BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – Brunei is set to tighten road safety regulations for cyclists, including a proposed cycling ban on major highways and the rollout of designated bike routes across all four districts.

They move comes in the wake of two separate accidents involving cyclists and vehicles in the past month, which resulted in two fatalities and one hospitalisation.

The measures were outlined by the Minister of Transport and Infocommunications, Pg Dato Shamhary Pg Dato Hj Mustapha, during Thursday’s Legislative Council session.

The minister said the National Road Safety Council has developed a tiered plan to address current safety issues.

In the short-term, proposals include banning cycling on all highways and major roads with speed limits above 65 km/h, establishing designated cycling routes in each district, and updating the cycling guidelines.

In the medium-term, plans include installing “No Cycling” signage, updating legislation on cycling bans, and tightening regulations for traffic offenses. 

In the long-term, there are proposals to integrate dedicated bike lanes and cycling routes in local communities.

To enforce these changes, the government will make legislative amendments to the Road Traffic Bicycles Regulation, which falls under the Road Traffic Act.

Prohibited zones

Roads likely to be off-limits for cyclists include the Muara-Belait Highway, Tungku Highway, Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Highway, Rimba Highway, Pengiran Muda Al-Muhtadeebillah Highway, and Tungku-Jerudong Highway.

Other roads expected to come under the ban include Jalan Utama Mentiri, Jalan Kebangsaan, Jalan Utama Berakas, Jalan Junjungan, Jalan Penghubung Tanah Jambu, Jalan Labu Puni (in Temburong), and Jalan Rasau (in Belait).

Alternative cycling routes

The minister noted that the council is working with the Brunei Cycling Federation to identify a network of routes specifically for cycling activities. These include:

  • Brunei-Muara: The stadium pathway will be open daily, while Jalan Perdana Menteri, Jalan Ong Sum Ping, Jalan Kebangsaan, and Jalan Menteri Besar will be opened every Wednesday evening as a pilot project. The Bandarku Ceria route will also be expanded.
  • Tutong: The Bukit Bendera area.
  • Belait: The Kargu Dam route and Jalan Labi.
  • Temburong: Jalan Pekan Bangar.

These changes align with the Road Safety Action Plan, launched in late 2025, which aims to halve road accidents and fatalities by the end of the decade, said Pg Dato Shamhary. A key metric is ensuring 80% of major roads achieve a minimum “three-star” safety rating, which evaluates both infrastructure quality and driver behavior.

The minister stressed that public awareness campaigns will expand alongside these legislative changes to foster a culture of safety for all road users.