Hafiz Zubir was drenched in sweat, having cycled for the past few hours from Shah Alam in Selangor, all the way to the coastal town of Pantai Remis in Perak.
The sun was unrelenting, but the great views he got while touring the west coast on his trusty bicycle were worth it.
That 100km excursion in 2019 was the start of many cycling trips across the country for Hafiz, 25.
“The wonderful start and the outcomes I gained along the way have (been great), ” he said.
Since then, Hafiz cycles 50km daily; he tries to do longer trips at least once a week. Safe to say, he is a fan of biking tourism and would like to see this sector flourish in Malaysia.
Bike tourism, or cycling tourism, means to explore a destination on a bicycle. You can bring your own bicycle on a trip, and move from one town/village/city to another with it, or just rent one for the purpose of discovering a smaller part of the destination.
If you’re doing a complete excursion on your bicycle, then there would probably be a few stops you need to make along the way, and this would allow you to experience new cultures and food, meet interesting people and more.
In Malaysia, bike tourism has been around for more than 10 years now but is only now gaining popularity, in tandem with the increasing interest in the sport of cycling as a leisure activity.
On its website, Tourism Malaysia lists a handful of bike tours and trails that are available today. Most of these tours are offered by local tour operators and agencies, so if you’re interested in joining one, do get in touch with a licensed agent to make your enquiries.Get set, go
If you are just starting to dip your toe into the sport, there are many things that you would need to take heed of. The first thing you need to know, according to Hafiz, is to not rush into things.
“Start your route from home. The route does not necessarily need to be a long distance one or a particularly challenging trip, ” Hafiz advised.
He also shared that cycling can be an expensive leisure activity, more so if you’re planning to go on a bike tour. While bicycles are available in different price ranges, maintaining it could cost quite a bit. Also, for long-distance rides, it is perhaps wise not to choose the cheapest bicycle, as you would need one that’s sturdy, reliable, safe and can last the long journey.
Those who travel overseas with their cycling equipment may also need to buy folding bikes – which are usually pricier – and carriers too. Sometimes, you would also need to pay extra baggage charges for your bike... and not forgetting insurance too!
“Travel with your friends to cut some of the costs, ” Hafiz said, adding that you can also rent bicycles at the country or place you’re visiting, instead of transporting your own.
He feels all beginners should also do some research before going on a bike trip. “Planning for a biking trip is similar to planning for a road trip. Your trail should include places where you can get some rest, replenish your tummy and check on your bicycle, as it might have some problems along the way, ” he shared.
If you can, find out where the petrol stations or auto workshops are located on your trail, in case of emergencies.
Choosing the right accommodation can be tricky too, as, according to Hafiz, some hotels do not allow guests to bring in their bicycles. He said that homestays may be better options, or, if you’re keen, look for a campsite and pitch your tent for the night.
It is also vital to pack properly. Bring a basic emergency kit and gear, and secure them to your bike properly.
For those who are cycling on the open road, remember to always adhere to the rules and regulations for everyone’s safety. If you’re cycling on forest trails, then be wary of small animals that may cross your path.
Hafiz’s advice is to always be alert when you’re cycling, and to use hand signals when making turns and stopping. Wear a helmet at all times during your ride, and place reflector strips or stickers on your bicycle, helmet and shirt. This is especially important if you’re cycling at night.
Lastly, Hafiz said that one needs to learn about bicycle maintenance before going on a tour.
“Do the necessary research or join a course on bike maintenance. There are also many bike discussion groups on social media that you can join. You can learn about a particular trail you’re interested in from these groups.
“And if you see other cyclists on your trail, be sure to greet them and they will be happy to teach you, ” Hafiz shared.
Zig and zag
Touring on a bicycle can be very rewarding and addictive. Just ask Amir Arsad, 31, who quit his job as a full-time lawyer just so he can cycle around the world.
The social media influencer from Pahang said he is a huge proponent of “bikepacking”.
“A ‘bikepacker’ or a bike tourist is a traveller, but they use bicycles as a main transportation method, ” he explained.
With bikepacking, Amir said that one usually packs light and carries less load on their bicycle to be able to move faster.
Amir made headlines in 2018 when he cycled back to his home in Malaysia from Croatia, which is close to 10,000km in distance.
He has also cycled solo for 25 days in South Korea.
Closer to home, he undertook a 1,500km journey around Peninsular Malaysia.
Thanks to bike touring, Amir has learned to be more receptive to the different cultures around the world.
His most unforgettable experience was during his journey to Kazakhstan from China when he got to try horse meat and milk for the first time.
Amir enjoyed the mountainous Balkan landscape too.
He believes that there are many wonderful experiences that can be be enjoyed on a bike tour in Malaysia too as there are many scenic routes in the peninsular, and Sabah and Sarawak.
Terengganu, for one, allows cyclists to pedal among giant trees, big waves and scenic beaches along its coast.
“Riding at the Teluk Bidara Beach in Dungun, the Mok Nik Beach in Kemaman, and Penarek Beach in Setiu gave me such a chilled out and relaxing vibe. These journeys take away my worries and teach me to enjoy the view, ” said Amir.
Another memorable ride for him was one where he went to Kota Tinggi in Johor. Amir stopped at the town for the night, and visited the historical landmark, the Sultan Mahmud Mangkat Dijulang tomb.
He noted that you can decide which trail to take based on what you want to see or experience – something unique, something challenging, or something relaxing.
There are other fun rides to check out in every state. A ride through the city of Kuala Lumpur, visiting landmarks like Dataran Merdeka and Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad, is something we recommend you do if you’re new to bike tourism.
If you’re in Sabah or Sarawak, you can go on long-distance rides that would take you from one end of the Bornean island to the other.
A growing market
Many tourism stakeholders and operators have started to cater to the growing number of bike tour enthusiasts as these holidaymakers can potentially help boost rural tourism in Malaysia, as well as eco-tourism.
Hafiz and Amir said some of the initiatives taken by some of these companies, like Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTMB) and RapidKL, to accommodate cyclists are great, but there’s still room for improvement.
“It is very beneficial to us (cyclists) as we can venture on more routes with the help of the rail service providers, ” Hafiz said.
He added that facility development will contribute to economic growth as bicycle tourism becomes more popular.
At the same time, he hopes the Electric Train Service would add more routes to its schedule to further widen the cycling trail.
E-hailing services and buses should expand their services too to better cater to cyclists.
“In places like Europe, Kazakhstan and Iran, cyclists are allowed to bring their bikes into buses and trains for a fee. We should at least look into this option, or perhaps even come up with better ones, ” said Amir.
In terms of amenities, Amir suggested creating more safe campsites with facilities like toilets, shower rooms and electricity. These campsites could be marked on special bike tour maps to make it more convenient for tourists.
Small and medium businesses like cafes and workshops can also benefit from the promotion and expansion of bike tourism in the country.
The Basikal, for instance, is a place where you can get your caffeine fix, and bike repaired. The cafe in KL is owned by Akmal Azfar, who is passionate about bicycles and cycling.
“Cyclists bring business! Here, we handle maintenance of utility bikes like commutes or custom-made bikes, ” Akmal, 32, explained.
His love for the sport has even compelled him to conduct classes and courses on bicycle repair for underprivileged youths at his cafe-cum-workshop.
“Hopefully, developing the skills of these kids now will motivate them to help build the next generation, ” he said.
Akmal plans to start introducing a long-term bicycle rental programme for touring purposes. He believes that this will allow more people to enjoy what Malaysia has to offer in terms of tourism, while promoting a healthy lifestyle at the same time.
Amir agreed that the time is right to promote bike tourism to domestic travellers.
“The trend is growing day by day and this is the chance for the government and tourism industry players to generate or create new economic opportunities, ” he concluded.
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