Pindi's first biker lane dismantled

RAWALPINDI:

The first dedicated biker lane established at the Old Airport in Rawalpindi at a cost of millions of rupees has been dismantled, as authorities removed its boundary and merged it back into the main road.

The biker lane, marked in green and separated by boundary blocks, was introduced by the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) to keep motorcyclists on the extreme left side of the road. However, most riders ignored the restriction and continued to drive in the middle or right lanes.

The pilot project, which aimed to enhance rider safety and reduce accidents, failed to achieve compliance over several months. Traffic police, despite enforcing helmet laws, were unable to confine motorcyclists to the designated lane.

Officials said that the RDA also did not engage in meaningful coordination with traffic police to ensure the success of the initiative. The plan to extend biker lanes to other major roads, including Murree Road and Peshawar Road, has now suffered a setback.

The boundary blocks were demolished using an excavator, and the space allocated for the bike lane has been restored as part of the main carriageway.

It is worth noting that accidents frequently occur due to motorcyclists riding in the middle or right side of the road. While helmet use is essential, staying in the leftmost lane is also crucial for rider safety.