The Government is planning to introduce dedicated motorcycle lanes on major roads across the country as part of efforts to reduce the rising number of motorcycle-related road accidents, Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Ratnayake has announced.
Speaking on the initiative, the Minister said the pilot project will be launched in Kalawanchikudy, where a section of the main road will be exclusively allocated for motorcycle traffic.
He noted that motorcycle accidents account for the majority of road crashes reported annually in Sri Lanka, making the introduction of dedicated lanes a significant step towards improving road safety.
According to the Minister, around 2,500 people lose their lives in road accidents each year, with the death toll expected to reach 2,750 by 2025.
He further revealed that approximately 1,400 motorcyclists and pillion riders were killed in 2019 alone, while nearly 9,000 people have died in motorcycle-related accidents over the years.
Ratnayake stressed that improving motorcycle safety is essential to reducing road fatalities nationwide.
As part of the pilot project, the motorcycle lane in Kalawanchikudy will be separated using physical or environmental barriers rather than conventional road markings, taking into account the high volume of motorcycles operating in the area.
