Why does it feel like Carmageddon came early this year? Well, it’s going to get worse.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced its enforcers will start apprehending motorcycle riders who use the bicycle lanes along major thoroughfares beginning Monday, August 21, 2023.

Violators will be issued a traffic ticket for “Disregarding traffic sign,” with a corresponding fine of ₱ 1,000.

During the Covid-19 quarantine, motorized mobility was restricted. Four-wheeled vehicles where occupants share an enclosed cabin space were considered virus spreaders. Hence, motorcycles and bicycles were deemed the safer mode of transportation at the height of the pandemic.

MMDA created bicycle lanes to make travel more conducive for cyclists, while motorcycle riders had empty roads to themselves. Those were the days.

When travel restrictions were lifted, cars again filled the streets, and motorcycles were compelled to do lane-filtering like before. In most situations, the gridlock is so bad that riders have no other choice but to take the narrow space along the curb side just to be able to move along. The problem is that this is where bicycle lanes are located on major roads.

How about this?

Here’s an idea. When the bike lanes were created, it consumed about a third of the outermost lane, leaving a lane space too narrow for the average four-wheeler. So why not turn them into exclusive motorcycle lanes, similar to what San Juan City has done along Ortigas Avenue in Greenhills?

Do you think having car-free exclusive lanes will keep motorcyclists from intruding on the bicycle lanes?