The bike lane project in Lahore is unlikely to be expanded further for now after facing difficulties. The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has decided to stop the expansion of the 10-km-long bike lane pilot project on Ferozepur Road due to problems.
Shortly after the project was launched, rains damaged the paint applied for the lane, while constant violations by other vehicles and weak enforcement made the situation more difficult. As a result, the expansion of the project on other major highways including Canal Road, Jail Road and Mall Road was postponed.
According to sources, the initial aim of the project was to provide safe travel for motorcyclists and reduce accidents. However, after the failure on Ferozepur Road, its prospects in Johar Town, Gulberg and Allama Iqbal Town have also faded.
The Punjab government had announced that if the project proves successful, it will be expanded throughout the city. Government sources now say that the project is likely to be restarted in the next financial year if it is effectively implemented on Ferozepur Road.
This decision shows that modern traffic reforms cannot succeed without good planning and strict enforcement. In a big city like Lahore, not only infrastructure but also a strict implementation system is necessary to make this project successful.
