DOTr: Bike lanes along Edsa will be fast-tracked

THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) has vowed that it will fast-track the construction of bicycle lanes along Edsa.

“Secretary (Arthur) Tugade and MMDA (Metro Manila Development Authority) Chairman (Danilo) Lim decided to fast-track the establishment of the protected bike lanes on the roads and not on sidewalks, as more people are shifting to this active mode of transport, amid the crisis situation due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” read the post.

The DOTr said the construction will begin Saturday, June 13,

The agency earlier bared its plans to coordinate with local government units (LGUs) in prioritizing bike lanes, as most public transportation remains non-operational under a community quarantine.

“Isa pa hong binibigyan namin ng pansin talaga at pinagtutulungan kasama ang MMDA at DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) ay ang paglalagay po ng tamang bike lane, tamang imprastruktura sa ating mga bike lanes,” DOTr Assistant Secretary Giovanni Lopez said in a June 5 Laging Handa public briefing.

“Ito rin ay through the coordination with our respective LGUs ‘no. Tayo po ay talagang hinihikayat din natin ang LGUs natin na magbigay sila ng espasyo para sa ating bike lanes. Ito iyong tinatawag nating active ‘no, active mobility,” he added.

In the Philippines, bicycle sales surged after the enhanced community quarantine has been eased in Metro Manila, where some workers have been forced to go back to work despite having limited access to public transportation.

Tugade said earlier that there will only be 15 bus boarding areas along Edsa under the general community quarantine (GCQ).

Five of these boarding areas may be accessed from the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) stations, and 10 from footbridges that will be installed under MRT railway tracks.

He said boarding from the sidewalks of Edsa will no longer be possible.

For people who use trains, Tugade said the Light Rail Transit (LRT) 1 and 2, and MRT 3 will be available but in a limited and calculated capacity.

“It will be an average of 10 to 12 percent on LRT and MRT while the PNR (Philippine National Railways) will operate on 35 percent capacity,” Tugade said.

“Let us not expect train operations to be 100 percent. As I said, we have to balance our mandate to provide transportation with our responsibility to help prevent the spread of the virus,” he added. (Jove Moya/SunStar Philippines)

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