Underutilized bike lanes? Rappler checks on number of cyclists on EDSA

CHEERS TO Rappler for exposing the skewed data that Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has been using to justify its opposition to the widening of bicycle lanes in the city. Pia Ranada checked with different groups working on urban mobility to point out the huge discrepancy between the data of government and that of independent non-government organizations (NGO).

During the April 24 “Kapihan sa Manila Bay” forum, Romando Artes, acting MMDA Chairperson, said his agency is considering proposals to reduce the size of bike lanes on EDSA or to remove them altogether since only 1,500 cyclists pass through the main thoroughfare daily. 

Ranada reviewed MMDA’s three-day record from July 26 to 28, 2023, which accounted for cyclists both on the northbound and southbound lanes from 6 am to 8 pm. MMDA recorded 1,586 cyclists on July 28, 2023, which is 300 more than the recorded number in each of the two preceding days.

Verifying the figures Artes gave, Ranada on April 25 called Neomie Recio, head of the MMDA Traffic Engineering Center and found that MMDA did the count only in one spot of the longest highway in the metropolis. Ranada also noted that when MMDA did the count, Metro Manila was under Storm Signal Number 1 due to Typhoon Egay, asking, “Could this account for the much lower bike count?”

Recio admitted to Rappler that the number Artes gave in the forum was only a partial figure. Ranadat noted that Artes used this partial figure as an official count. 

More accurate number

Taking into account the faulty process used by the MMDA, Ranada referred to the study jointly conducted by five independent organizations– the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), the Climate Reality Project Philippines, MNL Moves, 350 Pilipinas, and Pinay Bike Commuter. 

Ranada described the study’s methodology: Counting was done in five spots located in San Juan, Quezon City, and Mandaluyong City. It covered both northbound and southbound lanes during two rush-hour periods in the morning and evening on June 8, June 15, and June 22, 2023. The study recorded 7,807 cyclists using EDSA’s bike lane.

Ranada also pointed out that while it only covered spots in three cities along the stretch of EDSA, the count of 7,807 is almost five times higher than the MMDA’s number.

Moreover, Ranada noted that MMDA’s number is even lower than the count in June 2020, in the middle of a pandemic, which averaged 4,060 cyclists in a day.

Checking MMDA’s transport planning

Ranada questioned the large disparity between the counts: “Is MMDA formulating plans on policies for bikers based on only a partial count of cyclists?”

Ranada noted that the cycling sector doesn’t get enough support, noting that the MMDA does not even include them in its Annual Average Daily Traffic, which counts cars, buses, jeeps, taxis, trucks, tricycles, utility vehicles, trailers, and motorcycles. 

Rappler also pointed to how this lack of attention directly contradicts the stated goal of the Marcos administration’s Philippine Development Plan 2023–2028, which says: “Active transport networks will be developed. Pedestrians and cyclists will be accorded highest priority in the hierarchy of road users.”

Ranada interviewed Jose Regidor, transport expert and University of the Philippines’ Institute of Civil Engineering Director, who pointed out that even as bikers are concerned primarily with security, many workers rely on cycling as an affordable means of transportation. Regidor then emphasized the need for interconnected bike lanes in the metro.

This journalistic review demonstrates the capacity of the news media to call attention to government’s negligence and carelessness resulting in flawed policies. Ranada revealed how an agency directly counters policy set by higher agency, in this case, NEDA itself. Journalists must report on matters affecting the public, checking the soundness of plans designed to resolve traffic and road problems. 

Without accurate and reliable data, government actions can worsen a bad situation. MMDA should have the fundamental capacity to establish the numbers that require particular services and make adjustments when necessary. Pia Ranada’s report reveals that the MMDA may not have what it takes to address the problems they are assigned to resolve. The public suffers daily from this lack.