MMDA starts catching motorcycle lane violators

After a weeklong information drive, authorities on Monday stepped up their efforts to have motorcycle riders travel along designated motorcycle lanes along two major thoroughfares in Metro Manila. But some of the violators caught insisted they were not aware that the motorcycle lanes would be enforced this week. "Hindi ko alam, bago pa lang ako, pangalawang araw lang ako dito (I did not know about the rule, I'm just new to this route)," one motorcycle rider caught along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City said in an interview on dzBB radio.

On the other hand, some motorcycle riders who followed the rules were injured after hitting potholes. A motorcycle rider, identified as one Larry, suffered cuts in his head and body while his motorcycle was damaged after it hit a pothole along Commonwealth Avenue before dawn Monday. Larry said the pothole was in a dark area near the motorcycle lane, such that he could not immediately see it, radio dzBB's Allan Gatus reported. MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino said he will look into the matter. "Maaring na-overlook yan pero patitignan ko anong remedyo magagawa natin," Tolentino said in a separate interview on dzBB. The dzBB report said that in Quezon City, at least 30 violators were made to attend seminars on basic motorcycle safety after being caught traveling outside the motorcycle lanes along Commonwealth Avenue. MMDA teams were positioned at strategic areas along the 12.4-km Commonwealth Avenue to catch violators, who will be made to attend a 15-minute on-the-spot safety seminar. The MMDA will start implementing the motorcycle lanes at Commonwealth Avenue and Macapagal Boulevard in southern Metro Manila on Oct. 24. Violators will have to pay P500 per violation. Diggings along Macapagal Boulevard Along Macapagal Boulevard, a report on dwIZ radio said motorcycle riders had to slow down due to diggings of a water concessionaire. Meanwhile, Tolentino reminded motorcycle riders to observe the 60-kph speed limit even while traveling along the motorcycle lanes. He also reminded them to keep their headlights on so other motorists can see them. — RSJ, GMA News