Proposal for Motorcycle Lanes on Expressways Given Increase in Motorcycle-related Fatalities
Ministry of TransportSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Mr Murali Pillai’s inquiry into the feasibility of constructing motorcycle lanes on expressways and other structural measures to address rising motorcycle-related fatalities. Minister for Transport Chee Hong Tat stated that dedicated lanes are not feasible due to land constraints and narrow expressway sections such as viaducts and tunnels. He highlighted implemented engineering measures like skid-resistant surfaces, prominent lane markings to keep motorists in lane, and rain shelters under flyovers. The Government continues to promote safety through the Singapore Road Safety Month and Singapore Ride Safe Campaign to encourage safe riding habits. These outreach efforts involve collaboration between the Land Transport Authority, the Traffic Police, and the Singapore Road Safety Council to engage key stakeholders.
Transcript
49 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.