Filenews 22 April 2025 - by Angelos Nicolaou
The Department of Public Works of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works is taking important steps to enhance the road safety of motorcyclists, through the upgrade of the railings on the motorways. The aim is to reduce serious injuries and fatal road accidents involving one of the most vulnerable groups of drivers on the roads: motorcyclists.
After consultations with organized motorcyclists, it was recorded that exposed supports of traditional railings pose a serious risk in cases of accidents. In response, the installation of passive protection systems – special coatings under the metal railings – that act as a "safety net" for riders, limiting contact with sharp or hard surfaces, is being promoted.
To date, such protections have been installed in a total length of 26 kilometers on the Nicosia-Limassol motorway, while 25 kilometers have been covered in both directions on the Nicosia Ring Road, from the Lakatameia Industrial Zone to the Dali Industrial Area.
Similar interventions were made in Limassol, with the installation of protective equipment in:
● The Limassol – Saitas motorway (1.7 km),
● The junction of the "Alpha Mega" stadium (2.4 km),
● The Limassol Hospital junction on the Limassol – Paphos motorway (6.5 km).
At the same time, in all new road projects under construction, provision for passive protection of motorcyclists has been integrated. Indicative examples are the Astromeriti-Evrychos motorways (13 km) and Nicosia-Palaichori (20 km).
The implementation of these measures fills a significant gap in road safety, protecting motorcyclists from the fatal consequences of slipping or impacting the metal parts of the railings.
As competent bodies point out, this is an investment in prevention and the preservation of human life, with direct benefits not only for motorcyclists themselves but also for society in general, as traffic accidents and the related socio-economic impact are reduced.
