A pedestrian lane is not a pedestrian lane in Cebu. But if you wish to cross the street, you are told to use one. Does that make sense?
Nothing makes sense anymore about the use of a pedestrian lane. You still have to take extra precautions because when the cars stop for you, the motorcycles may not.
This is not an expression of bias against motorcycle riders who are doing an honest job of bringing food to the family table and providing a service to commuters who need ways around road congestion at an affordable rate compared to metered taxis. This is about the lack of discipline on the road, particularly in respecting the rights of pedestrians.
There are video clips on social media showing a traffic law enforcer in another country armed with a plastic baseball bat, whacking the helmets of motorcyclists who block pedestrian lanes. In some cases, the enforcer even climbs on motorcycles in the way. It looks funny online, but the underlying problem is not.
The lack of discipline is not limited to Cebu or even the Philippines. Other countries face the same problem, but some have responded with creative, effective solutions.
Pedestrian lanes are supposed to be safe zones. Yet, there have been instances of pedestrians killed by speeding motorcycles that ignored markings on the road. There are many tragic examples of people fatally struck while crossing in a pedestrian lane. In Cebu, there are stories of students and office workers injured by motorcycles that refused to stop.
These are not isolated cases, and they happen often enough for people to be afraid even when they are crossing properly.
I myself almost became a victim when I treaded carefully the pedestrian lane, looking left and right more times than I was taught in kindergarten. I raised my hand to make sure drivers saw me and even made flashing gestures to get their attention. Cars stopped, but a motorcycle zoomed past them, into the pedestrian lane, and nearly hit me. The rider simply refused to take the cue as to why the cars had stopped. That wrong belief, that squeezing through the smallest spaces between cars past pedestrians is acceptable, has caused many accidents and deaths.
There should be stricter enforcement of rules through visible and consistent penalties. Those who violate the rules could face fines, suspension, or be required to perform community service. Like getting posted in pedestrian lanes to call out or push back motorcycles that get into the space.
Pedestrian lanes could also be raised, such as those in the Cebu Business Park, to force motorcycles and cars to slow down. Creative ways have worked elsewhere. In Vietnam, pedestrian lanes were painted with 3D illusions that appeared raised, forcing riders to slow down. In Tokyo, animated lights remind drivers to stop. Cebu can experiment with such solutions.
Let’s take back our pedestrian lanes for a safer Cebu.