Is ‘no motorcycle in underpass’ ruling legal?

of a recent early morning incident in Penang where a motorcyclist was killed when his machine rammed into a trailer truck in the underpass connecting Jalan Masjid Negeri to the Penang Bridge.

The shutting down of the underpass after the accident led to traffic diversions that caught many motorists unawares. It also caused massive congestion in most areas.

Of course, the tragic news had to be conveyed to the family of the victim, who hailed from Kedah.

Once again, fingers will start pointing. Is it the fault of the local authorities for not putting up adequate signs to inform the public that the underpass is offlimits to motorcyclists? Are the words on the sign — “Motosikal dilarang masuk Lorong Bawah” (motorcycles not allowed in the underpass) big enough to be read?

The Penang Island City Council and the Malaysian Highway Authority must ponder these questions and arrive at their own conclusions.

Most motorcyclists use the underpass because it is a shortcut. Worse, some of them ride recklessly without a care for oncoming vehicles.

What about enforcement? How many motorcyclists who flouted the law by riding in the underpass have been caught and summoned?

And is this “no motorcyles in the underpass” legal in the first place?

The onus is on the Penang Legislative Assembly to pass a law on this ruling and gazette it or perhaps it just needs to go through the councillors.

This issue needs a multipronged approach. Not forgetting the need to educate the public on this ruling. It involves not just motorcyclists, but all motorists.