Are motorcycles required to use the motor vehicle lane?
2 Answers
Certainly, motorcycles should use the motor vehicle lane. If there is a designated motorcycle lane, they must use it; otherwise, they should generally drive on the rightmost lane. Here are the relevant details: Correct driving practices: On some roads (non-motorized vehicle lanes) where signs indicate shared use by non-motorized vehicles and two-wheeled motor vehicles, motorcycles should follow the signage. If a motorcycle is involved in an accident in a non-motorized vehicle lane, traffic police will first determine it as driving in the wrong lane. Riding a motorcycle in a non-motorized vehicle lane, especially during peak hours (use your judgment), poses a higher risk than riding in the motor vehicle lane. Therefore, with all proper documents, motorcycles should use the motor vehicle lane. Wearing helmets: As motorcycles are classified as motor vehicles, they should use the motor vehicle lane and stay on the right side of the road. On roads with multiple lanes, they should use the rightmost lane. If the rightmost lane is a dedicated lane, they should use the lane adjacent to it. Motorcycles must have license plates and insurance, and riders must hold either an E or D license and wear a safety helmet. For light motorcycles, riders must hold at least an F license and wear a safety helmet. Passengers must not sit sideways; they should sit astride and wear a safety helmet.
I've been riding motorcycles for nearly ten years, and my road experience has convinced me that motorcycles must use the motor vehicle lane in most areas unless clearly marked for slow riding on non-motorized lanes. In the city, I always ride properly within the traffic flow whenever I go out—it's safer and avoids tickets. I remember one evening when I was in a hurry to get home and tried taking a shortcut on a bike lane, nearly hitting a pedestrian, and was stopped and lectured by the police. Since then, I've never taken such risks again. Honestly, it's especially dangerous at higher speeds—motorcycle engine noise can startle cyclists. Developing good habits protects both yourself and others, and extra caution is needed during rain or at night.
