‘Bike lanes should follow standards’
You cannot hasten the project just because Bayanihan 1 is to end in June. For me, I am not going to do it haphazardly
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chair Benhur Abalos on Tuesday stressed that bicycle lanes on major streets and highways should be anchored on rules and international safety standards.
Through this statement, Abalos clarified that he is not against the bike lanes being pushed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Transportation (DoTr).
The project, however, came to him as a surprise very soon after his appointment to the MMDA.
During an interview with Daily Tribune’s “Straight Talk”, Abalos disclosed that two weeks after he assumed office on 12 January, he was briefed about the bike lane project that would be funded by money from the Bayanihan to Heal as One.
“We were all surprised when this was raised, during our meeting, this was raised the third week of January. They told us the bike lanes should be finished by June, or else the funding will be returned to the government coffers,” he said.
Abalos added that he should not be forced to comply with the deadline, saying the safety of the public is more important.
“For me it’s the safety of the bikers that is more important. Number one, we must adhere to the international safety standards, meaning we should ensure that these bike lanes will have little elevation, just like a pedestrian sidewalk,” Abalos added.a
He noted that vehicles in EDSA are speeding more at than 40 kilometers per hour, exposing bikers to danger.
“My point is, you cannot hasten the project just because Bayanihan 1 is to end in June. For me, I am not going to do it haphazardly. If there is an accident, it will be disastrous,” he noted.
As a support to the bike lanes, Abalos tasked the MMDA to conduct improvements on the project of then chairman Bayani Fernando along Commonwealth Avenue.
“It can be possible if it’s off the road, on the sidewalk. If you are familiar with the bike lane in Commonwealth — within the UP area, I think it is during the time of chairman Bayani Fernando — we are now improving the bike lane,” he noted.
These, he said, are just part of his suggestions to ensure the safety of the bikers.
Abalos added that the DPWH should also take into consideration the possibility of bikers contributing to the traffic congestion in some areas.
“Right now, if you see the traffic, we are experiencing traffic although we are not yet on the normal days. Face-to-face classes are not yet being implemented. You will see the full extent of the traffic after six or eight months,” Abalos explained.
If there is an accident, it will be disastrous.
He said that the DPWH and DoTr can proceed with the bike lanes but maintained that the limited resources of the government should be used properly.
“With or without our suggestion, they can continue with that. It’s their project, it’s their money, we are just (making suggestions). So, it’s very unfair to say we are blocking the project. By all means. I bike every day, it is more for the safety of the bikers,” he stressed.