The Faisalabad administration has started developing dedicated lanes for motorcycles and bicycles on major city roads, a move that residents have welcomed as a long-overdue step toward safer urban road infrastructure.
The city has begun marking and reserving separate lanes for motorcyclists and cyclists, marking the first structured implementation of such infrastructure in Faisalabad’s history. Although the Faisalabad Development Authority proposed separate bike lanes in a 1978 structure plan, the initiative was never implemented, and subsequent urban planning frameworks did not carry the proposal forward.
Muhammad Asghar, a retired chief engineer of the Faisalabad Development Authority, noted that the Metropolitan Corporation and Highway Department are designing the lanes according to international standards. He explained that global guidelines recommend a minimum width of 1.5 meters for one-way lanes and 3.5 meters for two-way lanes. Cycle lanes must remain clearly marked with solid white lines and reserved strictly for cyclists. Traffic staff may also be deployed on major roads to ensure compliance.
Khalid Mahmood, a retired Metropolitan Corporation engineer, praised the initiative, emphasizing that previous urban planning overlooked the needs of millions who rely on motorcycles and bicycles for daily commuting. He described the project as a major step forward for road safety and commuter convenience.
