4 essential things to know after inspecting MMDA’s new shower facilities
The newly added bathrooms and showers at the MMDA Motorcycle Riding Academy in Pasig are a welcome attempt at providing an inclusive end-of-trip facility for commuters, especially those moving by bike, working near and around Ortigas Center. It’s open 24/7 for anyone who needs to freshen up quickly before heading to work, home, or hanging out.
It recently opened in March, with the hope of "serving as an example for other offices and institutions to also provide end-of-trip facilities for active mobility users," MMDA General Manager Nicolas Torre III said.
But how do these facilities actually hold up for daily use? Beyond the convenience, can bike commuters, especially women, truly feel safe and comfortable while showering here? Here are four things to know about MMDA’s end-of-trip facilities.
Numerous (unshaded) bike stands
The presence of numerous bike stands is a welcome sight to many, but even if there are more than a dozen of them lined up just outside the shower area, there’s no shade to cover your bike. You might want to bring a bike cover to protect it from the elements.
Road bikes with smaller tire clearances might have a hard time biking through the gravel driveway, so it’s best to dismount and roll it toward the stands instead of cycling through.
The showers are roomy, but can get hot inside
Before using the shower rooms, cyclists are advised to register via Google Forms using the QR codes plastered on the walls or through this link.
Upon entering the showers, the first thing you’d notice is how roomy it is. It can fit you and your bike! So with that ample space, you have more than enough wiggle room to shower and dress up.
Each shower room is equipped with a rainforest showerhead, bottles of shampoo and body wash, and hooks and racks to hang your clothes and towels. The doors are lockable from the inside and leave no space for Peeping Toms, so bathers should feel safe.
Despite its roominess, though, there’s no mirror to look at yourself if you’re presentable, no counter to put your glasses, jewelry, or watch, no space to leave your shoes, or an elevated platform that can help you stabilize yourself as you put on footwear. If you need to check on your appearance, you may have to use the bathroom separate from the shower room, and you might want to leave your shoes outside the shower room if you don’t want them getting wet.
You’ll also notice almost immediately that the inside gets hot because the ceiling and one side of the wall are made of metal sheets. Imagine finishing your shower, then instantly sweating as you get dressed. We hope that MMDA improves the ventilation in these rooms.
Shower pressure is… just fine
There are a few steps before taking a shower. First, turn on the water heater, then turn the knob and the lever below it to allow water to flow toward the showerhead. After that, you can turn on the faucet and start showering. Not a big dealbreaker, but just something users might want to know.
I did notice that upon turning the faucet, though, the water pressure isn’t that strong. I’m not after shiatsu-massage levels of pressure, but watching the water droplets fall from the showerhead feels underwhelming. But it’s not weak either; think of it as gentle rain falling on your person. It gets the job done.
Dirt and drainage issues
Having a spacious shower area does have its downsides. I noticed that the floors aren’t clean–there is noticeable accumulation of dirt on one side in one of the shower rooms. There are maintenance personnel regularly cleaning these areas, but they leave at a certain time with no relievers or anyone shifting in after them.
The drain is far from the showerhead, so expect a pool of water that slowly moves toward the drain. This could be a potential hazard for people who might have difficulty gripping properly onto wet or slippery surfaces with their feet, especially in the absence of grab bars or rails.
These may seem like small details that could be overlooked, but with several adjustments for safety and security, this can be a pattern to follow for other facilities across Metro Manila.
It's promising but could be better
While the establishment of this end-of-trip facility is a commendable step by the MMDA, there remains significant room for improvement. Such facilities need to be more abundant, especially within central business districts and terminal hubs. This one sits just outside Ortigas Center, so if you're working at the farther end of the CBD, then you cannot access it if it were really out of the way.
But the whole thing feels unfinished. The overall inconsistency chips away at what could have been a truly reliable facility. For women who bike and value their hygiene, these gaps can affect how they use and feel about the space.
It’s a promising start, and it could be better, but only if MMDA chooses to listen to the people who will use it the most.
The end-of-trip shower facilities is open 24/7 and is located at the MMDA Motorcycle Riding Academy, Meralco Avenue corner Julia Vargas Ave, Pasig City.