Challenges	Solutions/Who can make it happen?
Little cycling safety on roads	Government to allocate safe bicycle lanes and rules to protect cyclists
Tropical climate; hot and sunny throughout the year	Industry to design bicycle with fold-able roof-top for some models
Good bicycle is expensive	Government to provide rebate/subsidy
Not popular or perceived as 'low' class	Industry to make it trendy and perceived as 'cool' thing to own. Approach world class sports person like Nicol David in marketing campaign/promotion
Need physical strength/energy to cycle for long journey	Industry to design electric motorized bicycle
No support/maintenance kiosk available along the roads	Government to support the electrical charging kiosk & Industry may franchise repair/maintenance services at various locations like current gas station
No safe area to park/to keep	Local authorities to convert current car park to bike park. Prepare a safe, free and ample bicycles parking area especially in town/city or at LRT/bus/train stations
Not convenience to bring on public transport	Provide incentive to bus/train/LRT company that are bicycle friendly

Then, let us picture this? The bicycle industry booms in Malaysia. Hey, we are Malaysians BOLEH ('Boleh' means 'can' in Malay language). If we can produce a reasonably good car why can't we produce a simpler vehicle called bicycle. We make it our NATIONAL vehicle.

How to spark the bicycle industry in Malaysia?
1. Survey our market. Gather some data by demographic and study the demand for bicycles. What Malaysian folks love to have for a bicycle? The functionality, design/features, safety feature, price etc.
Of course, we need some incentives (which are not costly compare to improve transportation system) from government. We are just being reasonable.
2. Government can lend a hand to popularize this industry by subsidizing bicycle purchase. Rather than provide a rebate for fuel, use the same amount to encourage people to use bicycle. RM625 + RM150 per year for bicycle purchase rebate. So, no additional cost incurred, right?
3. Transport department/government should next provide a safe designated lane for bicycle whereby other vehicles are banned on this lane. Consider a safe and ample parking area at prime locations for bicycles at no cost.
4. Focus back on bicycle industry, offer local folks the investment opportunity or invite FDI to kick off the industry. Start producing the bicycles that Malaysians folks like. For bicycle with shade/roof, solar panel can be installed as add-on to generate solar energy (with some engineering break through though, next Nobel price winner is in the making!). Wow! Kill two birds with one stone. For biking with kid, fix a detachable stroller with shade for family outing. Be creative and receptive towards consumer need. Do open the retail shops to reach consumers in term of sales and services.
5. As consumers, our role is to buy the bicycle made in Malaysia and use it as often as possible.

Imagine the advantages we can gain from this culture and industry:
1. Provide an employment opportunities and new income to our country.
2. Casualty and fatality rate due to car/motorcycle accidents will drop significantly.
3. As a country, we will be proud to be the first nation that is eco-friendly, perhaps our target is 50% of vehicles on the road are close to zero carbon foot prints. We have the edge over many other countries as our size is rather small, so cycling can assist in getting around easily.
4. As we cycle, we exercise. Malaysians will be healthier, spend less on medical bills, enjoy longer years on earth and live happily.
5. Reduce government's burden. Spend less on road repair/maintenance with bicycles mushrooming on the roads. At the same time channel the petrol subsidy for other critical improvement. On top of that, as Malaysians demand less fuel, we can sell to other countries to gain higher revenue as income.

I may sound too idealistic but what do you think?

Some informative sites to learn more about bicycle culture:
http://www.cyclingedinburgh.info/
http://www.kenkifer.com/bikepages/lifestyle/index.htm

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Comments (3)

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written by Dr.Wong , June 09, 2008

Renewable energy especially solar power will be future trend to overcome high oil price. Now it is affordable to get your self one set of professional solar home system to start generate the electricity for 12V e-bike or collect the sun energy for night lighting usage. Initial investment will be as low as RM599 for a set of basic professional 16W solar lighting system.

There is one company [PG SOLAR ENTERPRISE] in Penang Malaysia offer range of solar DIY products, Email: "pg.solar@gmail.com". Their Kyocera Japan KC16T (16W) & KC21T (21W) solar panel featuring highest quality and reliability level at reasonable price, with expected service life greater than 10 years or even 20year without problem. DIY your own solar powered project is now possible for everyone with the guidance/tips from the internet Solar discussion forum.

Seems like our government will never subsidies renewable energy in small scale, they only know how to impose tax to the consumer/citizen. Coming TNB tariff hike will be another great impact again, now every one talk about energy saving to overcome this hike. According to PG SOLAR director, if you manage to DIY your own solar lighting system which able to bring down your TNB bill to 200KWH/month, then you will not be impacted. With the DIY Home Solar Lighting products and high efficiency LED lighting solutions, the total $ money saving will then be significant. You just pay the component cost & effort to DIY for your own, then you can enjoy the free solar energy for long term!

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written by yap , November 25, 2011

Dude you think the goverment care above you and the eniviroment? All they know is to squeezzz your balls to get the money from every citizen. That is why bicycle duty is 25% be it baby tricycle to oldman bengali bike.

Malaysia is the only few countries that still impose tax on bicycle. While many countries abolished tax to encourage people to use bicycle. If every one uses bicycle who is going to buy proton and keris...dude,, all with agenda.... who is going to pay toll....

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written by Shirley T , November 27, 2011

Hi yap, Thanks for your input. 25% is a pathetic figure for a good course. Any means we can lobby to lift up this?

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