Motorcycle lanes essential components of road safety system

THE safety of motorcyclists remains a major concern in Malaysia where motorcycles are widely used due to their affordability, convenience and ability to navigate traffic congestion.

Unlike occupants of other motor vehicles, motorcyclists have limited physical protection, making them particularly vulnerable to serious injuries and fatalities. According to the Royal Malaysia Police’s Road Accident Statistics Report 2025, motorcyclists accounted for nearly 66% of Malaysia’s 6,581 road fatalities with 4,452 deaths.

Malaysia has established technical guidelines for motorcycle facilities, including Arahan Teknik (Jalan) 35/2018 and Nota Teknik (Jalan) 33/2015. The former provides road designers and engineers with uniform, standard design criteria for planning, constructing and maintaining exclusive motorcycle lanes (EMCLs).

The EMCL along Federal Route 2 – connecting Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya, Shah Alam and Klang – has shown potential in improving motorcycle safety with a reported reduction of about 39% in crashes.

Emerging technologies offer additional opportunities to enhance motorcycle safety. Blind-spot detection systems, artificial intelligence, Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS) and Advanced Rider Assistance Systems (ARAS) can help riders identify hazards and prevent collisions.

Smart infrastructure, including adaptive lighting, road condition monitoring and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication, can also provide early warnings of potential dangers.

Equally important is understanding motorcyclists’ experiences. Even technically compliant motorcycle lanes may remain underutilised if riders perceive them as unsafe or inconvenient.

Concerns regarding poor lighting, damaged pavement, inadequate access and uncomfortable riding conditions should be addressed through rider consultations and community engagement. Ultimately, motorcycle lanes should not be viewed merely as designated spaces on roads but as essential components of an integrated road safety system.

LEKHA S. BALAKRISHNAN

Master’s student

Universiti Putra Malaysia

and ASSOC PROF IR DR NUR IZZI MD YUSOFF

Senior lecturer

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia