3-4 lanes within MC Lane, bike lane to cut in half
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) recently engaged with the motorcycle community through a public consultation to tackle concerns, including the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP), motorcycle lane regulations, and various aspects of traffic enforcement and penalties.
Among the key discussion points was the Motorcycle Lane (MC Lane) along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City. Riders who utilize this lane voiced strong criticisms, stating it has increased their rush-hour commute by up to an hour. They also characterized the lane as unsafe, noting that motorcyclists are often packed “like sardines,” riding shoulder-to-shoulder, which significantly heightens the risk of multi-rider accidents from even a minor mistake.
To resolve this, the MMDA has a couple of proposals, including subdividing the MC Lane into 3 lanes, as well as cutting the 5-meter bicycle lane in half to decongest the MC Lane.
MMDA Chairman Atty. Don Artes
“Yung sinasabing nagsi-siksikan, violation ng ‘No [lane splitting]’, pag-usapan po natin. Pwede bang, instead na magsik-sikan tayo, yung MC Lane hatiin natin sa 3, o 4 [na linya] para safe? Pag-usapan po natin,” said MMDA Chairman, Atty. Don Artes.
(The so-called crowding, violation of ‘No [lane splitting]’, let’s talk about it. Can we, instead of crowding together, divide the MC Lane into 3, or 4 [lanes] to be safe? Let’s talk about it.)
Options
The MMDA has presented four potential solutions to the motorcycle community regarding the ongoing issues with the MC Lane on Commonwealth Avenue.
The first option proposes reducing the existing bicycle lane’s width by half to create a wider and ‘more spacious’ MC Lane. Building on this, the second option expands on the first by reallocating one private vehicle lane to run alongside the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) lane, effectively shifting the MC Lane closer to the MRT-7 corridor.
The third proposal suggests the complete removal of the bicycle lane. The space gained would then be utilized by the PUV lane, which in turn would significantly widen the MC Lane to better accommodate the large volume of motorcycles traversing Commonwealth Avenue.
Finally, the fourth option involves cutting the 5-meter bicycle lane in half, dedicating this newly acquired space exclusively to motorcycles operating in the MC Taxi and courier industries. Motorcyclists not part of these sectors would be confined to the original, ‘old’ MC Lane.
The MC Lane along Commonwealth Avenue was reintroduced in 2023, with a reported 1,391 violators on its first day of implementation. The MMDA also maintains that big bikes (400cc and above motorcycles) are exempted from the MC Lane rule.
