The Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) says that authorities should consider constructing more designated motorcycle lanes, as it believes that these have the potential to help reduce the number of road accidents involving motorcyclists and pillion riders. According to 2018 statistics, an average of 18 fatalities were recorded daily nationwide, with most involving motorcyclists.
“MIROS is of the view that the construction of non-exclusive motorcycle lane (NEML) will reduce the accident rates involving two-wheel vehicles in the country. The implementation of this strategic proposal on the existing road system is possible if there is sufficient budget,” its road safety engineering and environment research centre director Dr Muhammad Marizwan Abdul Manan told Bernama.
He said the lane could be constructed by paving the shoulder on existing roads to turn it into a motorcycle lane, adding that a proposal for the construction of the designated motorcycle lane would have to factor in the number of motorcyclists or the frequency of accidents in an area.
On the proposal to limit the speed of low-powered motorcycles to a maximum of 70 km/h, he said that implementation of this should be carried out in line with the construction of the designated motorcycle lane, stating that the special lane would be able to help authorities monitor the speed limit.
Earlier this year, motorcycle safety advocacy group Safety First urged the government to enforce a 70 km/h speed limit for kapchai or low-powered motorcycles, citing that speed was the cause of most fatal road accidents. The group also suggested that motorcycle travel be confined to the left lane to help reduce road accidents.
What do you think of the idea of having designated motorcycle lanes, possibly coming at the expense of pedestrian walkways in some cases? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section.
Malaysia motorbahn – limit speed of low-powered motorcycles to minimum of 70 km/h,
Lane splitting bikes legal in California where I worked now, but its illegal in NY my home state.
There’s no point. Motorcyclists don’t use them – they still use the highways meant only for cars. Waste of money. Enforce using the existing motorcycle lanes first.
It’s already enforced, one can be fine if not using one. But the problem is motorcycle lane is not well maintained as car road
Nah…the cheaper solution without spending taxpayer money is increase enforcement. Its the only way our road user becomes more discipline.
Accident will still happen but at reduced rate of our road users will be ‘scared’ to go mad as they know there is mata-mata.
Happy new year People! Ride safe… and slow
What about high powered motorcycles? Don’t leave out certain segments please
Firstly, motorcycle lanes in the Klang Valley leave much to be desired. Insufficiently lit especially at corners approaching tunnels. Badly drained, too narrow, etc. I don’t ride fast but even so, I would hesitate riding in the bike lanes. As a stop gap measure, make it by law to allow bikes to ride emergency lanes but also enforce the law against the cars who use the emergency lanes. Later, perhaps, enforce a minimum speed limit on highways with 110 kmh limits with a minimum speed of 80 kmh and more enforcement officers
Designated lane = good
Speed limit = please reconsider because it will potentially kill the purpose of having designated lane, because people will end up using main road to avoid the speed limit in the designated lane, especially when considering the chances of being penalised not using the designated lane is lower than being penalised of speed limit (if they actually decide to monitor the speed limit in the lane)
but they don like use, they prefer go on high speeds along with the cars….lagi syok they say
70km/h is too slow. In the EU it’s 80km/h for 125cc and Australia 80km/h for 250cc.
In the EU it’s mandatory too that engine parts cannot be swapped from bigger bikes, so no kampung racing any more…
try to see what happen to bicycle lane in KL.
It become carpark for taxi, grab driver, private driver, bus and lorry.
Im all for the designated motorcycle lane. but please make it good. at least 1 car lane wide. most motorcycle lanes are too narrow and makes it difficult to navigate in case of emergency/towing situation. make it as good as normal road would encourage more users.
What is the point of having bike lanes when no one uses it? And also no enforcement?
Look at Federal highway (where the bike lanes are just upgraded) and Kesas highway (where they have the best bike lanes), we see kapchai zigzagging from most left lanes to most right lanes without giving a hoot to the motorist, endangering themselves and others.
The crucial question: where is the enforcement and why is the Government turning a blind eye to this?
Try riding a motorcycle in that lane, you will somewhat understand the problem, bad road, insufficient lighting, narrow lane, and the entry point is so little to the point if you missed it, goodluck finding the next entry point
Yes, please, you are welcome. But i know you talk only, bcos government no $$$$. So, this piece of news just for entertainment only, don’t take it seriously ya!
50cc and 45km/h like in Japan is enough.
The hardworking Japanese know what is best. Just follow their rules! 45km/h and not a single km/h more!
Can they stop doing red stripe at corner? It will reduce grip for vehicle especially those with worn suspension.
Lets take Putrajaya as an example, with motorcycle lanes along all major expressway within the city: motorcycle lanes with lighted underpass. Routes cleared as cleaners clean the road and the grass beside it.
NO ONE uses it. Motorcycles freely on the expressway sharing with cars and lorries. Our motorcyclist’s mentality has always been like this. Plus still weaving in and out of lanes, carrying school children.. not to mention the Foodpanda riders who doesnt seem to care for their life at all.
Many foreigners were surprises at our bikers allowed to use the highway. Even our neighbouring country the Indonesians. Due to the huge differences in power and capabilities in speed, bikes should be kept on a specific lane to ensure the rider’s safety.
Because when there is an accident, there will be kilometres of traffic jams as a consequent. We need to reduce the risks first.
Yes, especially foreigners from Myanmar which never saw a highway before.
why need designated lane when we going for flying car and motorbike soon..lmao..