ALI transport infra study to overhaul Makati CBD

AT A GLANCE

Ayala Land has started a transport infrastructure study, alongside an urban plan review, of the Makati Central Business District (CBD) to ensure safe and equal access for all commuters, the company announced Sunday, July 16.

Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) has started a transport infrastructure study, alongside an urban plan review, of the Makati Central Business District (CBD) to ensure safe and equal access for all commuters, the company announced Sunday, July 16.

Currently, Ayala Avenue has a 12-meter-wide carriageway per direction divided into four lanes.

This thoroughfare is host to over 600,000 bus and jeepney commuters, motorcycle riders, and private car owners, as well as 2,600 bikers daily.

The company dedicated a 1.5-meter protected lane to manage inclusivity across all commuters — especially buses and jeepneys as public transport.

“Ayala Land remains true to its commitment of building inclusive and safe communities. This is evident in its purposeful design of Ayala Land estates around the country, Makati being no exception,” the company declared in its statement.

During the pandemic, when public transport was limited, the company voluntarily allocated three meters of Ayala Avenue as a bike lane to enable COVID-safe mobility.

Given the recent increase in motor vehicles, and a return of traffic to pre-pandemic levels, Ayala Land opted to reduce the protected bike lane to 1.5 meters.

However, a cyclist coalition, “Make it Safer Makati” was concerned with the decision, citing challenges to the biking environment on Ayala Avenue.

Hence, Ayala Land formed a technical working group with the “Make it Safer Makati” cyclist representatives to ensure equal access for pedestrians, commuters, cyclists, and motorists.

Today, Makati has 4-kilometer long protected bike lanes along the main thoroughfares of the central business district.

Ayala Land installed additional bollards and signages for motor vehicles using the bike lanes and the Makati Parking Authority enforces the rules.

Outside of Ortigas CBD and Bonifacio Global City (BGC) private development, this is the only protected bike lane of its kind, according to the company.

“We have started with a transport infrastructure study which will be complemented with an urban plan review of the Makati CBD,” Ayala Land reiterated.

“We seek the patience of the public as we continue to make Makati CBD a better place to live and work for all.”

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The article was originally published in Manila Bulletin and written by Emmie V. Abadilla.