Bikes come first in KL

A new motorcycle stopping zone is being trialled at certain intersections in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur, in an effort to reduce accidents and especially collisions between pedestrians and motorcycles or scooters.

Ushered in by Kuala Lumpur City Hall, the designated intersections feature a red rectangle with white markings for motorcycles and scooters at the head of the traffic, with all cars, buses and trucks to remain behind. Each rectangle can accommodate around 20 bikes.

Powered two-wheelers have to stop in this rectangle once they’ve filtered to the front of the queue at a red light, with those stopping outside of the rectangle liable for a fine of up to A$30.

The city's mayor, Mohd Amin Nordin Abdul Aziz, said it was hoped the measure would improve road safety but also reduce the incidence of 'snatch thefts', where a motorcycle-borne assailant smashes the window of a stopped car and steals the occupant's handbag or other valuables.

The motorcycle zones have already been rolled out at three major intersections in Kuala Lumpur, with plans to add one further intersection per month in the months ahead.

A three-month trial is currently underway, with fines to apply after the trial's conclusion.

What do you think? Could designated motorcycle and scooter stopping zones at busy intersections aid traffic flow in Australian cities – or would it simply promote a MotoGP-style start? Let us know what you think in the comments box below…