said that if groups want to put up any special lanes along major thoroughfares, they may reach out to the MMDA or their respective local government units (LGU) for assistance.
“Hindi po namin pinipigilan ang mga ibang bike organizations na magsagawa ng activities kagaya nito. Sila lamang po ay pinipigilan naming mapahamak. Mainam po sana na magkaroon tayo ng tamang koordinasyon sa bawat ahensya o sa local government unit,” she stressed.
“Tandaan po natin na sa tuwing magsasagawa po ng bike movement, dumadaan po ito sa masusing pag-aaral, at kung kayo naman po ay papayagan ng MMDA kami po ay nagpo-provide ng signages, bollards, naglalatag din po kami ng mga enforcers para po umalalay sa inyo. Mga mga dine-deploy din po tayo na mga ambulansya dahil ang mga ganung uri po ng activities ay hindi ligtas para sa inyo.”
What do you think of groups putting up improvised bike lanes along major thoroughfares? Are they justified? Let us know what you think in the comments.
