MANILA: The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is conducting a dry run for the implementation of the exclusive motorcycle lanes along Commonwealth Avenue from today, March 9, until March 19.

This was announced by MMDA Acting Chairman Don Artes at the official launch event yesterday at the UP-Ayala Technohub footbridge in Quezon City.

According to the MMDA, the exclusive motorcycle lane is located at the third lane from the sidewalk of Commonwealth Avenue, from Elliptical Road to Doña Carmen and vice versa.

Artes stated that the purpose of the dry run is to familiarize the motorcycle riders travelling across Commonwealth Avenue with the policy.

He noted that no motorists will be apprehended throughout the dry run.

Artes added that the implementation of the motorcycle lane seeks to reduce the number of fatal road accidents involving motorcycles and to ease traffic congestion along the major thoroughfare.

According to the MMDA's Metro Manila Accident Reporting and Analysis System, there were 1,686 motorcycle-related road accidents along Commonwealth Avenue in 2022. 13 of those incidents resulted in fatal injuries, 930 in non-fatal injuries, and 743 in damage to property.

According to the MMDA Traffic Engineering Center's yearly average daily traffic count, Commonwealth Avenue is traversed by 154,639 motorcycles and 10,134 public utility vehicles.

Artes said that the full implementation of motorcycle lanes along Commonwealth Avenue will begin on March 20. Violators will then be fined P500.

1-Rider Partylist Representative Bonifacio Bosita lauded the initiative and expressed his appreciation for putting the motorcycle riders in priority, saying, “I am thankful to the leadership of chairman Artes as he prioritized the safety of motorcycle riders. As an advocate and representative of 1-Rider Partylist, I am appealing to all motorcycle riders to maintain order and discipline on the roads.”

Representative Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez also expressed support for the MMDA's initiatives to make Commonwealth Avenue more rider-friendly.

“We have high hopes for the success of the implementation of exclusive motorcycle lanes,” he said.

Under MMDA Resolution No. 22-15, the right outermost lane of Commonwealth Avenue serves as an exclusive bicycle lane, while the second and third lanes are designated as exclusive public utility vehicles (jeeps, UV Express, buses) and motorcycle lanes, respectively. All other motor vehicles must use the remaining lanes.

Photo from Philippine News Agency

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