MAKE It Safer Movement, a branch of commuter group Move As One Coalition, alleged that the Ayala Group is “ignoring” the safety of commuters and cyclists, as it supposedly rejected the proposed safety interventions for active transport infrastructure.
Cristina Batalla, a representative of Make It Safer Movement, said Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) “did not honor their written commitment to study a full protected bike lane.”
“ALI ignored the data and testimonies. ALI opposed transparency and the participation of key stakeholders. The bike lanes are narrower, traffic enforcers remain hostile to cyclists and pedestrians, and more and more people are getting injured,” she said.
Batalla explained that a technical working group (TWG) was formed, after the Make It Safer Movement protested against the planned conversion of Ayala Avenue bike lanes to sharrows—a mixed-use road for bicycles and motor vehicles.
The group then developed a “comprehensive proposal for effective, low-cost, and scalable interventions addressing conflict areas on Ayala Avenue, including loading zones and intersections.”
These, Batalla said, are “needed because the plastic bollards alone aren’t enough.”
The group proposed to test different scenarios, including a 3-meter width lane, but claimed that ALI “resisted it” initially.
“We did eventually conduct studies to asses the impact of the current configuration—a 1.5-meter lane. A commuter survey, bike lane count, and modal share study. The results all substantiate the need to make changes as soon as possible,” she said.
She claimed that ALI “agreed to maintain the protected bike lanes and to implement street design solutions through a technical working group.”
“Despite all these data, supported by photos and testimonies about the safety concerns, Ayala remains hesitant to any changes to the bike lane configurations,” Batalla said.
Thus, Make It Safer Movement will hold a protest at the Ayala Triangle on Thursday.
Sought for comment, Ayala Corp. Brand and Reputation Management Head Cathy Bengzon said the group is actively working on improving the bike lanes to make them more suitable for cyclists.
“The protected bike lanes along the main thoroughfares of the Makati Central Business District have been preserved and strengthened with enhanced safety infrastructure based on inputs from the biking community. Installation of additional bollards and signage along the route are scheduled in the coming week,” she said.
Furthermore, Bengzon said, the Makati Parking Authority is actively enforcing regulations and issuing citations to motor vehicles that infringe upon the bike lanes.
“Recognizing the changing needs of the community, we are currently conducting a thorough study to rationalize our roads. This study aims to determine the most effective strategies to serve all stakeholders within our estates, considering the diverse needs of pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, and other users and the limited road space available. By undertaking this analysis, we strive to create a well-balanced road network that optimizes safety, accessibility, and convenience for everyone in the Makati Central Business District,” she said.