In a 2023 annual report, Lahore City Traffic revealed data on traffic violations in the city during 2023. Not surprisingly, the bikers became on the top with 3,371,000 breaches. “Out of 4.8 million, most violations were done by the bikers in Lahore,” the police mentioned in a tweet. This is a serious issue and to resolve it, the Punjab government took an important step.
Just a few days ago, the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) introduced a new bike lane on Ferozepur Road to better manage traffic flow and promote safer commuting. Many people appreciate this effort to reduce congestion and create a more orderly system, while others believe it might be an unnecessary expense. The debate continues as Lahoris try out the new lane and see how it fits into their daily commute.
Let us give you an overview of everything you need to know about this bike lane in Lahore.
Starting and Ending of Bike Lane
This dedicated bike lane begins at the Kecheri Flyover near Arfa Karim Tower and stretches up to the Qaddafi Stadium flyover, totaling about 6 kilometers on both sides of the road. LDA took roughly 27 days to build the lane, and during construction, paint trucks and boxes could be seen to paint lanes in green and red. The idea was to create a clearly marked path that makes it simpler for bikers and cyclists to ride without interference from four-wheeler vehicles.
Color Coded System
The new lane follows a color-coded system to help every driver understand where they belong. The green road section with concrete barriers is strictly for bikes and cycles. Riders don’t have to worry about sudden lane changes by cars in this area, as no other vehicles are allowed in it, and no other vehicle can jump into that lane due to that concrete barrier.
Next, there’s a green section with broken white lines but no barrier. In this part, other vehicles can cross over if they need to, such as when making a turn, but they shouldn’t continue driving in it.
Then there’s the orange lane, which other vehicles can cross and even remain on briefly if needed. It’s there for drivers who might have to stop and take a turn, as well as for public transport, including rickshaws and buses, to load and unload the passengers.
Importance of Barriers
It might look odd to see a concrete barrier in the middle of the road, especially since you won’t find such barriers in many other countries. But in our local context, it seems the authorities believe it’s the only way to keep other vehicles out of the bike lane.
Without the barrier, cars, rickshaws, and even buses might swerve into the lane meant for bikes and cycles. Once a driver ends up behind the barrier, they can’t just jump out whenever they feel like it, so it forces them to stay in their proper lanes until they reach the next turn or exit. This rigid approach may feel extreme, but it’s designed to ensure people follow the lane rules, something many might otherwise ignore.
Problem(s) with Barriers
One primary concern with this project is the sudden appearance of a concrete barrier in the middle of the road. When you’re driving behind another car, and it shifts to the second lane because of the barrier, you may not notice it until the last second. This can cause panic and force you to make a sharp turn to avoid hitting it. In that split second, you risk colliding with vehicles on either side. It’s a design flaw that can catch even attentive drivers off-guard and lead to dangerous situations on an otherwise well-intended route.
Reflectors Issue
Then, there were yellow reflectors on the edges of the barriers; however, they were sharp and could cause injury to the bikers. However, they have been removed now, most probably after the complaints from the citizens.
Public Transport Issue
Another issue with this bike lane is that it often intersects with the stopping areas for public transport, including chingchi, rickshaws, and buses. It is a common practice of these transport drivers to stop suddenly and take a sharp turn to load or unload a passenger.
This creates a dangerous situation for bike riders who are cruising along in their lane, only to suddenly find a chingchi entering the orange lane to pick up or drop off passengers. These unexpected interruptions force bikers to brake suddenly or swerve, which increases the risk of accidents.
Although local transport drivers don’t have any other options as they have to load and unload passengers, maybe a public awareness campaign by traffic police can reduce this looming danger.
Advantage of Bike Lane in Lahore
One of the biggest advantages of this dedicated bike lane in Lahore is the smooth ride it offers to bikers. There’s no fear of a sudden overtake by cars, and you don’t have to worry about Rickshaws or Chingchis squeezing in. Since all bikes are moving together in a single lane, you can maintain a steady speed without constantly braking or shifting gears. This not only makes commuting less stressful but also saves time and energy for riders who would otherwise be dodging larger vehicles on the main road.
For car drivers, this bike lane offers a significant advantage as well. They no longer have to worry about bikers weaving dangerously in and out of traffic, often overtaking recklessly and coming too close to the car’s bumper. With the bike lane in place, cars can drive smoothly without the constant fear of sudden bike overtakes or risky maneuvers. This separation helps protect drivers from dangerous bikers and ensures a safer, more relaxed driving experience on the road.
Conclusion
This is a great initiative, especially for the bikers in Lahore, and with proper awareness campaigns and educating the masses, the problems with the initiative will be resolved over time. Further, the public should also play its role in making such projects successful because it is for the safety of all on the road, and its success will surely spread it to other cities, reducing traffic violations and chances of road accidents.
What do you think about the new bike lane in Lahore? Do you think it is a solution or a problem? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments section.
