KUALA LUMPUR: The first-ever dedicated bicycle lane will be implemented here soon, stretching for 3km in the heart of the city.

The route will connect Menara DBKL 1 on Jalan Raja Laut to Menara DBKL 3, Bandar Wawasan, on Jalan Raja Abdullah.

Kuala Lumpur City Hall senior deputy director (civil engineering and urban transportation department) Sabudin Mohd Salleh made the announcement after hosting Latin American ambassadors from eight countries at its Integrated Transport Management Centre (Itis) in Bukit Jalil on Tuesday.

He said that the route is a pilot project and will be ready for the World Urban Forum in 2018.

"This is not just a dedicated bicycle lane, it is also segregated, which means that vehicles can't get on this lane.

"We have been planning this for a long time and it is time and we catch up with other world class cities and provide these facilities.

"Whether or not people use it is besides the point. People who are conscious of its benefits will embrace it and others will learn to as well,'' he said.

Sabudin said if the pilot project proved effective, plans to introduce more dedicated bicycle lanes would proceed , which would be integrated into public transportation facilities.

DBKL project management executive director Datuk Mahadi Che Ngah said the city was moving towards sustainable living and steering its citizens to embrace a healthier way of life.

"We have introduced new policies, from reducing car parking bays, creating more park and ride facilities outside the city to encourage people to take the LRT and MRT.

"We are even looking into the possibility of introducing congestion charges as a last resort if we have too,'' Mahadi said.