City Biking: Available Bike Lanes Around Metro Manila

With high fuel costs, the present traffic situations, and the current pandemic, most commuters are compelled to look for a safe alternative to transport means—among which that stands out are bicycles that are both economic and environment-friendly.

These days, more than ever, an observable rise in the number of people opting to ride their bicycles not only for recreational purposes but also for their daily commutes dots the city.

You can maneuver the busiest roads and more likely make it on time to your schedule through biking without worrying about being surrounded by an infected person. 

Also read: The Expats’ Ultimate Guide to Public Transportation in the Philippines

However, not all main roads including EDSA have bike lanes yet; though there have been initiatives both from the national and local governments to begin establishing an adequate number of them.

As of writing, the following cities in Metro Manila have their own protected bikeways:

• Quezon City
  • At the northbound lane from Ortigas to Santolan
  • In White Plains in EDSA to eastbound of Temple Dr.
  • Along Katipunan Ave. (starting from Aurora Blvd. to Miriam College) and along University Ave. to Tandang Sora

• San Juan City
  • From N. Domingo St. to Ortigas Ave. to Connecticut St.

• Pasig City
  • Along Doña Julia Vargas Ave. and F. Ortigas Jr. Rd.
  • Along Market Ave. (Pasig Mega Market Area), Caruncho Ave. (around the City Hall Complex), and Amang Rodriguez Ave. (East Bank to Marcos Highway)

• Makati City
  • A 1 km bike lane from Magallanes to Ayala Ave. 

• Manila
  • From Remedios Circle to Adriatico St.

• Marikina City
  • A 52 km bike lane that interconnects all major destinations—offices, schools, malls, markets, and transport hubs—and the LRT Line 2 Station in Santolan, Pasig
    

• Marcos Highway
  •  From Evangelista St. at the Marcos Highway to Sumulong Highway in Marikina City

There’s also the 6.94 km highway called Laguna Lake Expressway that connects the eastern part of Metro Manila to the towns of Rizal, which is considered as the first highway to have bike lanes.

Aside from these lanes, bikes are also allowed on sidewalks, but only if the bike lane is situated within them just like in BGC. 

Also read: Guide to Biking Trails in Manila

Do you ride a bicycle to work or to school? What other bicycle-friendly routes do you know? Share it with us in the comments below!

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This also appears in the September 2020 issue of Philippine Primer English magazine.
Sources: MMDA, Multisport, Top Gear, Rappler, Philstar, and Inquirer