Cycling in Malaysia has definitely grown rapidly over the years with more and more bicycle stores sprouting up here and there to cater to the increasing consumer base. Some have even likened cycling to being 'the new running'. Now, I don't know how under or over exaggerated these claims are, but one thing's for sure, Malaysians certainly are in the right as far as this new sporting trend is concerned and here are my top 5 reasons as to why that's so.
No 1. Cycling saves money - The introduction of GST (Goods and Services Tax) a little over a year and a half ago as well as the less than ideal performance of the Ringgit over the past 2 years have not done our wallets any favours. Combine that with the increase in toll rates as well as the inevitable gradual increase in car prices, I sometimes wonder how people don't just go broke even before getting to work. Here's where cycling steps in.
Assuming you already have a bicycle that's in decent shape, why not ride it to work or college or wherever it is you need to be. Pedaling burns body fat and not petrol while a bicycle means portability and convenience, so no more tolls and spending up to an hour looking for a parking spot or potentially being double-parked.
Plus, in the event you're able to plan your journey well, traffic won't be a deterring factor on your way to work especially if you utilise bicycle lanes (Penang is a great example) and/or the LRT (for the moment only folders are allowed on but there has been a lot of talk about allocating coaches exclusively to cyclists with their bicycles)
No 2. Cycling makes you healthier - This should, of course, come as no surprise as any physically challenging sport will definitely benefit the body in some way. Cycling strengthens the cardiovascular system and, as it is a form of anaerobic exercise, is great for those seeking to lose a bit of weight. What makes cycling different from other means of exercise is that it is less taxing on the joints and is recommended by orthopedic surgeons as a means of muscle and joint strengthening for patients with osteoarthritis. It also has been shown to improve one's circadian rhythm due to increased exposure to sun light which is associated with improved sleep.
In addition, there have been numerous studies that have shown cycling to be associated with an increased level of awareness, memory as well as overall happiness which bodes well for ones mental health, which is especially important nowadays as a recent statements released by the members of the Ministry of Health show that psychiatric illnesses, most commonly depression, are on the rise and are expected to be the second commonest health problem affecting Malaysians by 2020.
Apart from that, in the event you are already an avid runner, consider slotting in a bit of cycling on your rest days as it improves recovery and supplements your running with out taking a large toll on your joints. Plus, in the event you find yourself enjoying cycling more than you thought you would, duathlons are becoming increasingly more common in Malaysia, the most popular one (at least to me) being the Powerman duathlon.
No 3. Cycling makes you a better driver - "What has cycling got to do with driving?" you may be asking. Until you've had the 'pleasure' of pedaling your heart out with your thigh muscles burning and sweat in your eyes just inches from a passing lorry going upwards of 60 km/h, you will not appreciate the occasional nerve wrecking moments us cyclists face while on the roads sometimes. Here in Malaysia, it is almost blasphemous for an average Malaysian household to not have at least 1 car. I read an article published by a certain local newspaper a year or so ago that claims we have an average of 1 car per individual in this country, and that includes kids under the age of 18! Why do we meed so many cars?! And the accidents that occur on our roads everyday have become so frequent, it's almost as if it's some kind of natural phenomenon, to switch on your car radio and listen to the announcer narrate the presence of some accident on some highway somewhere causing some jam.
Cycling gives you insight into the perils bicycle commuters face on the roads on a daily basis. Going over a pothole in a car my not even be physically appreciated by its occupants but going over one on a bicycle may just throw you over your handle bars and have you land face first on the asphalt. Passing by within inches of a cyclist in your motorized metal cacoon may not warrant a glance from you but getting passed on a bicycle by ignorant drivers who barely leave any room between you and his car puts you in a very dangerous position however transient it may be as you'll be unable to avoid any potential obstacles up ahead, especially if you're coming round a bend, And then there are the jokers who don't signal when changing lanes, the idiots (for lack of a better word) who speed through red lights and the occasional asshat (excuse my German) who drives against traffic on the wrong side of the road.
I can't say I was ever a terrible driver despite however honest I'm trying to be as I write this, but I can definitely say that cycling has made me a lot more cautious on the roads. When I drive through a residential area, when I make a blind corner, I make sure I'm going slow by anyone's standards. If I see a pedestrian waiting at the side of the road to cross, I stop and allow them to cross. Let's face it, how many Malaysians actually know PEDESTRIANS have the right of way and cars are the ones that should be stopping. I always use my signal indicator, even if there's not a car in sight around me. I only over take on the right if I have to and I never run red lights. Such 'lessons' may seem like common sense, but what's the point of knowing something but not practising it?
No 4. Cycling allows you to eat more - As Malaysians, we naturally pride ourselves with having a large array of delicacies and dishes we can proudly call local. However, that extra bowl of ais-kacang (shaved ice with various fruit cocktails and dressings) or extra piece of goreng pisang (fried banana fritters) is going to add up in terms on calories. Fret not, the bicycle saves the day again!"
Not only does cycling burn calories, it increases muscle mass as well as your basal metabolic rate (BMR), which effectively increases your body's daily caloric needs. This allows for that extra slice of cake after dinner without the added spare tyre around the waist. Of course, I say this quite conservatively. Any amount of excessive eating well beyond your daily caloric needs will surely see you packing on the pounds regardless of how many hours you spend on your bike a day, so alwayus eat with moderation regardless if you cycle or not.
No 5. Cycling is an adventure - The feeling of setting off on an entirely new trip, without having a fully coherent vision of where you're going to end up, is one of the joys of cycle touring and as much as some of us enjoy constantly comparing our monotonously hot and humid weather all year round with that of cooler climates, we should be thankful as we don't have to deal with icy-roads, knee-deep snow, or bone-chilling blizzards. To most European cycling enthusiasts, weather like ours is a dream, and to be able to have it all year round, should have us being a little thankful if anything.
The feeling of setting off on a bike seems like more of an adventure. Totally different to going by car or plane. Plus, with the right set of wheels, cycling may take you places other modes of transportation cannot. What's down that road you've never been on? What's behind that hill you always see but have never been to?
As a plus point, a study showed cycling produces zero carbon pollution, making it an environmentally sustainable form of transport. A bike can replace your car or the bus, especially for shorter journeys, and more cyclists means fewer congestion-related emissions. Add-ons like trailers and seats mean children can go green too.
Cycling gives you insight into the perils bicycle commuters face on the roads on a daily basis. Going over a pothole in a car my not even be physically appreciated by its occupants but going over one on a bicycle may just throw you over your handle bars and have you land face first on the asphalt. Passing by within inches of a cyclist in your motorized metal cacoon may not warrant a glance from you but getting passed on a bicycle by ignorant drivers who barely leave any room between you and his car puts you in a very dangerous position however transient it may be as you'll be unable to avoid any potential obstacles up ahead, especially if you're coming round a bend, And then there are the jokers who don't signal when changing lanes, the idiots (for lack of a better word) who speed through red lights and the occasional asshat (excuse my German) who drives against traffic on the wrong side of the road.
I can't say I was ever a terrible driver despite however honest I'm trying to be as I write this, but I can definitely say that cycling has made me a lot more cautious on the roads. When I drive through a residential area, when I make a blind corner, I make sure I'm going slow by anyone's standards. If I see a pedestrian waiting at the side of the road to cross, I stop and allow them to cross. Let's face it, how many Malaysians actually know PEDESTRIANS have the right of way and cars are the ones that should be stopping. I always use my signal indicator, even if there's not a car in sight around me. I only over take on the right if I have to and I never run red lights. Such 'lessons' may seem like common sense, but what's the point of knowing something but not practising it?
No 4. Cycling allows you to eat more - As Malaysians, we naturally pride ourselves with having a large array of delicacies and dishes we can proudly call local. However, that extra bowl of ais-kacang (shaved ice with various fruit cocktails and dressings) or extra piece of goreng pisang (fried banana fritters) is going to add up in terms on calories. Fret not, the bicycle saves the day again!"
Not only does cycling burn calories, it increases muscle mass as well as your basal metabolic rate (BMR), which effectively increases your body's daily caloric needs. This allows for that extra slice of cake after dinner without the added spare tyre around the waist. Of course, I say this quite conservatively. Any amount of excessive eating well beyond your daily caloric needs will surely see you packing on the pounds regardless of how many hours you spend on your bike a day, so alwayus eat with moderation regardless if you cycle or not.
There you go, those are my top 5 reasons as to why more Malaysians should take up cycling. Whether as a casual leisurely rider or someone gunning for the Tour de France someday, cycling has something to offer for everybody. I hope this post has motivated you, even a little, to hop on your bike a get a couple of miles under your belt today. Ride safe and thank you for reading!
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