TMM,Wednesday, March 16, 2011
I am concerned the Transport Ministry has recommended to the Cabinet not to allow electric bicycles on public roads.
Any bicycle or tricycle fitted with an electric motor should be classified as a motorcycle and be subjected to the same rules as motorcycles with petrol engines.
Nowadays, many petrol engines of some scooters have already been replaced with batteries and their operating costs may actually be lower than the standard bikes..
It would be a step backward to ban the use of electric bicycles. The future as we know it is going electric. Full-sized limousines and sports cars powered by batteries can accelerate faster than petrol engine models.
They can deliver truly electric performances.
However, our authorities seem to be muddled on something elementary as they grabbled with the absence of an engine number on an electric motor. The registration of electric scooters has long been delayed because of this.
For electric bicycles, the authorities can just issue special identification plates to be fastened to the motor and frame to serve as engine and chassis numbers.
This exercise would allow the Road Transport Department to exercise control and ensure only models deemed safe are allowed on the road.
Many, myself included, would then have the option to buy an electric bicycle, albeit the added costs for registration and insurance plus a motorcycle riding licence.
Banning them would deny the opportunity to fully utilize the benefit and potential of having an electric bicycle.
Imagine, one can get a full workout by pedaling the bike for a long distance and with just a flick of a button, the return trip would be a breeze – a perfect time to relax, sit back and enjoy the scenery.
YS Chan
Kuala Lumpur
This letter was picked as the Letter of the week and won a hamper from Dutch Lady
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