MBPJ impounding bicycles raises questions over green city plan

KUALA LUMPUR – Petaling Jaya’s aspiration to become a low-carbon green city and improve connectivity is being questioned in the wake of parked bicycles being confiscated close to train stations.

The cycling community is stunned to discover that two cyclists were slapped with a RM250 fine each by the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) for parking illegally across the Taman Bahagia LRT station on April 27, and had to pay the fine to recover their bicycles after being impounded.

According to the duo, they were forced to park at the guard railing beside the public car park after the bicycle parking spots at the train station were fully occupied by motorcycles.

“I had to park my bicycle in another area since motorcyclists took the (bicycle parking) spots. 

“I locked the bicycle onto a fence before I took the LRT to work,” said Bike Commute Malaysia initiative director Justin Lee Kah Wai.

As a regular public transport commuter using a bicycle for his 2km daily journey from home to the LRT station on weekdays, the architectural design lecturer was shocked to learn that his bicycle parked at Jalan SS2/3 was missing.

“After I disembarked from the train at around 10pm, my bicycle was nowhere to be seen. It’s obvious the bicycle U-lock, which cost me RM200, had been hacked,” he lamented.

Thinking that the green vehicle might be stolen, he lodged a police report and continued his search around the area for the next 48 hours.

“I returned to the site for two consecutive days, and two witnesses claimed that they saw enforcement officers loading two bicycles onto an MBPJ lorry,” he said, adding that he had also placed a poster at the location offering a RM1,000 reward for its return.

After a five-day frantic search, Justin received confirmation that his bicycle was stored at MBPJ’s Innovation Centre in Kota Damansara.

“However, I could only pick up the bicycle after the seven-day withholding period was over,” he said.

He was informed that he had committed an offence under Section 43 (3) (9) of the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974.

The 33-year-old had to endure the bureaucratic process of recovering the bicycle with a RM10 cost for a letter of oath and paying RM53 in addition to the RM250 compound issued under Act 133.

Other than the inadequate cycling facilities in cities and township areas, Justin said the bicycle parking spots at train stations in the Klang Valley are often obstructed by motorcycles.

“The area is also poorly lit, making it unsafe to retrieve my bicycle at night. There have also been cases of theft in the area. On several occasions, I even found human faeces and vomit at the site, making the location unsanitary.”

He also lamented that other than the constant fear of bicycle thieves, cyclists also fear that the authorities will take (impound) their bicycles.”

The other bicycle owner, who declined to be named, said he was not considering recovering his bicycle.

“RM300 (cost to recover) is too much for that bicycle, so I’ll have to write it off. They can give it to the orphanage. I am still unhappy about the lock since they (MBPJ) are also essentially destroying our property,” the owner bemoaned.

Reacting to the news, the Klang Valley cycling community expressed dismay with what they described as a huge setback for commuters who want to adopt micro-mobility as a low-carbon transport mode.

“Despite claims by MBPJ to promote a low-carbon lifestyle, these challenges make it difficult for individuals to adopt cycling as a means of commuting.

“This is ridiculous from the officers. Please review and monitor the bicycle parking and ridiculous summons, and provide and encourage green mobility in the future. 

“Please progress or recruit green mobility project consultants to provide support,” suggests Lor Philip.

Another bicycle enthusiast who wished to remain anonymous said the authorities should have taken steps to encourage and promote bicycles as transportation options.

“This action (of impounding bicycles) aims to discourage and harass bicycle usage,” noted Peng Au-Yong.

At press time, The Vibes had sought clarifications from MBPJ. – The Vibes, May 28, 2023