Motorcycle lane
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Motorcycle lane is a main term for special lane for small vehicles such as motorcycles, scooter, bicycles, trishaw and many more.
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[edit] Motorcycles lanes in Malaysia
In some parts of the whole expressways and highways in Malaysia, there is an additional lane designated for motorcycles. These lanes are usually about half the width of a normal lane on the North-South Expressway and are positioned on the extreme left side of the main carriageway for each direction of travel. These special lanes are found in Shah Alam Expressway, Butterworth-Kulim Expressway, Federal Highway, Guthrie Corridor Expressway, Putrajaya-Cyberjaya Expressway and all major highways in Putrajaya.
Motorcycle lanes have a special shelter places that provide protection and shelter for motorcyclists against heavy rains. Usually, most motorcycles are located below overhead bridges, but some motorcycle shelters may be special booths in motorcycle lane.
On Malaysian federal roads, the motorcycle lanes are placed at the extreme left side of each direction and only separated from the main lanes by black-and-white stripes to enable motorcyclists to overtake slower motorcycles and to turn right to exit the road.
- See also Malaysian expressway system
- See also Malaysian Federal Roads system
- See also Road signs in Malaysia
[edit] Design issues
While the design of the motorcycle lanes on some federal roads in Malaysia can be considered as acceptable, the design of motorcycle lanes on expressways is often criticized by Malaysian motorcyclists due to several isues:-
[edit] Narrow lane
The average width of a typical expressway motorcycle lane such as on Federal Highway is only 2 m, which only allows speeds up to 70 km/h by underbone motorcycles. However, the width of the motorcycle is too narrow for bigger motorcycles as well as for overtaking purposes.
Motorcyclists exit the motorcycle lane when approaching an interchange via small off-ramps. Sometimes, the off-ramps are too narrow for the motorcyclists especially for bigger motorcycles, and some ramps may require motorcyclists to stop to look for the oncoming cars before it's safe to exit the lane. Hence, motorcyclists exiting motorcycle lanes may face risks of being collided from behind.
[edit] Dangerous corners
Every time when a motorcycle lane approaches an interchange, the motorcycle lane passes dangerous sharp corners as well as some tunnels. The dangerous corners are dangerous for motorcyclists if they are riding at high speeds above 35 km/h.
[edit] Extended distance
Besides risking the safety of the motorcyclists, the sharp corners when approaching an interchange also significantly increases the traveling distance for motorcyclists. The best example is the Seputeh interchange at the Federal Highway, where motorcyclists from Klang direction who wish to turn to Salak Expressway have to pass 2 roundabouts, several winding lanes and several tunnels, which wastes time.
[edit] Improper maintenance
Motorcycle lanes on Malaysian expressways are often criticized by motorcyclists for their poor maintenance. Some stretches of the motorcycle lanes are flooded with puddles even when it's not raining. Some stretches may have potholes and also covered with sand which often causes troubles for motorcyclists. The lanes are also poorly-illuminated and also less monitored.
[edit] Risks of robbery
The corners and tunnels of the motorcycle lanes can be potential sites for some robbers to rob motorcyclists due to the dark and hidden locations. Because of motorcycle lanes on expressways are completely separated from the main carriageways, motorcyclists have no escape routes from being robbed by the robbers. There are many reported cases of robberies along motorcycle lanes at Shah Alam Expressway and Federal Highway. As a result, many motorcyclists avoid using motorcycle lanes and only use them during rush hours.
[edit] Nailing syndicate
There are reported cases by motorcyclists whose tyres have been punctured due to hitting nails at the motorcycle lane. Shortly after their tyres have been punctured, suddenly there are some "kind" men waiting at a corner of the motorcycle lane who offer help to fix the tyre tubes, but with ridiculously high price. An average price of a tyre tube for a typical underbone motorcycle is only between RM8 to RM11, but they may charge even up to RM70[1]. It was suspected that they are the culprits who have actually put some nails on the motorcycle lane in order to make money easily.
