I REFER to the report “KL mulls kap chai ban to cut emissions” (The Star, Jan 16), which quoted the Federal Territories Minister saying that these small motorcycles may be banned in this city of 1.7 million people. If it is implemented, the ban would be a great service to the long-suffering people here. In fact, the minister does not have to wait for public transport to catch up; it already has. It is only a matter of changing the habits and mindsets of motorcycle users.
On a recent visit to Athens, Budapest and Warsaw, capital cities of three middle-income countries like Malaysia, I was struck by the absence of motorcycles on their roads. These cities will enlighten us to the fact that societies aspiring to be developed and civilised prioritise the people’s health and comfort.