Two-Wheeled Perils on Malaysian Road
By Abdul Rahman Fahmi, Danish Jaffri, Fuad Nizam, Luqman Hakim & Muhammad Aliff
With all the cyclists on the roads, accidents and injuries are bound to happen, but these numbers are seeing a steady decline over the years.
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Statistics from the Ministry of Transport shows that over a 10-year period from 2009 to 2019, accident rates involving bicycles on the road are decreasing, and so is the rate of injuries and deaths.
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The drop in numbers also coincided with initiatives on opening up more infrastructure like bicycle lanes in large cities across the nation.
The Malaysian Government under the Department of City and Rural Planning under the Ministry of Housing and Local Government ran the ‘Green Neighbourhood Development Initiative’
Despite the reduction in accidents, death and injuries, the overlying question remains on what is fuelling these numbers, whether it is from infrastructure, cyclist behaviour or the road users’ behaviours.
The Cycling Condition and Woes in Malaysia
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Cyclists in Malaysia chimed in on their opinions with the current condition of cycling in the country’s roads.
Azlaili Abdul Rahman, 59, a retired lawyer and a passionate cyclist from Shah Alam who has been cycling since her early twenties opined that Malaysia has improved in providing facilities for cyclists especially for recreational cyclists.
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“Putrajaya, for instance, provides a recreational area for cyclists and families. It has a bicycle-only looping path called The Cycling Road.”
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Azlaili also mentioned similar cycling lanes provided in cities such as Kuala Lumpur and Cyberjaya.
“Despite all these cycling lanes, some of the lanes provided are poorly maintained, forcing them to use lanes shared by other motor vehicles.
Demarcated cycling lanes such as this do provide cyclists a lane for them to ride on, however maintenance of such road surface conditions are at times overlooked by the authorities.
Photo by: Fuad Nizam
“How are we supposed to use that lane with that kind of condition? There is no maintenance at all on the cycling paths,” she complained.
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Azlaili also added that authorities must strictly enforce the law where cycling lanes are not for parkings of cars and motorcycles.
Demarcated cycling lanes such as this do provide cyclists a lane for them to ride on, however maintenance of such road surface conditions are at times overlooked by the authorities.
Photo by: Fuad Nizam
“I find that there are many cars and motorcycles parked in the bicycle lanes when I’m cycling, especially in Kuala Lumpur,” said the retired lawyer.
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Ahnaf Irsyad Mokmin, 27, a commuting cyclist said that there is a lack of bicycle infrastructure. With no alternative roads available, cyclists are forced to use the main roads with other motor vehicles.
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Cyclists oftentimes have to share the road with other road vehicles that are bigger and faster than them and tend to be obscured by the blindspots of such motorised vehicles.
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“I believe cyclists are more prone to accidents compared to other vehicles on the road because we are the slowest compared to them and especially when we have to go to the main road where there are many large vehicles.
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“It is even more dangerous during traffic jams as the lorries may not see us, the motorcycles weaving in between traffic and they would not bother to check their blindspots and mirrors to see us cyclists,” Ahnaf lamented.
Cycling Infrastructure: Apples to Durian Comparison
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In the United Kingdom, cities such as Oxford call for its inhabitants to adopt cycling as certain portions of the city only allow bicycles on the road.
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Azlaili says this is predominantly amongst the pupils of the University of Oxford, where they have to cycle back and forth to campus.
She further compares Malaysia with other cycling countries, such as in the United States where cyclists are able to ride from Washington D.C. to Canada just by using the allocated bicycle route.
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“Cycling in Malaysia is not on the same level as other foreign countries. Sometimes they honk at us, spooking us from our bikes.
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“People should be patient, give space and then overtake us,” says the avid local cyclist.
Data sourced from PLANMalaysia, a government department in charge with town and country planning, stated that the specifications for bicycle lanes must have a minimum of four feet width without gutter and curbs.
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Whereas roads with side parking lanes and curbs must have a minimum of five feet width for cycling lanes.
Cyclists on the open roads also tend to ride in wide abreast configuration, posing a danger to themselves and other motor vehicles as they overtake.
Photo by: Fuad Nizam
As for now, Azlaili believes the local cycling lanes are good to accommodate a single cyclist, compared to recreational areas where it can afford to accommodate more cyclists.
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“In neighbouring countries such as Singapore, only cyclists riding in a group of five are allowed on the roads thus preventing obstruction to other road users,” Azlaili added.
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Echoing Azlaili’s standpoint, Ahnaf sees that many towns in Malaysia, especially the suburbs of Kajang where he resides are predominantly car-centric in terms of local developments.
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It proves to be an inconvenience for him and other would-be cyclists in the area as they are forced to brave through the traffic where cars and lorries pass through, making it an unsafe environment for cyclists.
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“If I am given the authority to improve the bicycle infrastructure in Malaysia, I would focus on town development.
I will build the residential area closer to the commercial area so people do not have to ride a car or motorcycle to go there because it is closer,” said Ahnaf.
Road Users’ Mindset Matters
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Many new cyclists who are eager to indulge in the sport, often disregard the basic safety rules that dismayed both fellow cyclists and road users.
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Fellow road user and driver, Eslah Putra, 28, felt that cyclists are a danger when they ride on roads that do not have proper cycling infrastructures.
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“It’s stupid for cyclists to ride on roads with no dedicated cycling lanes as they pose harm not only to themselves, but to others as well.”
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He stated that there is no hate on cyclists for using the roads, but he does expect that cyclists prioritize their safety and follow basic traffic rules.
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Azlaili also stressed that it is essential for cyclists, especially newbies, to educate themselves on the do’s and don'ts in cycling, so as to not be a nuisance to other road users.
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“We ask them to practice handling their bicycles elsewhere and not on the main road. Practice until you are confident enough, and only then should you ride on the main road.”
Dedicated ‘off-road’ cycling tracks such as this in Shah Alam allows new cyclists to get accustomed to riding in traffic without posing a danger to fellow road user.
.Photo by: Fuad Nizam
Azlaili also suggests bicycle sellers to make safety lessons for cyclists. She explained that the sellers should practise integrity and be concerned for their customers wellbeing, not just for profit.
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“People could lose their lives. Therefore you need both parties to use the road in a good way,” Azlaili added.
Through Ahnaf’s eyes, he sees two types of cyclists that are encountered on Malaysian roads, which are commuting cyclists and recreational cyclists.
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To him, the type that always misbehaves and draws ire from others on the road are the minor groups of recreational cyclists.
“These recreational cyclists are the ones who race against each other to see who is the fastest. They also do that to break their own personal best records”, he added.