65% of cyclists feel unsafe on the roads, call for dedicated bike lanes Brunei recorded 83 road accidents involving cyclists in past 5 years

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – Sixty-five percent of cyclists on the road feel unsafe, a recent survey has revealed, with 69 percent of respondents saying dedicated bike lanes should be introduced on Brunei’s roads

There have been 83 road accidents involving cyclists between 2014 and June of this year, with four resulting in fatalities.

The National Road Safety Council conducted the online survey in June 2019, polling almost 2,000 people. They shared the results on Tuesday during a high-level policy dialogue on cycling and road safety at the Centrepoint Hotel.

Five areas have been identified as high-risk for cyclists: the highway running from Muara to Kuala Belait; the Hassanal Bolkiah Highway; the DPMM Highway; the Tungku Link Highway; and the old road from Jerudong to Tutong.

Acting Director of the Land Transport Department, Hj Rozaly Hj Saidon, said the road safety council is looking into solutions to bring down the number of cycling accidents, including the feasibility of establishing cycling lanes and identifying alternative routes for cyclists.

Fifty-one percent of survey respondents said cycling on the highway should be limited. Seventy percent of the 2,000 respondents said they cycle on the roads for sport or leisure, while 29 percent said they don’t cycle. Just 0.96 percent said they cycle to work.

Hj Rozaly said the government will be rolling out an amendment to the Road Traffic (Bicycle) Regulations, 2006 which will establish guidelines for safety vehicles escorting groups of cyclists on highway excusrions.