PUTRAJAYA – Police will take action against bicyclists here who fail to comply with safety rules, including the installation of bells, lights and brakes, starting January 9.
District police chief Mohd Fadzil Ali said errant riders will be brought to court and face a fine of up to RM2,000.
This is to ensure the safety of bicyclists in Putrajaya, which has an estimated 1,000 people taking part in the activity every Sunday, he said after the Bicycle Special Ops at Dataran Putrajaya here today.
“Cyclists who violate the law can be punished under the Road Transport Act 1987 and Road Traffic Rules 1959.”
He said action can be taken in accordance with Section 54(1) of the Road Transport Act for reckless riding, Section 79(2) of the same law for failure to comply with traffic signs, and Section 112(3) for committing cycling-related offences.
Individuals can also be charged under Rule 35 of the Road Traffic Rules for not installing lights on their bicycles, and Rule 42 for not having safety features, such as brakes and bells, “where the penalty is non-compoundable”.
He said Putrajaya recorded six accidents involving bicyclists last year, with all of them sustaining minor injuries, while 11 cases were reported the previous year, with one fatality.
“Police would like to stress the importance of undertaking cycling activities at the appropriate time and place, so as to reduce the risk of accidents.”
The Bicycle Special Ops, to be conducted until tomorrow, aims to remind riders about the enforcement that will take effect next week.
It follows the death of a woman bicyclist in a crash with a lorry on Putrajaya Bridge on December 19 last year.
Fadzil said Putrajaya police regret the negligence of organisers of a base jumping trial yesterday that saw Azuan Taharudin, 49, killed.
He said the organisers should have notified police of the activity, so that officers could make the necessary preparations and assessments.
The 5.35pm incident occurred when Azuan and seven other jumpers from Team Putrajaya Corporation were training in preparation for the upcoming Federal Territories Day celebrations.
Fadzil said police will ask for a show-cause letter from the corporation for not informing the force about the training session.
The case has been classified as sudden death. – Bernama, January 2, 2021
