KUALA LUMPUR: The bicycle should be a mode of transport in the federal city to promote a healthier lifestyle among city folks, said the Netherlands Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Sigrid Kaag.

Taking her country as an example, she said cycling has long become a common mode of transport with 36% of the people listing the bicycle as their most frequent mode of transport on a typical day.

"This high frequency of bicycle travel is enabled by excellent cycling infrastructure such as cycle paths, cycle tracks within the city and by making cycling routes shorter, quicker and more direct than car routes.

"Today, the Netherlands counts more bicycles than inhabitants and cyclists spend less time in traffic jams and their quality of life has improved," she told reporters before the start of the 'Cycling Kuala Lumpur' event in conjunction with World Urban Forum 9 (WUF9) here, today.

Also present were Raja Muda of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizzudin Puta Jamalullail, Kuala Lumpur Mayor Tan Sri Mhd Amin Nordin Abdul Aziz and UN-Habitat executive director Datuk Maimunah Mohd Sharif.

Meanwhile, Maimunah said 'Cycling Kuala Lumpur' is a living testament of the steps to become a more sustainable and liveable city by investing in smart mobility solutions and cycling infrastructure.

She said to support New Urban Agenda, bicycle lanes were recently introduced in Kuala Lumpur aimed at promoting healthier lifestyle and achieving a lower carbon footprint.

"The bicycle routes not only provide an alternative to people who opt to cycle in the city centre, but also encourages a network of routes for bicycle tourism which reaches all corners of the city.

"It is also an alternative to complement the public transport system and reduce the use of private cars to minimise city pollution," she said.

More than 90 dignitaries, including corporate and government representatives and business associates later cycled on this 1.5-kilometre route (cycling lane) from Malaysia Tourism Centre (MaTIC) to Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC). — Bernama