Key points
- Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has ordered the creation of exclusive motorcycle lanes on Lahore’s busiest arteries.
- The pilot routes include Ferozepur Road, Multan Road and Canal Bank Road, where markings and signage will be installed within weeks.
- Traffic‑management officials are instructed to work with police and municipal bodies to ensure the lanes are respected and properly enforced.
- The initiative is part of a larger strategy to de‑congest the city and lower the high accident rate involving two‑wheelers.
In a high‑level meeting on road‑traffic challenges held on September 1, the chief minister directed the provincial traffic department to draft detailed layouts for dedicated motorcycle corridors. Engineers are to produce a design that separates two‑wheelers from motor‑vehicles, adds clear lane demarcations and installs warning signs at entry and exit points. Coordination with the Punjab Police is also mandated so that the new lanes can be monitored and violations penalised from day one.
Lahore’s traffic woes have long been aggravated by the sheer volume of motorbikes, which account for roughly 45 % of daily trips in the city. These vehicles often weave between cars, contributing to bottlenecks during peak hours and a disproportionate share of road‑traffic injuries. By giving motorcyclists their own space, the government hopes to streamline flow on routes that serve both commercial traffic and commuters, potentially cutting travel times for thousands of riders.
If the lanes are rolled out as planned, they could set a precedent for other congested Pakistani cities where two‑wheelers dominate the streets. Success will hinge on effective enforcement and public awareness, as well as the ability of municipal agencies to maintain the markings and address any bottlenecks that emerge from the re‑allocation of road space. The move signals a shift toward more nuanced, mode‑specific traffic solutions in Punjab’s urban planning agenda.