THE DEPARTMENT of Transportation (DOTr) together with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) formally inaugurated on Tuesday the country’s longest bike lane network the Metro Manila Bike Lane Network for dedicated, safe and quality bike lanes for all cyclists.
The bike lane network in Metro Manila has an overall length of 313 kilometers and cuts through 12 cities: Pasig, Marikina, Quezon City, Caloocan, Manila, San Juan, Mandaluyong, Makati, Pasay, Las Piñas, Parañaque, and Taguig. The lanes also measure between 1.5 to 3 meters in width depending on the road’s configuration.
The Metro Manila Bike Lane Network forms part of the completed 497 kilometers of bike lanes created in Metro Cebu and in Metro Davao.
“Now, there’s a safer place for our cyclists at the main roads. This is also a great step to promote our culture and discipline,” said DOTr Secretary Art Tugade in his message delivered by DOTr Assistant Secretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark Steven Pastor.
In his message, the transport chief clarified that no orange traffic cones were used as lane separators on the bike lanes as falsely claimed by critics of the project.
The transportation chief pointed out that the Metro Manila bike lanes use concrete delineators and flexible rubber bollards to separate the bikers from motor vehicles.
The bike lanes also make use of white and green pavement markings using thermoplastic paint, bollards bolted to the ground, bike symbols and signages, solar-powered road studs, and bike racks.
Pastor added that the bike lanes maximize road space as these can accommodate 1,250 cyclists per hour for every meter of road space.
The transport official also shared that other parts of Metro Manila will also have their own bike lanes soon.
DPWH Secretary Mark Villar said the bike lanes will be a great help to workers and commuters in Metro Manila, who are on the active transport in going to their workplaces and other destinations amid the pandemic.
“The role of public transportation is crucial to both the mobility of workers and the economic stability of the country. Born out of the resourcefulness and dedication of workers despite the pandemic, active transportation such as cycling became the obvious solution,” Sec. Villar said.
Meanwhile, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Metro Manila Council (MMC), likewise, expressed their support and commitment to the project as they cited the presence of bike lanes in the National Capital Region as a “game changer.”
“Because of this bike lane, it’s a game-changer. It will change everything – the mindset of everything. This is really a great project,” MMDA Chairman Benjamin Abalos Jr. said.