The Federal Highway is set to receive a much-needed upgrade to its motorcycle lanes, with an infusion of RM20 million coming its way, according to The Star. Works minister Alexander Nanta Linggi said the investment, part of an ongoing effort to enhance motorcycle safety, is in line with Rolling Plan 5 under the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK12) that ends this year.
However, Nanta Linggi pushed back on a suggestion to build dedicated bike lanes on all major roads to cut down on high motorcycle accident rates. In a written parliamentary reply to a question from Baling MP Hassan Saad, he said that there were currently no plans to do so due to the costs involved, adding that efforts to build more bike lanes have been in the works for several years.
“We have carried out construction of motorcycle lanes in selected locations on federal roads for over a decade, he said. “These include exclusive motorcycle lanes, physically separated from the main road, and non-exclusive lanes built on widened road shoulders.”
The government has to conduct comprehensive studies before new bike lanes are constructed, Nanta Linggi said, in order to avoid new conflicts on roads with numerous entry and exit points. “Technical justifications are essential, covering traffic volume, motorcycle composition, accident rates, and side friction scores (FS).
“Financial considerations are also crucial, given the high costs associated with construction, land acquisition, and utility relocation,” he added.
Nanta Linggi concluded by saying that the government is committed to ensuring motorist safety and comfort, particularly motorcyclists with the continued studying of the need for dedicated lanes. He previously said in April that the ministry was considering building bike lanes on new highways and that it was working with highway concessionaires like PLUS to establish dedicated rain shelters on space-limited elevated highways.
Penang Tun Dr. Lim Chong Eu Hwy only 30% to 40% motorcycle user use , nobody care also no break the law if not use ,police also no take action …
Bike lanes have to pass multiple traffic lights, so better fix this problem
What is the point when the majority of bikers ignore the rules and still use the main highway instead of the bike lanes. The police don’t give a damn!
So those who follow the rules don’t deserve a better and safer bike lane?
As a daily user of the motorcycle lane in both Federal Highway and KESAS. “Majority” of us used the motorcycle lane thus we deserved a better and safer bike lane. I suggest once in a while try observe those using the bike lane and you’ll find that there’s a significant number of riders that actually obey the law than those who don’t.
If bike lanes are in good condition and allows one to move smoothly, why wouldn’t motorbikers choose to use it since it is safer ?
#CommonsenseLah
Subject: Enforcement of Motorcycle Regulations on the Federal Highway
The recent upgrades to the Federal Highway have significantly improved driving conditions for motorists. However, the frequent misuse of car lanes by motorcyclists remains a serious safety concern.
Motorcycle lanes are purpose-built to protect riders and ensure safer traffic flow. When motorcyclists choose to ride in car lanes, they not only endanger themselves but also disrupt traffic and undermine the intended function of the highway—an asset built with significant taxpayer funding.
Continuous enforcement is impractical; therefore, stricter regulations are necessary. Motorcyclists should be legally prohibited from using car lanes except in emergencies. Substantial fines must be imposed on offenders to deter non-compliance and promote accountability.
Comparative examples from Europe show that clear legal provisions, automated monitoring, and consistent penalties are effective in enforcing motorcycle lane usage. Similar approaches are being adopted in developing countries to reduce accidents and protect public infrastructure.
To ensure road safety and safeguard public investment, immediate regulatory action and firm enforcement are essential.
Motorcycle road tax 350. Your car 80. Motorcycle takes 1 person on avg. Your car 1 person. Space taken your car 4 times the space.
Wow, 20M. What if the bikes don’t use and continue to use the main lanes?
Any action will be taken?
Anyway,
This make Federal highway having the Best dedicated Lanes for Bicycle, Scooter and Ebikes.
Or is it illegal…?
Plz make the bike lane convenient for riders, no need to pass through traffic lights
stupid comment – you obey the rules period. what else you want ? Red carpet?
As a motorcyclist myself this is much appreciated. Tho i am still upset there are stupid cyclists use the motorcycle lane and idiot banglas walking on it. And I also don’t feel sorry for those motorcyclists that got into accident on federal highways even if it is not their fault.
“the motorcycle lanes were originally intended for bicycle riders”, quote from G. Ramasamy, the deputy engineer who built the Federal Highway
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Highway_(Malaysia)
What’s the point where law enforcement didn’t do anything on the motorcyclists using the car lane. When is jam, already need to wait for vehicle to give now need to check if there is illegal motorcyclist using the car lane in between the lanes
As a biker who use the motorcycle lane, there are reasons as to why I don’t use it:
– Motorcycle Lane are close. If you pay attention from Klang to KL/KL to Klang, certain parts of motorcycle lane are closed right now due to MRT and construction. It’s also nearly impossible to rejoin back into the motorcycle Lane.
– Night time robbery. There have been multiple attempt of robbery during the night. I was once hit by a brick for taking the motorcycle lane and not only that, There’s also fishing line setup in tunnels.
So berapa juta need to spend for enforcement after all this berjuta-juta? It’s not like the 80’s which was the last time I remember all motorcyclists actually using those lanes and Federal Highway was just for cars. And the cops used to be seen regularly catching motorcyclists for infractions.
As for building new roads with dedicated motorcycle lanes…how about this…just enforce the law…so both motorcyclists and drivers know that if they are reckless road users it will cost them. Big time. Suspend or cancel licences. Crush cars and bikes of those caught repeatedly offending. No discounts and no way to pay their way out of it. This namby-pamby way of hoping people will be better drivers is an exercise in futility.
upgrade for what if majority of them don’t use it?
Fun fact: The motorbike lanes were originally built for bicycles. “To keep cyclists off the carriageway, we built cycle tracks”, quote from G. Ramasamy, deputy engineer who built the Federal Highway back in the 1970s. Refer to old NST article: https://web.archive.org/web/20090410151119/http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Sunday/National/20090208112440/Article/index_html