As a last-minute assurance, organizers of tomorrow afternoon’s road sharing experiment in Cebu City said people need not fear any road closure once the activity starts at 3 p.m.
“We will follow the existing traffic lights and we will put up tarpaulins to guide motorists and the participants,” said Marc Canton, lead convenor of the Movement for a Livable Cebu (MLC).
Two-way traffic will flow.
People will walk, bike or skate on two inner lanes. Vehicles can occupy two outer lanes.
Althoug there were plans to install rope cordons througout the four-kilometer route, the cost and lack of standees to hold up the rope guards forced MLC to drop the idea of a “magic rope”.
On a slow, relaxed Sunday afternoon, it would be an ideal time to see how people adapt to the idea of pedestrian-friendly lanes in the “mini-green loop” of General Maxilom Avenue, Gorordo Avenue, Escario Street and a portion of Osmeña Boulevard.
The first time road sharing was tested on Independence Day of June 12, 2011, the entire Osmeña Boulevard was an instant park for a day.
Families came out to stroll down the wide roads, and marvelled at how clear the air was without motor vehicle exhaust polluting the surroundings.
Since we can’t get rid of cars, this Sunday will be a compromise.
Share the road graciously.
Half of the road will be enjoyed by car-less road users and the other half will accommodate public transport and all manner of vehicles.
We don’t know how it will turn out, but are prepared to hear howls of some commuters upset by the change. This is part of the experiment, to guage how much change urban Cebuanos and visitors can tolerate in their car-dependent lives.
But we’re also optimistic that a significant number will have “Aha” moments, and wonder why there can’t be more lanes for two-legged locomotion and bicycles.
There’s no better way of learning than by doing.
Those who still remember being ticked off by the road closures of the second Road Revolution in Sept. 24, 2011, a Saturday, will hold organizers to their promise not to seal off traffic along these key routes in the heart of Cebu City.
Ideally, there was enough time to consult and notify jeepney and taxi operators and drivers, who make a living on the streets.
The first Road Revolution was a success, the second brought a painful whine.
From 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., we’ll see the best and worst of Cebu City’s response to a bold attempt by private citizens to make the city more comfortable, cleaner and more livable.