KUALA Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) says implementation of the blue bicycle lane project infrastructure, including lane markings, were based on international standards.



Its executive director (planning) Datuk Mahadi Che Ngah said several bicycle and motorcyclist associations and agencies were consulted before and during the project’s implementation, including the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research and World Urban Forum secretariat.



“It is a learning process for motorists to be aware that parking on the blue bicycle lane is an offence.”



Mahadi said the faded lanes were due to dirt stains that could easily be removed, and DBKL was mulling the implementation of additional bicycle lanes using only signage and markings (without coloured lanes).



“We are also putting designs and strategies with the help of a foreign expert to improve and enhance the existing bicycle lane.



“Overall, the blue bicycle lane project is a good start to promote a healthy lifestyle, pollution-free mode of travel and embrace the use of green technology.



On the Kuala Lumpur Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan, Mahadi said it was aimed at getting people to walk and cycle to the city.



“This is in line with the Kuala Lumpur Low Carbon Society Blueprint 2030 to reduce carbon emission in the city by 70% by 2030,” he said.



Mahadi added that the master plan was to increase the quantity and enhance the quality of walking and cycling facilities in KL, while encouraging people to walk and cycle as supporting components of seamless connectivity based on public transportation .



He said elements of the blueprint have already been implemented in Kuala Lumpur.



“A stretch at Jalan Ampang (between Renaissance Hotel and InterContinental Hotel) as well as Jalan Bukit Bintang (between Pavilion KL and Wolo Bukit Bintang) were upgraded to make the walkway wider, more seamless and green.



“The blueprint will see redundant areas turned into pocket parks and greenery, obstructions for pedestrians reduced and roads for vehicles realigned to give more space to pedestrians.”



Mahadi said the bicycle and pedestrian network in the master plan will cover the entire city.



“We are still in the process of engaging stakeholders such as cycling and motorcycle groups, residents and buskers associations, universities and Think City to produce a plan that is supported by all parties.



“It is also the responsibility of the consultant engaged to draft the master plan to ensure that it can be incorporated with other plans such as the Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2040,” he said, adding that the master plan was expected to be displayed by the middle of the year.



At the Malaysia Urban Forum 2019, DBKL Infrastructure Planning Department director Sulaiman Mohamed and Prof Dr Amran Hamzah from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) revealed that the master plan would cover a five-year study period.



Prof Amran, who is UTM’s Centre for Innovative Planning and Development director, said his team was commissioned by DBKL to conduct the study and draft the master plan between 2017 and 2021.



“The first two years covered baseline data collection and drafting of the master plan, while the next three years will focus on the plan’s implementation, assessment monitoring and review,” he said.



“Based on our survey, the top three elements that will make the public cycle or walk more are safer walking area, better separation between sidewalk and vehicle traffic and greater security measures.



“Both the pedestrian and bicycle networks will be given equal priority, as they are inter-related and offer first and last-mile connectivity,” he added.