Pakistan: Diamond Lanes to be Established for Motorcyclists
Wire desk byline Sourced from Xinhua, Dawn, Arab News, Anadolu and Minute Mirror. Translated and abridged by the GSRRA Desk.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed the establishment of dedicated lanes, termed “diamond lanes,” for motorcyclists on all major roads in Lahore. This initiative is inspired by her recent visit to China, where she observed a similar system.
In a recent meeting, the Chief Minister discussed the concept with cabinet members and instructed Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb to oversee its implementation. The goal is to reduce the increasing number of severe motorcycle accidents.
According to an official, the Chief Minister noted that during her visit to cities like Nanjing and Zhanjiang, she saw separate lanes designated for bikers.
She emphasized that head injuries among motorcyclists are a leading cause of fatalities and long-term disabilities. Since motorcycles are a primary mode of transportation for many, ensuring the safety of riders is a priority.
Pilot Project to Begin on Ferozepur Road
The Chief Minister highlighted that in Beijing, bike lanes are entirely separated from main expressways by wide sidewalks. Following her instructions, the Senior Minister has initiated discussions to bring this plan to life in Lahore.
Senior officials, including the Director General of the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) and Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Athar Waheed, recently inspected the city’s main roads. They decided to implement the project on three-lane roads, starting with Ferozepur Road as a pilot project.
To proceed, the CTO has formed specialized teams from the traffic police. These teams will collaborate with relevant departments, such as the LDA and the Traffic Engineering and Planning Agency (TEPA), to prepare a feasibility study.
“We are working towards creating separate lanes for motorcyclists on key roads in the city,” the CTO confirmed. He added that these lanes, named “diamond lanes,” would be exclusively for motorcycle riders. Awareness campaigns will also educate bikers on the importance of using these lanes. Other vehicles entering these lanes will face strict fines.
If the pilot project on Ferozepur Road proves successful, the plan will expand to other roads with three lanes.
Reference Link:- https://propakistani.pk/2025/01/03/diamond-lanes-to-be-established-for-motorcyclists/
Zamir Ahmed Awan is the founder and Chair of the Global Silk Route Research Alliance, a think tank in Islamabad. He studied engineering at Shanghai University in the 1980s, and years later he went back to China as Pakistan's science counsellor in Beijing, from 2010 until 2016, working on science and higher education cooperation between the two countries.…
