KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 24 — Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) will review the use of rubber bicycle lane dividers with metal fasteners following public backlash which prompted it to remove the separators on Monday.
The local authority’s project management executive director Datuk Mahadi Che Ngah said it may put up “flexipoles” as a replacement instead, and that the installation will take place before the launch of the lanes next month
Flexipoles are plastic, bendable bollards used to divide pathways and are frequently seen on Malaysian roads.
“The poles will be placed in strategic hotspots where people tend to park their cars and hinder the use of the lane, including along KLCC and Jalan Pinang,” Mahadi told Malay Mail in an interview.
“The previous grids were deemed by motorists as hazardous and were removed… the removal comes as a result of a meeting between several parties including the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros), Public Works Department and other stakeholders.”
On Monday, DBKL started removing the bicycle lane separators in the city centre along the 5.3-kilometre bicycle lane following claims from the public that they endanger motorcyclists.
Photos of a motorcyclist involved in an accident near the bicycle lane went viral on social media, prompting the backlash.
The old separators consist of strips of rubber with metal fasteners to attach it to the divider line on the road.
“We cannot stop people from using the lanes now, but we would urge those who want to use them to remain very cautious as the lanes have not been officially launched yet,” Mahadi said.
He asserted that the design of the bicycle lanes and the dividers were similar to what was already implemented in Putrajaya.
“We did the same thing as in Putrajaya except their roads are red… we had a discussion with Miros to decide this before anything took place,” said Mahadi.
“The main point is to reduce the city’s carbon footprint and we want Malaysians to adopt a healthier lifestyle.
“While there will be bumps along the way, we are confident that the lanes will be well received when everything is ready for the public,” he added.
Mahadi also said that claims of accidents due to the separators would be investigated and DBKL will take into consideration the risks of such designs in future implementations.
