Money Talks: Bicycle commuting in Malaysia

If you spend hours every day driving to and from work, you probably dread your commute. In fact, every year, traffic jams result in billions of dollars of lost economic activity.
So it's no surprise that growing numbers of people in Europe and the U.S. are taking to bicycles. Now that trend is also catching on in parts of Asia. Azhar Sukri reports Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur.

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[@cnay2983]

It's not about providing cycling infrastructure, the problem is car-dependency. Yes, cycling infrastructure will help but it can't go on business as usual. You can't add on to the traffic infrastructure you will just add to the problem. Bicycles are a great tool to take back public space in Malaysia. “Bicyclists represent a different and somewhat rapid form of foot traffic, but in terms of sensory experiences, life and movement, they are part of the rest of city life. Naturally, bicyclists are welcome in support of the goal to promote lively, safe, sustainable and healthy cities” (Gehl, 2010, p182). The current model of transport in Malaysia is from one internal space to another... cars are the most space intensive modes of transport available... pedestrianizing the city and putting the funds to public transport is the ONLY option in ALL cities. (obviously considering this may take 10s of years...) Removing large motorways and stitching together a city fabric suited to people. There are many precedent in other cities that have been removing motorways, Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro for example... Cars are deteriorating the public realm in Malaysia. I hope things change... Remember, some argue cities main purpose is to promote interaction... Cars prevent this, this is probably why KL is getting more racsist and dangerous, people have forgotten how to tolerate each other... traffic shares the most comprehensive relationship to public space, and public space is vital to have a civilized community. It isn't a question of transport, its a question about the well-being of society.

[@cnay2983]

Also, thank god for sek san

[@weldon29]

Fun, yes, safe, no.

[@hokonglim]

Hopefully more and more Malaysians bike everyday like here in China.

[@ericthawin6900]

Man I wish I can easily cycle on street without worrying for my safety all the time ,being a cyclist in these roads are so dangerous

[@iguava]

Not until we have dedicated bicycle lane.