MANILA: In order to reduce accidents involving motorcycles, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced that it is considering adding more motorcycle lanes to Metro Manila's main thoroughfares this year.

In a press release, MMDA Deputy Chairperson Frisco San Juan Jr. acknowledged the success of establishing a dedicated motorcycle lane along Commonwealth Avenue.

According to San Juan, MMDA will explore the possibilities of implementing the plan as a traffic management solution on main thoroughfares in the region.

“Ang motorcycle lane, pinag-aaralan natin, dahil naging matagumpay sa Commonwealth, ay maaari pong gawin na rin natin, pag-aralan ang pagsasagawa nito sa iba’t ibang major roads din po dito sa ating Kamaynilaan (We are studying the establishment of motorcycle lanes following its success along Commonwealth Avenue. We could review and implement this scheme in different major roads across Metro Manila),” San Juan stated.

In 2022, the Metro Manila Council, composed of Metro Manila mayors, agreed in principle to establish a dedicated motorcycle lane on Commonwealth Avenue to reduce traffic accidents along the major road.

The right outermost lane of Commonwealth Avenue was established as an exclusive bicycle lane under MMDA Resolution No. 22-15.

The second and third lanes of the same avenue are reserved exclusively for public utility vehicles (buses, UV Express, and jeepneys) and motorcycles, respectively.

All other motor vehicles go on the remaining lanes.

1-Rider Partylist Representative Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez stressed the significance of providing riders with exclusive lanes because they are one of the most exposed and vulnerable road users.

According to data from the MMDA Traffic Engineering Center's Road Crash Statistics, there were 1,010 motorcycle-related crashes along Commonwealth Avenue between January and August of 2022.

The data also revealed that  nine of the 1,010 cases were fatal, 557 were non-fatal, and 444 caused damage to properties.

Photo from Philippine News Agency

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