The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has started the installation of bicycle racks at some stations of LRT-1, LRT-2, MRT-3 and PNR to encourage the use of bicycles amid the limited supply of public transportation due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
The agency said that bicycle racks have been installed at LRT-1’s Central, Libertad and EDSA Taft stations and soon at Baclaran station. Although commuters may freely use the bike racks, the DOTr said that they have to bring their own padlocks.
Meanwhile, bicycle racks have been installed at the Legarda station of LRT-2. The agency said that the Light Rail Transit Authority is also setting up racks at the Pureza, V. Mapa, J. Ruiz, Gilmore, and Betty Go-Belmonte stations.
The DOTr said that bicycle owners may park their bikes from 5:00 a.m. to 8 p.m. but claiming is extended until 10 p.m. It said that one bike rack can accommodate up to five bicycles.
Meanwhile, the MRT-3 management is targeting to complete the installation of 34 bike racks at its stations from North Avenue to Taft Avenue. The installation started on June 22, with its North Avenue, Quezon Avenue and GMA Kamuning stations now having one street-level bike rack each on the northbound side.
As for the Philippine National Railways, cyclists can now use the bike racks at the Tutuban station. Installation of bike racks is ongoing at other PNR stations.
In a statement, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade has assured cyclists of convenience in using bicycles as an active transport mode while quarantine measures are being enforced.
“I fully support the establishment of the bike lanes as this active transport mode promotes a healthy lifestyle and clean environment. We will make this protected to ensure the safety of our cyclists. As a form of assistance to them, we have initially installed bike racks in various railway stations in Metro Manila. And this will definitely be replicated in other public transport terminals across the country,” Tugade said.
The DOTr is fast-tracking the creation of bicycle lanes along EDSA to ensure the safety of cyclists as well as to maximize road space use.