THE Transport Ministry has denied that it has plans to regulate bicycles.

Minister Wee Ka Siong said the ministry has never discussed requiring bicycles to be licensed  nor has it been brought to his attention.

“As with all policies governing the use of vehicles on our roads, many factors must be studied and taken into consideration at the ministry’s level in the best interests of the safety and health of road users and pedestrians, which is a paramount concern.

“At this moment, any comments made by Miros (Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research) as reported in the said report does not become policy until the due process has been carried out with my approval as minister,” he said on Facebook.

Miros director-general Dr Khairil Anwar Abu Kassim was reported as saying in a newspaper article that the institute was studying the proposal in order to improve road safety and to reduce fatal road accidents.

Wee said the agencies under the purview of the ministry must produce all studies or proposals for the analysis and consideration of the senior management, including the minister’s office before any process is begun to implement policies. 

“All premature policy announcements are barred without the express approval of the minister,” he said.

In terms of road safety including for cyclists, he said the ministry through the Road Transport Department (RTD) would continue to promote safety programmes with cyclists and other relevant associations.

“These safety advocacy programmes will also be discussed and updated during the Road Safety Council meeting to be held this month,” he said.

Wee also advised all bicycle users to obey traffic rules and prioritise safety when riding their bicycles on the road as they are still bound by all relevant traffic rules under the Road Transport Act 1987. – Bernama, September 16, 2020.