Transport consultant Wan Agyl Wan Hassan said the code is necessary to define the rights and responsibilities of cyclists and to formally recognise them as legitimate road users.
“Most Malaysians don’t know where cyclists are legally allowed to ride, and many drivers don’t know how to safely share the road,” he told FMT.
“Highways are off-limits, but alternative roads are usually packed with speeding cars and have no space for bikes.”
Wan Agyl, founder of the transport think tank My Mobility Vision, said the guidelines should include a “presumed liability” clause, where drivers are presumed responsible for crashes involving cyclists unless proven otherwise.
This, he said, would make it easier for cyclists to claim damages caused by unsafe road conditions or driver negligence.
He also called for the enforcement of a minimum safe passing distance of at least 1.5 metres between cars and bicycles.
Wan Agyl noted that the cycling code should be set at the federal level, while local councils would be responsible for maintaining cycling infrastructure and enforcing related by-laws.
He pointed to Singapore’s success, citing its strict laws that protect both cyclists and pedestrians.
“Current cycling rules are unclear, inconsistent, and scattered across multiple agencies.
“Without clear rules and protection, cycling remains unsafe and underused despite its potential as a solution for first- and last-mile connectivity,” he said.
Last week, the road transport department said the transport ministry is considering adopting cycling as a key solution for bridging first- and last-mile transport gaps.
More cycling infrastructure needed
Wan Agyl also emphasised the need for more cycling infrastructure, such as secure bike parking and repair kiosks at train stations.
He stressed the importance of integrating such infrastructure with public transport to “make cycling to the MRT as easy as driving to a mall.”
Law Teik Hua, a road safety researcher at Universiti Putra Malaysia, said cycling would only be practical if the country shifted away from car-centric urban planning.
He noted that in many city centres, cyclists face unsafe conditions due to aggressive drivers and poorly maintained roads.
“Sidewalks, when they exist, are either uneven or crowded with motorbikes, which leaves cyclists with very few safe options.
“The most important step the government can take is to build protected bike lanes separated from car traffic, especially near public transportation hubs,” he said.