Coalition of cyclists appeals to Transport Minister for bike lanes

A coalition of cycling groups plans to send an appeal to the Transport Minister, Anthony Loke, to provide bike lanes and to boost road safety for cyclists.

Asia Cycling Network (pic), which represents 62 Malaysian cycling groups, says the recent road accident involving former Airasia X CEO, Azran Othman Rani, at Jalan Duta, Kuala Lumpur on May 28, is just a small fraction of accidents involving cyclists (see list below).

As such they are requesting the Transport Ministry's cooperation to 1) allocate bicycle lanes on roads and 2) provide signboards and cyclist crossing lights or beacons.

In the memorandum of appeal to be sent to the Minister, they are asking for short term goals to have bicycle lanes within a 5 km radius of (urban) schools and transport hubs such as bus, train and LRT/MRT stations.

ACN says that while it is heartwarming to note that some Local Councils have provided (or will provide) bike lanes, the coalition notes that many of these lanes are not connected with the larger urban fabric and are only suitable for leisure riding among local communities.