Kudos to the BFM presenter and panel members for discussing openly the ‘sensitive’ topic of the benefits of switching to active mobility – an uphill challenge at a time when most of Malaysia’s transport infrastructure is focused on moving cars.
I strongly encourage you to listen to their podcast after reading the summary below.
The health benefits of active mobility enjoyed by Netherlands are laid out in this research paper “Dutch cycling: Quantifying the health and related economic benefits” by Elliot Fishman, Paul Schepers and Carlijn Barbara Maria Kamphuis.
In summary: “Compared with the capital investments by all levels of Dutch government in road and parking infrastructure for cycling of €0.5bn per year over the last decades, the annual benefits of €19bn [savings in national healthcare expenditure] are much higher than the annual costs.”
For more details about this chart, see here.
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This comparison “excludes private spending on bicycles and savings on fuel costs if the same trips were made by car”.
This Dutch paper shows that “investments in bicycle-promoting policies (eg improved bicycle infrastructure and facilities) would yield a high cost-benefit ratio in the long term”.
I believe the bus should be the backbone of public transport. Many street-level bus stops can be located as close as 400 metres apart.
Unfortunately, buses carry a stigma in the eyes of some quarters. They think buses are more suitable for the low-income group, less well-off students and foreign workers.
Given the terrible state of first and last-mile connectivity in the Klang Valley, especially the distance from homes to train stations and the ‘walkability’ of pedestrian walkways, cycling may provide an effective link.
Active mobility commuters combine the use of folding bicycles with buses and trains. They should be allowed to do this at all times unless the buses and trains are near 100% capacity, as in the case of the Kelana Jaya train line during peak hours.
The government should provide incentives for cycling: cycle lanes, safer crossings, junctions designed for cyclists and pedestrians, and mandates for buildings to have lockers, showers and changing rooms.
Several Dutch cities give priority to cycling routes by giving them shortcuts to their key destinations while cars have to drive around longer outer loops.
In Tampines, Singapore, bicycle routes are shortened by cutting through car parks between apartment blocks. In some European countries, cyclists can claim “no-carbon” tax rebates for cycling distances covered.
Personally, I don’t have an issue with the heat if I’m dressed appropriately. I can easily change and ‘dry clean’ when I reach my destination.
I avoid cycling near highways, exposed flyovers or streets where the council has ‘forgotten’ to plant trees.
I am more distressed by air and noise pollution. Check out research by Greenpeace showing the shocking number of deaths in Malaysia attributed to air pollution, which in Kuala Lumpur comes mainly from motor vehicles.
I dream of the day when the Road Transport Department (JPJ) will confiscate and clamp motor vehicles with loud modified exhaust pipes that exceed Malaysian standards.
Although this article focuses on the benefits of cycling, I am sure much research has been carried out on other forms of active mobility such as the benefits of taking public transport and walking.
To walk the talk or rather cycle the talk, please watch the video at the top produced by mysustainablefuture. It documents my twice-weekly commute from Taman Desa to KLCC and back.
Back in 2019, I used to take the Rapid KL bus no 650 to Pasar Seni and Go KL buses for one year. I thought it was impossible to cycle to KLCC – until I found this surprising route on one of my cycling expeditions.
Keep active, mobile and healthy!
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
I have been cycling and taking public transport since i scrapped my car 7 years ago. I find that the physical exercise from all the cycling and walking that i do in my daily commute to work, as well as for leisure and shopping, has improved my health and my fitness. No regrets. Stay active!