Use of motorcycle lanes on EDSA starts February 14

Starting February 14 (Tuesday), the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority will enforce the use of motorcycle lanes along Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue.

According to Chairman Francis Tolentino, a one week dry-run will be observed. Violators will not be issued traffic violation tickets but will be required to undergo a 15-minute road safety seminar at designated areas such as Roxas Boulevard, Orense, White Plains, Timog, and Quezon Avenue.

Heart-shaped stickers bearing the MMDA logo and the phrases "Certified Motorcycle Riders" and "Disiplinado Ako" will be given to apprehended riders who complete the seminar.

The designated motorcycle lane shall be the fourth lane from the right sidewalk and shall run the length of Edsa from Monumento, Caloocan City to SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City, and vice versa.

The lanes are "non-exclusive", which means that private vehicles may also use them.

"I am appealing to the private motorists using the motorcycle lanes to observe maximum tolerance for motorcycle riders to avoid any accident," Tolentino said.

The establishment of the Edsa motorcycle lanes is based on Memorandum Circular 12-01 Series of 2012 approved by the Metro Manila Council last month.

Tolentino said the implementation of the motorcycle lanes is necessary to promote a more orderly flow of traffic along the major thoroughfare and reduce the number of fatal accidents involving motorcycles.

Motorcycle riders may deviate from the motorcycle lanes when making a turn or u-turn at authorized intersections and u-turn slots, in which case they are to gradually shift lanes not less than 200 meters away from the turning point, while making the appropriate signals.

Latest statistics show the number of motorcycles traversing Edsa daily was 6,559 for the northbound lane and 5,173 for the southbound lane, representing a 19% from 2010.

Last year, the Authority also implemented similar motorcycle lanes along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City and Macapagal Boulevard in Pasay and Parañaque City. - MMDA — ARA