A lawmaker has urged the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) to designate lanes for bicycles and motorbikes along the stretch of EDSA amid the implementation of the general community quarantine.
Quezon City Second District Rep. Precious Hipolito-Castelo said that the IATF should allot lanes on EDSA for those who are using bicycles or motorbikes to and from their workplaces as the riding public continues to grapple with limited public transportation.
“It is reasonable and justifiable for the IATF to order the designation of a lane for bicycle and motorcycle users along Edsa because there is still limited public transportation due to the general community quarantine (GCQ) in Metro Manila,” Castelo said.
She said that the government should promote its use as bicycles help decongest traffic in the metro.
“Instead of discouraging the use of bikes, the government should encourage it as it would decongest traffic and lessen pollution. MMDA would be accused of being anti-poor for adamantly refusing to heed the appeals of bikers for a dedicated lane that is also open for use by other motorists”, Castelo added.
Meanwhile, Castelo has also appealed to the IATF to allow backriding on motorcycles for couples.
“From the point of view of avoiding the virus, it is definitely safer for a spouse to ride with her partner than taking the bus or tricycle to work or to the grocery to buy household essentials,” Castelo said.
“At least, she knows that her spouse is not infected. If he were, she would not ride with him and she would isolate him for her family’s safety. I am sure the IATF and President Duterte would appreciate this,” she added.
Castelo said that allowing back-riding would provide mobility options for some people, saying that the exemption would ease overcrowding at transport terminals.
“Thus, we see many employees crowding loading areas for bus passengers and train stations. Allowing back-riding spouses will certain ease this congestion,” Castelo pointed out. – Joy Cantos