Politicians in Malaysia who have urged people to cycle to work in the wake of the hefty hike in fuel prices recently are characteristically clueless about the way things are in the real world.
Ours is not an environmentally enlightened society. And cycling, while it used to be common among the working classes here before the '70s (my father used to ride a bicycle to work for more than 25 years), is now treated as something only fools and the impecunious engage in. That's because, despite the appearance of wide political support for it, especially at trying times like these, there has never been a concerted effort or well thought-out campaign to promote cycling as a viable means of transport in Malaysia.
As a proud non-driver who has been relying on bicycles for commuting and recreation for more than a decade, I'm fairly qualified to make some accurate observations about our society's attitude to cycling.
First, our society is not bicycle-friendly at all. In fact, most Malaysian motorists tend to regard cyclists as pests who deserve to be trodden on. Even when they're garbed in flaming rainbow colours, cyclists are almost always invisible to motorists on the road. That makes them extremely vulnerable at junctions, on narrow roads and areas where traffic is fast and furious.
I was once knocked down at a junction in Taman Tun Dr. Ismail by a Kancil driver who obviously thought he needed more room for his grand chariot than the lane assigned to him. The first thing he said when he stopped and got out of his car was, "I was only doing 30kph what..." He expressed no concern whatsoever about my broken fingers and bleeding arm. So much for caring motorists!
Then you have to contend with motorcyclists who seem to take perverse pleasure in spooking cyclists sharing their lanes. Never mind the cat-calls and ape-noises -- Evolution has obviously eluded some segments of motorised society! -- that I sometimes get when I'm riding in full racing gear on one of my road bikes. What's really scary and dangerously distracting is the sudden rev-up trick they like subjecting unsuspecting bicycle riders to. This kind of moronic monkeying is not only a dire threat to life and limb but also serves to recharge your contempt for anyone on a motorcycle.
And why are there no bike lanes in places where you need them most? It's fine having them in pretty public parks with costly vanity clocks that hardly anyone has the time to visit these days, but why can't our often benighted town planners find a way of accommodating the thousands of commuters who'd gladly hop on their bicycles if there was a way for them to get to work without worrying about murderous motorists and noxious fumes?
I'm fuming, and am in a mood to write a book-length treatise on the subject. But I think it'd be wise at this stage if I followed the silly "Curb your enthusiasm!" advice of a vacuous old editor at my old newspaper office and got out of here before I stop making sense...
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And on the off-chance that some VIP with the will and the power to make a difference is reading this, here are:
10 good reasons to promote cycling in Malaysia
1. Providing for cycling improves access for those in the community who do not have alternative forms of transport readily available.
2. Cycling helps reduce peak period road congestion, which has high community costs. It can reduce car use for short trips, such as to local schools and shops.
3. Encouraging cycling helps defer public expenditure on new road and car parking facilities.
4. If a greater proportion of people cycled this would combat global warming by helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It helps us to contribute to national goals to reduce our dependence on non-renewable fossil fuels.
5. Cycling offers a wonderful opportunity to improve health and fitness in a pleasurable way. The cumulative effect benefits both the individual and society, by reducing health-care costs.
6. The British Medical Association has estimated that 20 times as many 'life years' are gained through improved health from cycling, as are lost because of cycle-related accidents.
7. The dangers of a sedentary lifestyle are far greater than those posed by cycling on paths and roads.
8. On the total health scale, cycling exposes people to a low risk of a sudden and serious injury and a lower risk of poor health in later life, while a sedentary lifestyle exposes people to a higher chance of later-life serious illnesses.
9. Leisure cycling has great potential for growth. It can be a stimulus to tourism. It is a high-quality way to enjoy the city and countryside. It is also a good way to introduce people to cycling for their everyday transport needs and provides spin-off health and environmental benefits.
10. Increased cycling can help reduce traffic intrusion into residential areas, improving quality of life for residents.