Motorcyclists Face Deadly Hazard on New Ayalon Highway Lane

A new fast lane on Israel's Ayalon Highway, designed for buses and public transportation, has created a new danger for motorcyclists. The 60-kilometer lane, stretching from Rishon LeZion to Hofit in both directions, is separated from other traffic by yellow plastic bollards. While intended to prevent unauthorized vehicles from entering, these bollards pose a significant risk to motorcyclists, particularly if they are forced to swerve.

Transportation engineers describe the bollards as being like a "wall," leaving motorcyclists with very little room for error. Aviad Avrahami, editor of the motorcycle magazine "Full Gas," explained that the danger isn't from riding within the lane, which is forbidden for motorcycles, but from riding alongside it. If a car forces a motorcyclist to swerve towards the bollards, the consequences can be fatal, as there is no longer a shoulder to maneuver onto.

Officials from the National Road Safety Authority maintain that the bollards have been approved by the Ministry of Transportation and are designed to protect all road users by keeping unauthorized vehicles, including motorcycles, out of the lane. Gili Cohen, CEO of the authority, stated that motorcycles are prohibited from using the lane and should ride in other lanes where they are permitted.

However, motorcyclists argue that the bollards create a false sense of security, leading them to believe they can hit them without consequence. Omri Matar, a transportation engineer and road safety expert, stressed that motorcyclists must treat the bollards as they would a solid wall. Several accidents have occurred since the lane opened, including a fatal one recently where a motorcyclist reportedly tried to evade a car that swerved into his path.

Motorcyclists are calling for the bollards to be removed and replaced with a different enforcement mechanism, emphasizing the need for a solution that prioritizes the safety of all road users while the effectiveness of the fast lane in reducing traffic congestion is still being evaluated.