The bicycle lane from Mid Valley to Dataran Merdeka, which is scheduled for a launch next week, will provide an alternative for users using their own transportation or public transport services.
According to Cycling Kuala Lumpur founder Jeffrey Lim, the information gathered by him and fellow cyclists are being used on this project by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).
Going beyond taking cycling as a leisure activity, Lim said this facility is for individuals wanting to cycle to go to the office.
“This project taken by DBKL has a high impact with a low cost. The route from Mid Valley to Dataran Merdekan is just one of the six routes to enter Kuala Lumpur’s city centre.
“Users from Klang, Subang Jaya, Sunway, Petaling Jaya can use the motorcycle lane on the Federal Highway before entering the city on the bicycle lane,” he said when met after a meeting with DBKL regarding the launch of the bicycle lane.
He said told Astro Awani that even though the trend of cycling is relatively new in Malaysia as compared to other countries but this is DBKL’s first step to make the city cyclist-friendly.
“This is a pilot project and there are many challenges. For example, the issue of gazette lanes. There are not enough cyclists for DBKL to use it as a reason to gazette lanes dedicated for cyclists.
“There should also be policies by Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD), Transport Minitry, and Federal Territories Ministry. There should be inter-departmental cooperation. So far only DBKL is initiating this. There should be a national transport police to include cycling as an alternative mode of transportation,” he said.
Lim added, cycling is inter-related with the current mode of transportation.
“We need to know how this system will work with existing transportation system.
“For example, can the bicycle enter the train, bus and taxi? It may be an alternative but it is not the sole solution,” he said.
In January, Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Ahmad Phesal Talib said the project is being implemented following the success of KL Car Free Morning.
In addition to the Mid Valley-Dataran Merdeka route, among other route which will be implemented is in the Wangsa Maju and Batu area.
Farah Wahida, Editor of PropertyGuru, wrote this story. To contact her about this or other stories email farahwahida@propertyguru.com.my
