KL study on bicycle lanes

KUALA Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) is conducting a study to provide bicycle lanes at residential neighbourhoods and along the River of Life projects. 

This follows a series of fatal accidents, with the latest casualty being 37-year-old cyclist Rafizi Hamdan. Rafizi died in a hit-and-run accident at Km20.2 of the Middle Ring Road 2 near Taman Melawati on March 18, the second road accident involving a cyclist this year.  A few months ago, four national cyclists, Mariana Mohamad, Masziyaton Mohd Radzi, Mohd Azri Ahmad and Mohd Aziz Zahit were injured during a selection race for the Asian Cycling Championships when a car suddenly swerved into their path in Putrajaya. Last year, cyclist P.K. Yeoh was killed while cycling on the Maju Expressway in the morning. 

 "We are devising a comprehensive proposal, with the safety of the cyclists in mind," said DBKL consultant Norliza Hashim. 

Norliza said that the plan to prepare dedicated lanes for cyclists on main roads and highways needs an in-depth study. 

"We have to gauge responses from the public first before drafting any plan for bicycle lanes on roads and highways as there are many concerns which needs to be weighed."We need to integrate all other public transport services prior to bicycle lanes being provided on roads."There needs to be road reclamation to allow space for such lanes and if that happens, there needs to be an increase in public transport as well as parking facilities for both bicycles and other mode of travel." 

Norliza said that DBKL is planning a holistic approach in dealing with the matter and it takes time. "That is why we are planning to create bicycle lanes in neighbourhoods to encourage recreational cycling to see the short term response. "If that is encouraging enough, we will look into planning to have such lanes on main roads." 

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said that cyclists too needed to practise all safety precautions often made mandatory for motorcyclists. "When you are on the road, the risks are the same, regardless of what you ride on.

"Therefore, take the maximum precaution and use the necessary safety gear as well," he said when contacted by the New Straits Times. 

In light of the number of casualties, Malaysian National Cycling Federation deputy-president Datuk Naim Mohamad had asked road users to be considerate by sharing the road with cyclists. 

"They have the right, like other road users. "

Article By YISWAREE PALANSAMY AND EMILIA GAZALI | KUALA LUMPUR | news@nst.com.my