RAINY SEASON READY. Motorcycles cruise along a proposed emergency lay-by for motorcycles under the Quezon Avenue flyover in Quezon City on Friday (May 31, 2024). During the inspection of the lay-by, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority acting chair Romando Artes said 14 lay-bys will be put up for motorcycles along Epifanio delos Santos Avenue, C-5, and Commonwealth Avenue. (PNA photos by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler)
MANILA – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is eyeing to put up at least 14 motorcycle lay-bys under flyovers across the National Capital Region (NCR) for the use of motorcyclists during rains or in emergency situations.
During the inspection of a motorcycle lay-by under the Quezon Avenue flyover in Quezon City, MMDA acting chair Romando Artes said these lay-bys are eyed as the solution to the plight of motorcycle riders in times of heavy rainfall.
The lay-bys would also address the issue of vehicular congestion caused by motorcycles stopping in the middle of the road to shelter under bridges and other overhead structures on NCR’s major roads.
“The establishment of emergency lay-bys along major thoroughfares aims to provide temporary shelter for motorcycle riders during rainfall,” Artes said.
These lay-bys are along the Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA), C5, and Commonwealth and expected to be open to the public by July.
Motorcycle taxi company Angkas has pledged to donate 10 bicycle repair shops that will be equipped with basic repair and vulcanizing tools.
“We have trained MMDA personnel who will assist motorcycle riders and cyclists who need road emergency assistance,” Artes said.
During the inspection, 1-Rider Party-list Rep. Bonifacio Bosita thanked the MMDA for addressing the needs of motorcycle riders.
“Umaasa po tayo na ang mga kapatid nating riders ay makikipag-cooperate sa MMDA sa pamamagitan ng pagrespeto sa kanilang traffic enforcers at pagsunod sa batas-trapiko (We expect our fellow motorcycle riders to cooperate with the MMDA by respecting their traffic enforcers and following traffic laws),” Bosita said.
In July last year, the MMDA began fining motorcycles that stop in the middle of major roads to shelter under bridges and other structures during heavy rains.
Aside from causing traffic congestion, these motorcycle riders are also in danger of being hit by other vehicles. (PNA)
The Philippine News Agency is a web-based newswire service of the Philippine government under the supervision of the News and Information Bureau (NIB) of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).