MMDA eyes shared bike, motorcycle lane along Commonwealth Avenue

SEE HOW THEY COMPLY Authorities may say the No-Contact Apprehension Policy is having the expected effect on road discipline, as shown by this photo taken on Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City, in May 2025. — NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced on Friday its proposal to divide the bike lane along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City to share it with the motorcycles.

In a dialogue with different motorcycle-riding communities on Friday, MMDA Chairman Don Artes said the proposal aims to decongest traffic in motorcycle lanes.

“It would be beneficial for everyone to divide the bike lane, because right now it is at five meters. If we give the 2.5 meters to motorcyclists, that would be an additional two lanes that could be given to them,” Artes said in Filipino.

“So our proposal is to divide it. Anyway, the counterpointing bikes can still fit in two and a half meters. The bike lane will not be removed; it will just be divided. It will be reduced,” he emphasized mostly in Filipino.

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According to the MMDA chair, they are still studying whether they will share the 2.5 meters of bike lane with all motorcycle riders or whether they will only limit it to the transportation network vehicle services or motorcycle taxis.

In order to measure how soon the proposal may take its way into implementation, Artes said the MMDA will visit the local government unit of Quezon City and the Department of Transportation next week to seek their approval.

“The bike lane is their program, [so] we need to get their approval regarding this proposal,” said Artes partly in Filipino.

He added that the agency is also looking to discuss the proposal with the bike groups next week to get their side.

“Hopefully by next month, when everyone agrees, especially the government agencies and LGUs of Quezon City, maybe we can implement that,” Artes said in a mix of Filipino and English.

“We also need to address the concern on infrastructure regarding how to set it up if it were to be implemented so that the bike is also protected from the motorcycle and the motorcycles from the buses because they are next to each other,” he pointed out mostly in Filipino.

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A biker’s sentiment

In an interview with the media on Friday, Mia Bunao, a bike commuter for 23 years, lamented the said proposal of the MMDA.

“If possible, please don’t divide it, because the reason it was made that wide is because that’s what’s needed for that kind of area,” Bunao said in Filipino.

“Commonwealth was formerly known as ‘Killer Highway’ so that space is for vulnerable road users, for cyclists. If that’s reduced, it’s pretty difficult,” she added partly in English.

Artes said the agency will also call for a meeting or dialogue with the bicycle groups by next week to hear their side regarding the proposal. /jpv