DPWH chief supports MMDA’s motorcycle lanes

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Tuesday found an ally in Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson who voiced his support for the agency’s designation of a motorcycle lane on Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City.

According to Singson, putting “delineators” on the major thoroughfare was one of the road safety recommendations made by a group of Australian and South Korean experts.

“If you recall, we have adopted Commonwealth [Avenue] for the international road assessment program and the [finding was that] it was too wide. Vehicles were going too fast and it [was] 100 percent hazardous to pedestrians and motorcycle users,” he said at a forum in Quezon City.

“Included in the recommendations of the road experts was to put delineators,” Singson added.

The other day, a group of motorcycle riders asked the Quezon City Regional Trial Court to stop the MMDA from implementing the traffic scheme because it placed them at greater risk.

“The MMDA said they are looking at the best option. Let us give some support to MMDA. Putting a motorcycle lane and bike lane makes sense especially if you have a wide road like Commonwealth,” Singson said.

Meanwhile, MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino welcomed the case filed by the Motorcycle Rights Association “with [the] end view of fine-tuning [the policy].”

At the same time, however, he insisted that the new measure was very “helpful to the public” and aimed at instilling discipline among motorists.

Tolentino added the policy was still on a trial period which would last for about one to two months. It would then be subjected to an evaluation and refinement should there be a need, he said.

According to him, the designation of motorcycle lanes on Commonwealth Avenue and Macapagal Avenue in Quezon City has led to a significant decrease in the number of motorcycle-related accidents.

Tolentino said that from an average of 26 to 42 a week, the figure went down to just one with the implementation of the new traffic policy.