The government of India has recently proposed a new safety regulation that mandates all two-wheelers sold in India to be equipped with an Antilock Braking System (ABS), regardless of the engine size. Currently, ABS is compulsory for all 2-wheelers above 125cc. The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) is likely to introduce a notification regarding this very soon.
It is estimated that entry-level 2-wheelers account for about 75% of the domestic market. In FY25, models between 75cc and 125cc made up nearly 2/3rd of the overall 2-wheeler sales. Notably, 2-wheelers are involved in 44% of road fatalities in India. Under this new regulation, all 2-wheelers, including entry-level variants, will be equipped with at least a single-channel ABS system from January 2026. As a result, prices are expected to rise by approximately Rs 2500 to Rs 5000.
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What is ABS?
For those unaware, ABS is a safety feature that prevents the wheels from locking up during sudden braking. In simple terms, when you brake hard, especially on slippery roads, there’s a risk the wheels might lock, causing the bike to skid or lose balance. ABS helps prevent this by automatically adjusting the brake pressure, allowing the rider to maintain steering control and stability while braking.
Benefits of ABS
- Reduces the chances of skidding during emergency braking
- Helps maintain better control, especially in wet or uneven conditions
- Significantly improves road safety
- Especially useful for new or less experienced riders
