Marilyn Cahatol

Article (news)

Mon Rodelas

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:604px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175170059213220200627-bike-road-share-commonwealth-gc-4572.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Bike road sa Commonwealth Avenue sa Quezon City. <em>George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Cyclists and road safety advocates, on Saturday, gathered for the “Buhay ang Bike Lane: Commonwealth Loop” community ride to voice their concerns over the Metro Manila Development Authority&#x27;s (MMDA) proposal to reduce the protected bike lanes along Commonwealth Avenue.</p><p>The event, organized by CycleSavers—a group of daily bike commuters—aimed to highlight the importance of protected lanes for the safety of cyclists in Metro Manila, particularly those who ride bicycles for daily commute.</p><p>The ride comes after MMDA&#x27;s contentious plan to narrow the bike lanes to create more space for expanded motorcycle lanes. </p><p>Right now, Commonwealth Avenue has eight lanes dedicated to motor vehicles in both directions, while cyclists are squeezed into the outermost protected lanes.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/w04hAZ_UFEY?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><p>Jasper Abunyawan, one of the organizers from CycleSavers, pointed out the double meaning behind the campaign’s name.</p><p>“Buhay ang Bike Lane” it means two things: Number 1, ‘buhay’ as in ‘life’ na it’s giving life and literal na ‘yung bike lane ang nagge-generate na makapunta ang isang tao from one place to another, especially kung trabaho niya ‘yun… And next is ‘yung ‘buhay’, meaning active and alive. Ibig-sabihin, maraming gumagamit ng bike lane,” he explained.</p><p>Abunyawan also raised concerns about the logic of sacrificing space for cyclists when the roads are already dominated by private vehicles and motorcycles.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/weather-traffic/2025/6/21/what-cyclists-motorists-say-on-mmda-s-proposed-shared-bike-lane-on-commonwealth-ave-2326">What cyclists, motorists say on MMDA’s proposed shared bike lane on Commonwealth Ave.</a></div><p>&quot;Bakit ‘yung bike lane ang iniisip nilang solusyon para don sa pagdami ng motor. Hindi ba pwedeng magbawas ng kahit isa lang on both sides sa kotse. Parang gets naman natin, marami rin namang gumagamit ng kotse pero kung tutuusin isyu ng road safety ito dahil hindi naman kami motorista e,&quot; he added </p><p>&quot;Manual lang naman kaming nagba-bike. So, malaki ‘yung risks sa‘min, especially nasa shoulder kami ng kalsada.&quot;</p><p>Joining the call was Arthur Guda, 67, president of the Senior and Junior Bikers of Quezon City and Caloocan, Inc. He represented almost 500 members and is part of a nationwide network of senior cyclists.</p><p>“Sana po suportahan natin ‘yung bike lane. Huwag nating alisin! ‘Di ba? Ayusin ang bike lane. Pagandahin ang bike lane. Huwag nating alisin, importante po ‘yan. ‘Yan po ang makaka-solve ng ating pollution.”</p><p>Guda highlighted that biking is not only a practical way to get around; it also promotes health, especially for older individuals.</p><p>CycleSavers pointed to data from last year’s “Bilang Siklista” bike count, which estimated that more than 2,000 cyclists use the Commonwealth Avenue bike lanes every day. </p><p>Advocates argue that this number shows a growing trend toward sustainable and active transportation that needs to be supported—not hindered—by infrastructure choices.</p><p>“Ang pino-propose namin, keep the bike lanes. Keep it as is. Kung may plano man sila sa ibang lanes sa Commonwealth, ‘yun na lang din muna. Pero the protected bike lanes must stay. And ‘yun ‘yung ‘pinapakita namin ngayon as show a force na buhay itong bike lane na ‘to, ginagamit namin ‘to panghanapbuhay,” Abunyawan said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vfcID4N8fI4?si=HMBJuHNDRxriT6fy" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>Cyclists and road safety advocates, on Saturday, gathered for the “Buhay ang Bike Lane: Commonwealth Loop” community ride to voice their concerns over the Metro Manila Development Authority's (MMDA) proposal to reduce the protected bike lanes along Commonwealth Avenue.</p>

Cyclists and road safety advocates, on Saturday, gathered for the “Buhay ang Bike Lane: Commonwealth Loop” community ride to voice their concerns over the Metro Manila Development Authority's (MMDA) proposal to reduce the protected bike lanes along Commonwealth Avenue.

Cyclists stage protest ride to defend Commonwealth bike lane

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Cyclists stage protest ride to defend Commonwealth bike lane

Mon Rodelas,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jul 05, 2025 03:43 PM PHT

Read More:

CycleSavers

SJBQCCI

MMDA

bike lane

cyclist

road safety

protest ride

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