In 2017, former Federal Territories minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Mansor suggested small displacement motorcycles, known to Malaysians as kapchais, be forbidden from entering Kuala Lumpur city centre. This was Adnan’s measure to reduce the amount of carbon emissions in the city.
However, Transport minister Anthony Loke is of the opinion such a measure was not practical even though there have been calls by some NGOs for it to be implemented. “We have to assess the practicality of such a measure considering the majority of riders use kapchais, estimated to be 16 million registered machines,” said Loke.
“The livelihoods of many will be affected if we ban those types of motorcycles and I see it as being difficult to implement,” Loke said in a The Star report. He added electric motorcycles could be considered as an alternative despite the speed and range of such e-bikes being low and slow.
Additionally, Loke said there are no plans to ban kapchais from using the toll highways. This was in answer to Member of Parliament for GPS-Petra Jaya Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof’s question in the Dewan Rakyat as to whether the Transport ministry’s stand on a suggestion to replace kapchais with vehicles that are safer in an effort to reduce fatal accidents.
Loke also said a suggestion to construct separate lanes for motorcycles was forwarded in the 12th Malaysia Plan. The lanes should be constructed in areas that are dangerous to motorcycles as well as in districts with high road accident statistics.
“The Transport ministry with MIROS and JKJR is recommending road safety move towards having separate motorcycle lanes despite it being expensive if it is just to construct one lane,” said Loke in his oral reply. In a related matter, Loke said police accident statistics showed youth between the ages of 16 to 30 comprised of the highest number of fatalities in road accidents. “In 2016, the number of youth who died was 2,818 and this number declined to 2,693 in 2017. In 2018, 2,449 youth died in accidents,” Loke said.
Citing a Bernama report, Loke elaborated that of the 2,693 fatal accidents involving youth in 2017, 72% of them died while riding or pillioning a motorcycle. This was in reply to the original question by Member of Parliament for PH-Lembah Pantai Ahmad Fahmi Mohamed Fadzil requesting data on the number of youth involved in fatal accidents between 2016 and 2018.
Loke also said MIROS is conducting programmes and activities to raise the level of road safety awareness amongst motorcyclists. Among these are intervention programmes such as My Safe Road, Commuting Support Safety Programme and the Motorcycle Safety and Technology Symposium.
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Whatever programs planned is useless if the mindset isn’t changed. Mat Moto takes things too lackadaisical (tidak apa). Traffic rules are not for them to follow. It’s as if the entire road belongs to them and rules regulations doesn’t apply to them.
Enforcement can only do so much, Mat Moto doesn’t fear enforcement officers. Again it’s the mindset.
They have no respect for others on the road, no respect for the law and no respect for their own safety and own life.
Ah Loke won’t be able to do anything about it anyways. This problem goes beyond what he can do as Minister. It goes way deeper than that.
Soon youl”ll be riding one.
Dont ban kapchai.
But enforce them to use thier own lane.
Semenyih, Cheras is getting oustanding population and development. More and more traffic/motorcycle. The jam is standstill. Let’s do something.
‘He added electric motorcycles could be considered as an alternative despite the speed and range of such e-bikes being low and slow.’
EV bike not only slow <100km/h. They dont get enough charging service too. This will create more hazard-bike stopping at the road shoulder, when the battery run out.
Please check out Japan/Taiwan E-bike that’s run on portable battery power pack, e-bikers only needs to replenish their power pack at 24hrs convenient stores.
Betuii YB… Budak2 nakal xbertempat basikal lajak, yg kene marah pulis dgn masyarakat..Kemon
just ban motorcycles altogether for whole nation, used car are cheap anyway!
Seems to be a common trait of politicians and NGOs, if something is not right then ban it. Unless there is an alternative choice then leave it be till a viable alternative is available.
Kapchais are not ideal but they are the future of personal mobility because the fuel economy per person per distance travelled is the best. In terms of pollution, it is the lowest per person if four stroke engines are used and unmodified.
What’s this? Wasn’t PH the ones championing the environment? Now uturn on this too?! It is possible if there is willpower and a plan. Just ensure sufficient public transports at all entry points to the CBD. Enough with the flying car nonsense, get things that can be done done right. We elected you to be Minister of Transport not Minister of Excuses.
And cars shall be prohibited entry too. PH was the ones championing the environment, we elected you to be Minister of Transport not Minister of Excuses.
The idea of dedicated lane is pretty compelling as motorcycle usually get disregarded in main road espcially highway
Then some sickos would put piano wires and almost couse some flers head decapitated. Make it visible from main road, then we can talk.
China prohibit motircyckes in major city centres.
i cant believe the ex minister suggested that…no wonder he got kick out from office!!
His side income in office lagi ler shocked…
The ministry should work with PDRM to equip Police conducting roadblocks adequately. Cameras, speed breaking equipments, protective gearing etc.
The malaysian police conduct road blocks like school prefects, they need to be more realistic and not endanger themselves.