Faisalabad introduces dedicated bike lanes on major roads

Authorities roll out lane system to reduce accidents, protect two-wheeler commuters

FAISALABAD:

Residents of Faisalabad, widely known as the "Manchester of Pakistan", have welcomed the city administration's decision to introduce dedicated bike lanes for motorcyclists and cyclists, calling it a long-overdue step toward safer and more inclusive road infrastructure.

City managers have begun marking and reserving separate lanes on major arteries, a move many citizens describe as recognition of the basic rights of millions of two-wheeler users.

It is the first time in the city's history that such a structured initiative has been implemented.

Previous master plans had largely remained silent on the provision of separate bike lanes, except for a 1978 structure plan adopted by the Faisalabad Development Authority (FDA), which proposed the concept but was never implemented.

Muhammad Asghar, a retired FDA chief engineer, said the Metropolitan Corporation and Highway Department appear to be following international standards in developing the lane system.

"Globally, bike lanes prioritise safety through clear separation, with recommended widths of at least 1.5 meters for one-way lanes and 3.5 metres for two-way lanes," he explained.

He added that on-road cycle lanes should be strictly reserved for cyclists and clearly marked with solid white lines, with motor vehicle entry prohibited. He also suggested deploying traffic staff to enforce compliance across major roads within urban limits.

Khalid Mahmood, a retired Metropolitan Corporation engineer, termed the initiative a "giant step toward civilization."

He said earlier planning documents had overlooked the needs of millions of underprivileged citizens who rely on motorcycles and bicycles for daily commuting.