Cyclists Warned To Install Safety Features By January 9

If you're a cyclist and you happen to cycle in Putrajaya then you have until January 9 to install bells and lights on your bike. 

Police will take action against you if your bicycle does not have the relevant safety features installed including bells, lights, and brakes beginning January 9 as reported by The New Straits Times today. 

District Police Chief of Putrajaya, Assistant Commissioner Mohd Fadzil Ali said individuals found without the safety features would be referred to court and could be fined up to RM2,000. 

He further informed that this was to protect the cyclists themselves as Putrajaya has become a cycle destination with up to 1,000 people cycling there on the weekends. 

"Cyclists who violate the law can be punished according to the Road Transport Act 1987 and the Road Traffic Rules 1959," he said after the Bicycle Special Ops at Dataran Putrajaya. 

The Bicycle Special Ops is an on-going initiative from Jan 1 to 3 to advise and remind cyclists about the enforcement of this new regulation. 

If you are found flouting the regulation, you could also be charged under:

• Section 54 (1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for reckless riding
• Section 79 (2) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for failing to comply with traffic signs
• Section 112 (3) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for committing a cycling offense
• Rule 35 of the Road Traffic Rules 1959 for not installing lights on bikes
• Rule 42 of the Road Traffic Rules 1959 for not having safety features such as brakes and bells

So unless you're of the money and you ride an RM45,000 road bike, please install some lights, bells, and proper brakes on your bicycle. After all, if you get injured while riding, we're pretty sure no one is going to replace your bicycle FOC for you. 

But why only Putrajaya and not nationwide?