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Rio de Janeiro City Hall begins implementation of an additional 19 km of motorcycle lanes in the Lagoa-Barra area.
Published on 14/05/2026 - 12:34 | Updated
Rafael Mascarenhas Acoustic Tunnel receives dedicated lanes for motorcycles - Iago Campos / Rio City Hall The Rio de Janeiro City Hall has begun implementing 19 kilometers of motorcycle lanes in the Rafael Mascarenhas Acoustic Tunnel, on Rua Mário Ribeiro in Leblon, on Avenida Padre Leonel Franca in Gávea, and on Avenida Borges de Medeiros and Avenida Epitácio Pessoa in Lagoa. The plan is to expand motorcycle lanes along major traffic arteries, aiming to organize the flow of vehicles and reduce traffic accidents. In July, the Engenheiro Freyssinet (Paulo de Frontin) elevated highway will receive five kilometers. By December 2026, there will be 74 kilometers of interventions on strategic roads and important corridors, such as Lagoa-Barra, Avenida das Américas, Linha Vermelha, and connections between the South Zone and Galeão Airport.
– We are implementing the motorcycle lane in this section of the Rafael Mascarenhas Acoustic Tunnel, towards Barra da Tijuca. It will connect the Acoustic and Zuzu Angel tunnels to Rebouças, covering the entire Lagoa area, which has many motorcycle accidents. The motorcycle lane means more safety and better traffic organization, and it saves lives – stated Mayor Eduardo Cavaliere, who oversaw the start of the motorcycle lane painting late Wednesday night (May 13).
Motorcyclists will be able to use the motorcycle lane in the Rafael Mascarenhas tunnel, in the direction of São Conrado, starting this Friday (May 15th), when the painting will be completed. In the direction of Lagoa in the tunnel, the painting will be finished by the end of May. As for the roads around Lagoa, the painting work, depending on weather conditions, should be completed by the beginning of July.
– The motorcycle lane will speed up the passage of motorcycles and provide more safety. Around 67 vehicles pass through the Rafael Mascarenhas Acoustic Tunnel in both directions daily. The volume is very high. – said the president of CET-Rio, Marize Queiroz.
The roads will be painted with blue markings on the asphalt to delineate the space designated for motorcycle traffic. Motorcyclists will be able to use them with more discipline and safety, avoiding collisions, especially when traffic is slow. Cars will be able to pass over them, with caution, only when changing lanes.
The first motorcycle lane in Rio was created in 2024 on the Engenheiro Fernando Mac Dowell highway, in São Conrado, heading towards Lagoa, with a length of 2 kilometers. The corridor formed by Avenida Rei Pelé and Rua Teixeira Soares, in Maracanã, was the second location and received 2,4 kilometers towards the city center, and 1,7 kilometers towards Méier.
Studies indicate high adherence of motorcyclists to motorcycle lanes, with rates between 86% and 96%, in addition to improved organization of vehicle flow. However, the City Hall emphasizes that safety also depends on enforcement and speed control, with the use of technology, video surveillance, and radar.
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