Is it OK to build motorcycle lanes on Singapore highways?

On May 8, 2024, Singapore's Transport Minister Cheh Hong Tat replied in writing to Bukit Matok Single Constituency MP Mu Yan Li on the issue of motorcycle lanes on highways.

The following is translated by the Singapore Eye based on the English language of the National Assembly:

Mr Mu Yan Lee (Member of Parliament for Bukit Matuk Single Constituency) asked the Minister of Transport considering the continuous increase in motorcycle-related deaths on highways since 2022:

(a) Will the Land Transport Authority (LTA) reconsider the proposal to build motorcycle lanes on highways?

(b) What other structural measures are being considered by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to enhance and promote road safety for motorcyclists and backseat passengers?

Mr Chee Hong Tat (Minister of Transport): We share the concerns of parliamentarians about motorcycle-related deaths. Over the years, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has implemented engineering measures to improve the safety of motorcyclists and backseat passengers. For example, we have adopted a more slip-resistant surface, implemented wider and more visible lane markings to encourage motorcyclists to stay in their lanes, and built motorcycle shelters under flyovers.

Building motorcycle lanes on highways is not feasible due to limited land and the fact that many highway sections are viaducts, overpasses, and tunnels that are not wide enough to build additional motorcycle lanes.

The Government remains committed to improving the safety of motorcyclists and other road users and will continue to implement various initiatives and measures to enhance road safety. The Land Transport Authority, the Traffic Police and the Road Safety Board of Singapore conduct various outreach activities each year to engage key stakeholder groups. These include Singapore Road Safety Month and Singapore Safe Cycling Campaign, which encourage all road users to do their part to keep the roads safe and motorcyclists to adopt safe riding habits.

The following is the content of the question in English:

Mr Murali Pillai asked the Minister for Transport having regard to the continued increase in motorcycle-related fatalities on expressways since 2022 (a) whether LTA will reconsider the proposal to construct motorcycle lanes on expressways; and (b) what other structural measures is LTA considering to enhance and promote road safety for motorcyclists and pillion riders.

Mr Chee Hong Tat: We share the Member’s concern with motorcycle-related fatalities. Over the years, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has implemented engineering measures to improve the safety of motorcyclists and pillion riders. For example, we started using more skid-resistant road surfaces, implemented wider and more prominent lane markings to encourage motorists to keep in lane, and built motorcycle rain shelters below flyovers.

It is not feasible to construct motorcycle lanes on expressways given our land constraints, and also because many expressway sections are viaducts, flyovers and tunnels which are not wide enough to construct additional motorcycle lanes.

The Government remains committed to improving the safety of motorcyclists, as well as other road users, and will continue to work on various initiatives and measures to enhance road safety. LTA, the Traffic Police and the Singapore Road Safety Council have various outreach activities to engage key stakeholder groups annually. These include the Singapore Road Safety Month and the Singapore Ride Safe Campaign, which encourage all road users to do their part in making our roads safe and motorcyclists to practise safe riding habits.

KT丨Editor

HQ丨Editor

Singapore Parliament丨Source

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