Bike Lanes at Ayala Avenue

November 2020

#LetsBikeMakati, an aptly coined hashtag for an aptly thought project. Recognizing the need for alternative ways to commute during the current pandemic, MaCEA, together with Ayala Land and Make it Makati, has launched a project as a means of providing a safe space for cyclist employees who have no other means of transportation aside from bicycles. Moreover, the #LetsBikeMakati project also hopes to advocate for an environmental-friendly alternative mode of transportation, as well as further improving the pedestrian mobility of the citizens around Makati.

Cyclists may have a pleasant time using the bike lanes installed along the whole stretch of Ayala Avenue— spanning from Epifanio Delos Santos Ave. to Gil Puyat Ave.— and vice versa. For the convenience of cyclists and motorists alike, the 3-meter-wide bike lanes are located on the outermost lane on both sides of Ayala Ave. However, only 2-wheeler Personal Mobility Devices (PMDs), such as non-motorized bicycles and scooters, are allowed to use the bike lanes. Motorcycles and 3-wheeled vehicles are prohibited— vehicles caught using the allotted bike lanes will be apprehended and warned by traffic enforcers. Additionally, buses and PUVs will have their dedicated areas moved to the second lanes of the road, but will retain their designated stops.

Special markings are put on the bike lanes to indicate that only bicycles may use them, as well as special “bike boxes” that will be kept clear of stopped vehicles placed in front of intersections. Cyclists may use these boxes to move from the rightmost bike lane to the leftmost lane which will also allow them to turn left once signalled by the traffic lights. In light of this, to ensure the safety of pedestrians, cyclists are not allowed from using the sidewalk except for parking after dismounting.

Parking racks are also provided and are located at the Ayala Triangle Gardens, Jaime Velasquez Park, Washington Sycip Park, and Legazpi Active Park.

As part of the first phase of the trial run, a portion of the project was installed on August 17 of this year, at the eastbound side of Ayala Avenue spanning the whole block of Paseo-Rufino. The bike lane project has been completed and was already launched on September 7. The trial run has been ongoing since then and additional locations for the bike lanes will depend upon evaluation of the results of the said trial.