ABS Compulsory on All 2-wheelers from 2026

• Dealers shall give two helmets with the delivery of a two-wheeler
• Entry-level two-wheelers to get expensive
• Detailed guidelines to be released soon

With the aim of curbing severe injuries and fatalities that two-wheeler riders sustain in accidents, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has made it mandatory for all two-wheelers to be manufactured with ABS (anti-lock braking system) from January 2026. Moreover, it will also be compulsory for dealers to provide two BIS-certified helmets for the rider and pillion with the sale of every two-wheeler. Detailed guidelines on these regulations will be released soon.

As of now, two-wheelers with a displacement of 125cc and above need to compulsorily have ABS, while those with smaller engine capacity shall incorporate CBS (combined braking system). The new regulations come in the wake of an increasing number of fatalities related to two-wheeler accidents every year. And as per the government data, a major share of these accidents took place due to the vehicle skidding under hard braking and head injuries. The government foresees a reduction in these incidents with the rollout of ABS and helmet-related regulations.

This is certainly a welcoming move by the government. As a matter of fact, the safety benefits of ABS far outweigh those of CBS, with the former preventing the locking up of wheels more efficiently under hard braking on slippery surfaces. On the flip side, this will also result in a considerable price hike for entry-level two-wheelers, which is largely a price-sensitive segment. The inclusion of a front disc brake along with ABS will most likely bring along an increment of over Rs. 5,000 for every model. Such a price hike would be a big downer for buyers of models like the Hero Splendor, Honda Shine 100, and Bajaj Platina 100.