Indonesia's Motorcycle Safety Standards Still Low, High Risk of Accidents

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Indonesia’s motorcycle safety standards are considered to lag behind other countries, even as the number of two-wheeled vehicle users continues to increase each year.

Transportation expert from the Bandung Institute of Technology, R. Sony Sulaksono Wibowo, assesses that this condition contributes to the high number of traffic accidents dominated by motorcycles.

“Current safety policies have not been able to provide equal protection for all road users,” said Sony in a written statement on Monday (27/4/2026).

“Road safety should be a right for all road users, not dependent on the ability to purchase vehicles. However, to date, existing policies have not been able to deliver equal protection,” he added.

Meanwhile, other users must face higher risks on the road.

Ironically, amid claims of declining accident numbers, economic losses from traffic accidents still exceed Rp 3 trillion, with motorcycles as the biggest contributor.

Data from the Indonesian Motorcycle Industry Association shows motorcycle sales reaching around 6 million units per year.

However, this increase in vehicles is not accompanied by a significant reduction in accident numbers, which are still dominated by two-wheeled vehicles and cause many fatalities.

Sony emphasised that without clear policy direction, this growth has the potential to worsen road safety conditions. “Fatal accidents can be prevented if there are strong safety standards on two-wheeled vehicles,” he explained.

He exemplified the importance of implementing modern braking technology to prevent skidding during sudden braking. “This modern braking feature is very useful for preventing fatal accidents and is recognised in many countries. However, in Indonesia, this safety aspect is often viewed as a cost burden,” Sony clarified.

In fact, Indonesia already has adequate policy foundations, including the ratification of global standards and involvement in the ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangement scheme.

Technical regulations related to braking systems are also governed by UN Regulation No. 78.

However, implementation at the national level is considered not yet optimal.

In comparison, Malaysia has mandated the use of globally standardised braking systems for new motorcycles with capacities of 150 cc and above since 2025.