Macau moves to steer motorcyclists into dedicated lanes

[Photo: Renato Marques]

After a fatal accident involving two motorcycles on the Ponte da Amizade, local authorities said they will optimize the road network, traffic signals, and diversion signage in Zone A of the new landfills to direct motorcyclists to the dedicated motorcycle lane.

The fatal crash on the Ponte da Amizade occurred earlier this month and was the latest in a string of deadly motorcycle accidents on the crossing. Police data show the bridge was the city’s most accident-prone road in the first half of this year.

The topic was discussed yesterday morning on public broadcaster TDM’s radio program, with the Transport Bureau (DSAT) responding to a media inquiry that any adjustment to cross-sea bridge traffic arrangements must take into account overall traffic flow, residents’ travel needs, road safety, the impact on the surrounding road network, and social consensus.

The bureau acknowledged that it has already established dedicated motorcycle lanes on the Sai Van Bridge and the Macau Bridge, providing riders with more travel options and improving safety. It said it would guide motorists to these lanes by optimizing the road network, traffic signals, and diversion signage in Zone A.

It also stressed that it places great importance on cross-sea bridge safety and will work with relevant entities to continuously review and improve bridge traffic arrangements through education, publicity, and road facility improvements to raise drivers’ safety awareness and improve the safety of roads and bridges.

Meanwhile, two program guests held differing views on whether to ban motorcycles from the Bridge, which has been in service since 1994. One noted that traffic conditions on the bridge have exceeded its design capacity and basic function, making it clearly unsuitable for motorcycles, and hoped for a gradual ban in the future.

On the other hand, another argued that a blanket ban at this stage is inappropriate and should wait until society reaches a consensus, but urged the authorities to step up publicity encouraging riders to use the dedicated motorcycle lanes on the Sai Van Bridge and the Macau Bridge, while agreeing that the Ponte da Amizade shoulder should be clearly designated as a dedicated lane and closed to motorcycles.

“[The Ponte da Amizade Bridge] has a white line, and previously many people assumed it was for motorcycles; in fact, that white line marks an emergency lane, and any traffic accident occurring inside it is also illegal. So, is this bridge really suitable for motorcycles?” said Lei Chong Sam, president of the Macau Motorcycle Professionals Association, urging the authorities to study how to adapt to current traffic conditions, including speed control and other restrictions.

A string of deadly accidents

On the evening of October 3, two motorcycles collided near the middle section of the bridge in the Taipa-to-Macau direction, killing a 20-year-old local male rider. Police received the report at about 7:10 p.m. Both riders were Macau residents, and the 20-year-old was taken to Conde S. Januário Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 8:16 p.m. that evening.

On December 6, 2025, a motorcycle collided with two heavy buses in the same direction, killing the 25-year-old rider and injuring a female passenger in her twenties.

Official figures show 157 motorcycle-related accidents on the bridge in 2021, compared with 169 in 2019, about 39.6% of all accidents on the crossing that year.

Earlier fatal crashes include a 46-year-old woman killed in September 2019 when she was dragged under a box truck on the approach ramp to the northern district; a 53-year-old man who died in October 2018 after hitting the rear of a truck; and a 55-year-old woman struck and run over by a casino shuttle bus in November 2013.

The bridge was the city’s most accident-prone location in the first half of this year, with 181 traffic accidents recorded.

Lawmakers have noted its narrow carriageway leaves motorcycles with insufficient safe riding space, forcing many onto the shoulder.