The Makati City government has backpedaled on its move to convert the protected bike lane on Ayala Avenue.
This came after various cycling and alternative mobility groups held a protest against the measure last weekend.
“The Biking Community is an important part of the commuters we serve and we value their sentiments,” the Makati City government said in a Februaryu 14, 2023 Facebook post.
“We have noted all constructive comments regarding the conversion of Ayala Avenue bike lanes, particularly those that are related to safety,” it added. “We agree that the safety of all road users should be given utmost importance. As such, we will enhance measures to further protect bikers.”
The local government added that it will instead implement the conversion on March 6, 2023.
No to ‘sharrows’
Groups were against Makati City’s move to turn the exclusive bike lane, which is located on the right-most lane and is protected by hundreds of bollards, into a shared lane.
Also known as a “sharrow,” the revised lane would remove the bollards and mix bicycles and personal mobility devices (PMD) with other vehicles. The local government had earlier said the measure would accommodate the higher demand for public transport.
“Prior to the pandemic or up to early 2019, a total of 799 buses were authorized by LTFRB to ply Ayala Ave,” Makati City said in a February 11, 2023 Facebook post, referring to public-transport regulator Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
“By Jan 2023, this number has been increased to 1,073 or a 34% increase due to the anticipated increase in commuters,” it added. “As an indication, commuter traffic at the One Ayala terminal has increased from about 10k per day in Nov 2022 to about 37k per day as of Jan 2023.”
Deadly move
But alternative-mobility advocates told AutoFun Philippines that converting the bike lane on Ayala Avenue, which is one of the city’s major thoroughfares, would endanger vulnerable road users.
“Safer ang protected bicycle lanes, especially for those just starting out to bike commute and it encourages those who are still considering to commute by active transport,” said cyclist Mia Bunao, who is also known as “Kalyetista.”
“Just riding through other existing sharrows, you’ll see how motorists don’t quite respect its purpose,” she added. “They do not really yield or give people on bicycles respect.”
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority reported in its 2021 Metro Manila Accident Reporting and Analysis System that there were 2,844 road crashes involving bikes, e-bikes, and pedicabs.
Among this figure, 35 were fatal and 1,969 resulted in injuries.
Electric-kick scooter commuter Nico Guarte, who joined last weekend’s protest, said Ayala Avenue is one of the safest ways to commute from the City of Manila to Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City and called the local government’s move “a step backward.”
“Bike lanes in Ayala Avenue have served personal mobility riders, including cyclists, assurance of their safety given the fact that they also share with major public transportations like buses and jeepneys,” he said.
“Still no perfect way of integrating PMDs to the road, so I’m satisfied with their deferral and they hopefully listen to the commuters,” Guarte added.
Pioneering city
Bike lanes in various cities came about following public-transport restrictions imposed by the Philippine government following the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020.
More people, especially workers in essential sectors, relied on bicycles and other PMDs to commute during the pandemic.
Bunao said she felt particularly disappointed because she and other alternative-mobility advocates were involved in stakeholder sessions and events with the Makati City government.
“When the short protected bike lanes in Makati were set up, it seemed to promise safer roads for people who commute by bicycle,” she said.
“The possibility for expansion seemed to herald that, finally, active transport was truly supported and embraced by Makati,” Bunao added. “Its [planned] removal affirms what we at Kalyetista and Explore Your City on a Bicycle fear most: protected bicycle lanes are disappearing faster than they are built.”
Deferral hopefully permanent
Guarte said groups like Electric Kick Scooter PH have reached out to the Makati City local government to discuss a better solution.
“For the moment, they’re setting a meeting with the commuter groups since [last] Sunday, but the movement is still going,” he said.
Bunao said she hopes the deferred conversion doesn’t push through.
“We hope the deferral isn’t just a change of date of implementation of the removal of the protected bicycle lanes, but a reconsideration to altogether not push through with the removal,” she said.
Do you think the government should create more protected lanes for bikes and PMDs?
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Source: No ‘sharrows’ for now: Makati City defers conversion of Ayala Avenue protected bike lane