The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) started the "dry run" implementation of the exclusive motorcycle lanes along Commonwealth Avenue on March 9, 2023. 

The exclusive motorcycle lane is located on the third lane from the sidewalk of Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City. It spans from Elliptical Road to Doña Carmen.

"The dry run is meant to familiarize motorcycle riders traversing Commonwealth Avenue on the said policy," said MMDA acting chair Don Artes. 

"We will have a full deployment of MMDA traffic enforcers and we will be assisted by the local government of Quezon City," he added.

Insufficient markings

I took a trip along Commonwealth Avenue yesterday and noticed that there are some parts of the supposed exclusive motorcycle lane are not clearly marked.

This might cause some confusion among motorcyclists who are not familiar with the area.

There’s no need to worry yet, though, as MMDA stated that they will only begin apprehending violators from March 20, 2023 onwards. Violators will be fined ₱500.

Artes explained that the implementation of the motorcycle lane aims to reduce the number of fatal road crashes involving motorcycles and to improve traffic flow on the said road.

5 crashes a day

Based on MMDA's Metro Manila Accident Reporting and Analysis System (MMARAS), a total of 1,686 motorcycle-related road crash incidents along Commonwealth Avenue were recorded for the year 2022.

This equates to nearly five crashes a day on the major thoroughfare last year.

Of the total figure, 13 resulted in fatalities, 930 in non-fatal injuries and 743 in property damage

Based on the annual average daily traffic count conducted by the MMDA Traffic Engineering Center, a total of 154,639 motorcycles and 10,134 public utility vehicles traverse Commonwealth Avenue.

Under MMDA Resolution No. 22-15, the right outermost lane of Commonwealth Avenue shall be designated as an exclusive bicycle lane while the second lane is the exclusive Public Utility Vehicles (PUV) lane.

The remaining lanes of Commonwealth Avenue shall be utilized by all other motor vehicles.

The motorcycle community’s opinion on the implementation of motorcycle lanes along major thoroughfares is split at the moment. Some think that it would be safer for riders to have an exclusive lane while some claim otherwise, even viewing it as discriminatory.

So I thought I’d go for another ride along Commonwealth Avenue today and see the actual situation.

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