KUALA LUMPUR – Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) is still studying a proposal to gazette bicycle lanes in the capital city following recent concerns raised by public transportation activists.
In a statement to The Vibes, the city hall said that more studies are needed to legally enforce the blue lanes as some roads involved need to be identified according to suitability, among other considerations.
“Since the gazette must be made under the Road Transport Act 1987 (Act 333) and other related regulations, discussions must first take place with the Transport Ministry and other agencies such as police and the Road Transport Department,” DBKL said in a statement to The Vibes.
Until the designated bicycle lanes are gazetted, it is unclear if motorists can face enforcement action for obstructing or encroaching on these lanes.
The issue was reported by The Vibes earlier this month following a statement by public transport advocacy group Transit Malaysia at a “Safer Streets” meeting recently.
The meeting discussed, among others, how to improve accessibility in Kuala Lumpur through safer street design and land use. It was organised by Bike Commute KL, Global Designing Cities Initiative, Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety and the Malaysian Institute for Road Safety Research.
At the meeting, Transit Malaysia steering committee member Zac Cheong raised concerns over the technicalities of the respective blue and green lanes in Kuala Lumpur and George Town.
“In particular, for Kuala Lumpur folk, many are not aware that DBKL and relevant authorities have yet to gazette or include the bicycle lanes in by-laws or road rules,” Cheong said.
Surely there is a question mark on the provision under the law for local councils to take action against vehicles parked haphazardly, or against encroachment into the bicycle lane by motorised vehicles.
The bicycle lanes, which were introduced in stages as a road-sharing concept in the inner city since 2015, have been a subject of displeasure among car drivers and motorcyclists.
Some motorists have expressed unhappiness over the decision to reduce the lane width in order to accommodate space for cyclists on the left side of the road.
“It is important that local councils resolve this matter as soon as possible for the sake of road safety, accessibility and enforcement,” Cheong stated.
The Vibes is also seeking clarification from Penang Island City Council on the status of its green lanes. – The Vibes, December 15, 2022
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