Proposed policy to restrict m-cyclists to left lane irrational, says biker group

A road safety group has suggested that motorcyclists only use the left lane on roads to reduce fatalities.

PETALING JAYA: Motorcycle group Ikatan Silaturrahim Brotherhood (Brotherhood) has disagreed with a suggestion to restrict motorcyclists to the left or slowest lane of highways and roads to reduce the number of casualties.

The group’s head, Azlan Sani Zawawi, said it did not make sense to instruct bikers to use only the left lane as this will only expose them to greater harm and danger.

Azlan said the condition of the left lanes were usually bad, with foreign objects scattered all around. It was also not safe as people would stop for emergencies or if their vehicles break down.

Azlan said using the left lane only made sense along expressways which had a dedicated emergency lane.

It was reported yesterday that Works Minister Baru Bian was in favour of this policy of restricting bikers to the left lane, especially during the morning and evening rush hours.

Last year, 4,128 (65.7%) of the 6,284 killed in road accidents were motorcyclists.

Baru was responding to a suggestion by road safety advocates, Safety First Group, for the government to enforce a blanket ruling for motorcyclists to only use the left lane instead of weaving in and out of traffic.

The group had met Baru and Transport Minister Anthony Loke to also urge the government to impose a speed limit of 70kph for kapcai, or low-powered motorcycles.

Azlan said, sometimes, riders had to speed up along certain stretches for their own safety.

He hoped the government will consult all affected stakeholders before deciding on any road safety issue. - FMT