Water ponding on Federal Highway’s motorcycle lane. Some parts of it are flood-prone. — Photos: FAIHAN GHANI, IZZRAFIQ ALIAS and AZMAN GHANI/The Star
Poor maintenance, fear of being robbed and narrow lanes are among reasons why motorcyclists avoid using motorcycle lanes.
Many choose to continue riding on main roads and major highways although this is more dangerous.
According to police statistics, there were 6,443 road accident deaths last year and 4,880 or 75% of these cases involved motorcyclists.
Moreover, the Transport Ministry found that nearly 60% of road accidents between 2010 and 2019 involved motorcyclists.
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However, earlier studies by Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) showed there was a 39% reduction in crashes with the implementation of motorcycle lanes.
Some users feel lanes on Federal Highway are too narrow.
The same studies also showed that utilisation rates remained low because of poor infrastructure conditions and safety threats.
StarMetro delved deeper into the issue and asked motorcyclists why some of them were reluctant to use the dedicated lanes.
User experience
University student Mikhail Ramses Dawson, 21, finds the motorcycle lanes quite narrow, leaving him with little time to react in an emergency.
“If there is an obstruction, there won’t be enough time to dodge and this will increase the risk of collisions.
Emyrull says moss along Federal Highway’s motorcycle lane made the lane hazardous when wet.
Another motorcyclist, Emyrull Iman Azami, 25, who commutes regularly on Federal Highway, echoed similar sentiments.
“It is difficult to manoeuvre during peak hours as these lanes tend to be congested,” he said.
He added that a stretch along Federal Highway, from Petaling Jaya heading towards Klang, was slippery because of moss growing on the side of the road.
“The stretch near Subang Jaya is also prone to flooding,” he added.
Muhd Shafiq Che Saufi, 31, who uses the Federal Highway motorcycle lane between Klang and Shah Alam daily, was concerned about faulty streetlights.
“Because it is dark, I will not use the lane at night.
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“Motorcycle lanes are supposed to be safe but if the lanes are not properly maintained, it can become a safety risk too.”
He recalled seeing a huge cobra at a lane near Sungai Rasau in Klang.
Muhd Shafiq felt that the lanes also left motorcyclists vulnerable to crime.
Zulfiqar says exit points of motorcycle lanes are placed at unsuitable angles.
“My father’s friend was a victim of an armed robbery in 2015.
“My father usually rode with his friend to work, but fell sick that day. His friend was riding alone and was robbed.”
Zulfiqar Zamir, 25, expressed worry over exit points at motorcycle lanes, which he said were placed at unsuitable angles.
“It can be quite dangerous during peak hours when many motorcyclists converge on an exit and hastily merge into traffic on the main road,” he said.
He noted that those riding without a licence also tend to avoid motorcycle lanes because of frequent police roadblocks.
Site visits
During checks at motorcycle lanes along several highways, untrimmed greenery, uneven surfaces and stagnant water were found.
On the Federal Highway, the lane was mostly in good condition, save for a few spots with stagnant water near UOA Business Park in Shah Alam.
There were also signs to indicate flood-prone spots, namely Tunnel 3 (KM15, Klang-bound) and Tunnel 17 (Kuala Lumpur-bound).
Like other highways, GCE has a signboard stating that motorcyclists are not allowed to use the main road during certain hours, for their safety.
At Guthrie Corridor Expressway (GCE), overgrown plants can be seen jutting out from the roadside at some stretches along the underpasses from Bukit Jelutong heading towards Rawang.
Also spotted along the lanes were discarded household items and damaged motorcycle parts.
Several sections of the lane appeared to be under repair by the concessionaire.
There was overgrowth and moss close to the motorcycle lane at Shah Alam Expressway (Kesas), especially near the Kinrara rest area heading towards Kuala Lumpur.
The lane was also quite narrow near Jalan Puchong, making it difficult for motorcyclists to manoeuvre safely.
Mandatory lanes
According to police, the use of motorcycle lanes is compulsory.
“Motorcyclists must use the motorcycle lanes if there is one,” said Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department director Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri.
“However, we prefer to remind motorcyclists of this instead of issuing them summonses.
This approach, he said, was in consideration of motorists who might be unfamiliar with the specific highway or unaware of the motorcycle lane there.
Comm Mohd Yusri says the police prefer to remind motorcyclists first instead of issuing summonses.
“They may come from other areas, such as outside Klang Valley, and may be using the highway for the first time.
“However, motorcyclists are reminded to be alert and heed signboards placed along the road,” he said.
There have been enforcement action against errant individuals for not using the motorcycle lanes.
Based on media reports, an operation on Federal Highway in January 2022 saw 220 summonses issued by the police.
Another operation in August the same year at GCE saw 110 summonses issued to errant motorcyclists.
Those who fail to use designated motorcycle lanes can be charged under Section 79(2) of the Road Transport Act 1987 (Act 333) – for disregarding traffic signs.
It says any pedestrian or driver who fails or neglects to comply with any lawfully placed traffic signs is guilty of an offence and, upon conviction, may be fined not less than RM300 and not more than RM2,000.
According to police statistics, between 2019 and 2023 a total of 829 accidents involving motorcycles occurred on three major highways with motorcycle lanes.
Comm Mohd Yusri said motorcyclists were allowed to use regular lanes only if there were no motorcycle lanes provided.
He said police regularly patrolled these lanes to ensure safety and security.
Parts of the motorcycle lane on Kesas (above) are patchy and uneven.
Although there had been reports of crimes such as robbery at motorcycle lanes, he said these incidents were isolated.
Data from 2019 to 2023 at the three major arteries – Federal Highway, Kesas and GCE – found no more than two cases reported each year.
Comm Mohd Yusri said developers regularly sought input from the police prior to constructing highways.
“We always advise them to build motorcycle lanes, especially for projects in big cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Johor Baru and Penang.
“This is crucial as motorcyclists are at higher risk of accidents,” he said.
Comm Mohd Yusri also called on concessionaires to ensure motorists were informed about the existence of motorcycle lanes on the highways under their management.
“Place signage at toll booths and along road shoulders so that road users are aware,” he added.
When asked to comment on motorcyclists citing poor maintenance as the reason to not use the designated lanes, Comm Mohd Yusri said they should complain to the highway concessionaires.
