Why the Ministry of Transport Is Making ABS Compulsory on Bikes from 2026

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has made a landmark decision based on the increasing number of bike road accidents.

The ministry has announced all bikes which are to be sold on or after January 1, 2026, must be equipped with ABS, i.e. Anti-lock Braking System.

After thorough research and consideration, the government concluded that most bike road accidents occur because of front wheel locking during sudden panic braking. This also occurs when bikes skid due to sudden application of the brakes.

ABS prevents the wheels from locking up during hard braking and allows steering past obstacles.

This is how ABS works.

It has wheel speed sensors that watch for a rapid drop in acceleration. It rapidly releases the brake pressure up to 20 times in a second. This mechanism of ABS helps the wheels to prevent locking up.

This decision by the transport ministry is sure to shake up the bike market of India but is a welcoming one as well.
Not only that, it also directed the bike dealerships to provide not one but two BIS-certified helmets.

The high-end premium bikes like Royal Enfield, Yamaha MT 15 V2, TVS Apache RTR 160, etc., are not going to be affected, as they already come with an ABS safety system.

But bikes made under the 110cc mark priced under ₹1.5 lakh are going to see a hike in cost from next year.

However, if safety is a priority, then it’s a good move by the government. Even if bikes are going to be costlier in the future.

Disclaimer:
The content presented in this article is derived from publicly available sources, speculative media reports, and unofficial information. No official statement, specification, or confirmation has been released by the manufacturer at the time of publication. This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as factual or final. Readers are advised to consult official communications and verified announcements from the manufacturer for accurate and up-to-date details. The publisher assumes no responsibility for any decisions made based on the information herein.