Road-sharing activity on Roxas Blvd set on February 7

MANILA, Philippines – More than 6 months since an attempt to devote half of metro roads for cyclists and pedestrians was postponed, another road-sharing exercise is now set to take place on Sunday, February 7.

In a press conference at the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) office on Thursday, February 4, organizers of the Bayanihan sa Daan movement said the stretch of Roxas Boulevard – from Mall of Asia in Pasay City to Plaza Mexico in Intramuros – will be the main site of the road-sharing exercise.

The aim of the road-sharing scheme is to trigger a shift in mindset from the current car-centric way of thinking, to one that puts people first.

“Less than 2% of the Filipino population own cars, yet we devote more space for them….The objective of this exercise is to improve the mobility of people,” said environmental lawyer Antonio Oposa Jr.

Aside from introducing the potential to have walk-friendly, bike-friendly roads, the event will also feature a new mass transit vehicle: the Filipino-made hybrid road train created by the Department of Science and Technology.

For the road-sharing exercise, the southbound lane of Roxas Blvd will be closed to motor vehicles. It will be divided as follows:

• Lane 1 (closest to the center island) – electric road train
• Lane 2 – bicycle lane going north
• Lane 3 – bicycle lane going south
• Lane 4 (beside the baywalk) – pedestrian lane

Meanwhile, the northbound lane of Roxas Boulevard will have a two-way traffic scheme for public and private vehicles.

While the organizers admitted that there will be critics and skeptics of the proposed scheme, they are hopeful that the event will inspire the public to clamor for more walk-friendly and bike-friendly roads.

Advocates also said that the event will also have a positive health impact by helping reduce air pollution and road accidents, and encouraging people to walk and exercise.

“The time for talk is over. It’s time for action. If people find this successful, they themselves would want to keep it going,” Oposa said.

For southbound motorists affected by the scheme, the MMDA provided the following alternate route:

• From P Burgos, take Orosa St, turn right at Kalaw Avenue, turn left at MH Del Pilar, left at Quirino Avenue, right at FB Harrison, to EDSA, and to destination.
• From the Manila city hall, turn right at Taft Avenue, right to EDSA and to destination.

The road-sharing exercise will kick off with a program at 6:30 am and will end at about noon. – Rappler.com