Islamabad, Jan 28: Motorcyclists are raising concerns about the safety of the newly constructed bike lane on Ferozepur Road, highlighting potential hazards in its design. In a survey conducted by The News, many riders expressed fears over several openings along the lane that could lead to serious accidents.
The project, which was initiated under the direction of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, was meant to provide safer travel for bikers. However, the lane’s design has attracted significant criticism from the motorcycling community.
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The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has installed one-foot-high dividers along the far-left lane of Ferozepur Road, stretching from the Muslim Town Bridge to the Lahore Bridge near Arfa Kareem Tower. This has reduced the road’s total lanes from four to three, with the narrowing increasing to just two lanes near the Kalma Chowk flyover, potentially disrupting traffic flow.
Motorcyclists have pointed out dangerous gaps in the bike lane, particularly at the start and end of the Kalma Chowk flyover. These gaps create a risk for both bikers, who may need to switch lanes, and other vehicles that could inadvertently enter the bike lane. This is especially problematic near the Model Town underpass, where bikers exiting the flyover face increased danger.
Despite the concerns, LDA Director General Tahir Farooq defended the project, claiming that only essential openings had been included. He assured that the bike lane’s orange markings at crossings would alert bikers to slow down and navigate with caution. Farooq emphasized that the lane would reduce traffic congestion and help prevent accidents in the long run.
The LDA team, led by Chief Engineer Israr Saeed, has confirmed that 75% of the work on the bike lane is complete, and the lane is expected to open next week.
