The Metro Manila Development Authority on Thursday announced it was considering designating a separate and exclusive lane for motorcycles once the Road Diet traffic scheme pushed through along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue.
The Road Diet proposal seeks to reduce the width of the lanes along Edsa by up to three meters to create a new lane for motorcycles.
At present, Edsa has five to six lanes, with an average of 3.5 to 3.7 meters width per lane.
“Even if we narrow the roadways, it is still safe for the motorists,” said MMDA general manager Jose Arturo Garcia Jr. following a meeting conducted by the Metro Manila Council, the agency’s policy-making body.
Garcia said the agency was considering converting the new lane to “exclusive motorcycle lane,” right next to the yellow lanes, which are only for public utility buses.
The existing motorcycle lane or blue lane along Edsa is non-exclusive, which means that private vehicles may also use them.
During the MMC meeting in Makati City, Metro Manila mayors approved the drafting of a resolution to study the Road Diet plan.
MMDA was tasked to conduct traffic evaluation studies to determine the appropriate speed for the proposed 3.05-meter lanes.
“A technical working group will be created. We shall also invite the stakeholders to know their take on the Road Diet plan,” said Garcia.
Based on the studies of the Department of Public Works and Highways, roads can be reduced to 3.05 meters.
Under the plan, Garcia said Edsa roadways would be segregated accordingly: two lanes are exclusive to passenger buses, one lane for motorcycles, and three remaining lanes are for private vehicles.
Other ideas considered for the creation of new lane are wider sidewalks, pedestrian islands, crossways, bike lanes, and green space.
