Mountain Bikes

IT is a good sign that more people are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of health.

Every weekend and on public holidays, we can see hundreds of people walking up to the Air Itam dam as well as Penang Hill in the morning.

The routes to the top are naturally narrow, slippery and steep. There is no problem with two hikers abreast of each other, even when there are cars passing occasionally.

However, with the emergence of bikers recently, the scenario has changed.

If these bikers cycle alone and in single file they do not pose any danger to the hikers.

But part of the fun in cycling is to do so in a group.

Therefore, it is common to see groups of bikers riding up and down the hills.

With the increasing number of hikers as well, there is an urgent need for some safety standards to be set in place.

There are thousands of mountain bikers throughout our country but not everyone knows or observes basic safety rules.

At present there are no booklets and handbooks on the safety guides that cyclists and hikers should abide by.

Perhaps it is time that shops selling bicycles produce and distribute safety guides to mountain bikers as part of their service.

In western countries, there are even instructors and coaches giving tips on mountain biking.

While hiking up the Air Itam dam, I have seen a number of accidents involving mountain bikers.

As the biking hobby is becoming popular we have to introduce safety measures.

Published in " The Star " on 13th Feb 13