Bike Sharing Schemes

Okay, remember how I am constantly moaning about how cycling just refuses to catch on in Malaysia?

A couple of years ago, a rather soft-spoken but extremely industrious gentleman by the name of Jeffery Lim made great inroads in encouraging cycling as a form of transport. The guy is a bloody legend. He helped DBKL out by creating a cycling map from scratch! That is a monumental effort.

If you need a copy of the map, I am sure it's physically available at certain locations, but it's certainly ONLINE.

Now that you have some established routes, all you need is a bicycle.

Problem solved!

If you're in Melaka, the Chinese company Ofo has already launched its bicycles there. Users pay only RM1 per hour to rent the bike.

And if you're in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore's oBikes are not only launching, but are offering FREE unlimited one hour rides from 14 August until 30 September. No promo code needed.

Privately, I have had my reservations about these sort of bike rental schemes. Kuala Lumpur is not the first city for some of these bike companies to set up their business.

In Melbourne, for instance, the bikes for rent have been thrown in the river, up some trees, and basically just vandalised.

These are chunky bikes; how did they get up there??

I do despair of such asinine behaviour. You know how historians and social scientists love to tell us how far we have come as a human race? Bah humbug!

I hope Malaysians don't sink so low as to vandalise these bikes. I recognise that these aren't state of the art bikes; they are clunky and heavy, but they get you places if you put in the effort.

I must say that Rapid Transit Network has been improving their attitude towards cycling as they have mandated first and third Sundays of the month for bring full-sized bicycles on board the Kelana Jaya, Ampang and Sri Petaling Line LRTs.

Previously, people were only allowed to carry folding bikes onto the LRT, monorail, and MRT during off-peak hours on Monday to Friday, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.

I cannot emphasise how important connectivity with transits is, for a longer commute.

I have, though, wondered what the cost of maintaining and renting out these bikes must be. In Melbourne, the law is that helmets must be worn at all times while cycling. Apparently, the helmets went for a walk - very frequently!! Replacing them each time must be costly.

Frankly, I prefer to ride my own bike. It's a 21-speed, weighs next to nothing and rides like a charm. I also confess I wouldn't like to share helmets with anyone else. I have a bit of a hygiene obsession and that would put me off.

That being said, owning your own bike can have its disadvantages, as bicycle maintenance can be a pain. Degreasing the chains and then lubricating them up again takes up time and energy, not to mention the need to lay out the tools and clear out space for doing it.

And have I moaned about how dirty wheels contacting the rim brakes can squeal in such an annoying way that it can be extremely embarrassing if you haven't cleaned them in awhile? A cloth and some rubbing alcohol usually sorts that out, but it's an activity that car-users never have to worry about.

But that's life, and the cost of living healthy while keeping as low a carbon footprint as possible.

Perhaps Malaysia might learn to appreciate that.

Trams And Bicycle Lanes To Ease Congestion

In November 2008, I lamented that Malaysia was nowhere close to being progressive and environmentally friendly like the other countries I've visited or lived in.

I have been to over 40 major cities in my lifetime, so I've done a fair bit of comparing what Malaysia needs but doesn't have - and what the rest of the world has.

Bicycle lanes was top on my list. "Now when do you expect to see that in Malaysia?" I asked in despair.

It turns out the answer was: in 6 years' time.

According to the FMT, the government has already done a great deal in encouraging cycling as a means of transport.

The city recently opened the first dedicated bicycle lane, running for 5.5km from Mid Valley to Dataran Merdeka, at a cost of RM700,000.

More bicycle lanes were being planned, for Jalan Raja Laut, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Bukit Bintang, Central Market, Jalan P. Ramlee and around KLCC.

A bicycle lane was being placed in Jalan Raja Laut, from City Hall to Jalan Ipoh, and later connecting to Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and Jalan Rahmat, Malaysian Insider reported.

Eventually the new lanes will be connected from Mid Valley to areas in the city centre central areas, for shared use by cyclists and pedestrians.

And trams. For some reason, I keep relating trams to Europe, but the truth is, we used to have trams in Penang a long time ago.

There are the traditional-looking trams, which I have seen in Vienna:

There are also the modern ones, which I saw in Manchester city centre:

According to the mayor:

Between 1.5 million and 2 million vehicles enter the city every day, the report said, placing a tremendous strain on the roads.

“However, a good public transport system must be in place first,” the mayor said.

It's a rare moment when the Malaysian government actually makes sense and applies logic to its thought process. The fact that it thinks is also an anomaly.

But this is good for Kuala Lumpur.

It's far better that the money be spent on necessary amenities, than to fund Rosmah's shopping trips.

The Dingle Peninsula

I don't believe the Dingle Peninsula remotely gets the attention that it deserves.

If you're wondering where it is, it's in the Southwest corner of the Republic of Ireland. County Kerry, to be specific.

It was a two-week road trip anyway, and we stopped by at every little quaintness we saw.

Most of it just rolling hills and meadows as we burned up the miles.

We were actually headed for Brandon Point. The other half had a painting of it, and wanted to see the real thing.

We hiked up a bit and the view was gorgeous.

The waves of the Atlantic slammed against the cliffs, which I found really impressive, but I thought of all those people who left Ireland for a better life in the United States a few centuries ago.

Did they regret leaving the beauty and serenity of their homeland?

Cycling In Big Cities

About four years ago, I went to visit a good friend in Australia. While we were cruising along on a freeway, I noticed some signs on the side.

They were warnings to car drivers, to watch out for cyclists. And indeed, there was a lane on the freeway, dedicated to bicycles.

I thought that was brilliant.

But Australia is not alone in recognising the importance of various types of transportation.

I recently discovered that London has introduced the concept of renting a bicycle to get you to your destination.

These bikes are rented out using an Oyster card (the main form of transaction for London transportation -- trains, buses etc) from any available stand and dropped off at the stand of your destination.

Apart from the fact that these bicycles reduce the number of cars on the road, which means there is less congestion, there is no fuel needed to power them apart from leg power (fuelled by fish & chips, maybe?).

And if you've had too much fish & chips, this is going to break down the build-up of cholesterol in your arteries.

Now, the weather can get a bit overwhelming in Kuala Lumpur especially at mid day, but this isn't a bad idea for getting around.

After all, we don't have a water shortage. It is always possible to have a shower at the end of the day.

What Is Liverpool Famous For?

A walk down Mathew Street.

The good ole Beatles.

They were certainly not from my era, but I was given a glimpse into their success from the book Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell, in which he mentions the number 10,000 -- go read the book!

Chester's Grand Cathedral

It didn't always start off as a Cathedral though. According to some sources, it is almost two thousand years old and started off as a Druid temple before it went on to become a Roman (surprise, surprise?) temple.

At this point, my mate, Tim, is probably having a smug look on his face, since he loves to point out the idolatry associated with this magnitude of organised religion.

Anyway, it became a monastery when one of the Earls decided he needed one in his administrative centre. So it was probably more about administration than spirituality.

It's a lovely though foreboding structure, I must say.

But if you look past the actual building to the grounds, the bright flowers make the whole concept of God and spirituality more real.

Outside the Cathedral, the rows at St Werburghs Street display their goods as usual, a marked contrast from the famous ancient structure of Chester.

Basingwerk Abbey

An interesting ruin in North Wales. It was purportedly founded in 1131 by Ranulf, Earl of Chester.

It never ceases to amaze me how the British (or the Europeans for that matter) love to preserve their ruins.

They moan about how the country is being overpopulated and that there is scarcity of space, but all these structures taking up space remain unmolested.

Perhaps this sense of pride in their history is worthwhile.

We Malaysians had our Srivijaya (from back in the 7th century) and Majapahit (sometime in the 13th century) empires, but we never preserved much of it.

The stuff we have in Melaka is puerile (especially that water mill) and we happily demolish Bok House, turning it into a carpark - all because it belonged to a wealthy Chinese businessman.

Update:Bok House is not a carpark anymore. It got acquired by the Mariott Group and will be one more of the boring, characterless hotels that Kuala Lumpur does not need.

Denbigh Castle

At the entrance to the castle.

This castle in North Wales was built sometime in the 13th-century, after King Edward I conquered Wales.

At The Promenade In New Brighton

This is at the tip of the wirral peninsular at a little promenade town called New Brighton. The beach shows the banks of the River Mersey and Liverpool is at the distance.

Meanwhile, the classic posh restaurants remain.

Christmas Turkey

No, I'm not talking about the intellect of a Malaysian politician.

It's the Christmas tradition of eating, and prior to that, carving a turkey, which is a really big bird -- far bigger than a chicken.

If you thought that dealing with food was a woman's job, think again. Apparently carving turkey is a man's job!

Fortunately, eating it is everyone's job.

Little Trek To Sonning

It took us a while to find the Thames footpath. We had to walk through some fields and wander about.

But we found it, muddy though it was, as could be expected for this time of the year.

The sights were beautiful though. The river flowed calmly, in no particular hurry, as it had been doing for the past thousands of years.

It was cold and crisp, but there were a few people out on their canoes. It goes to show that the cold is only in the mind!

The boathouse wasn't teeming with people though. It's not the most popular activity for December.

And nestled in this enclave in the town of Sonning. This is merely one house. There are plenty more.

However, do note that there are no fast food outlets or news stands available. These people truly defend their privacy.

Henley On Thames

Henley is most famously known for the Henley On Thames Royal Regatta. It's usually held in summer, around June or July.

So it was somewhat quiet when I was there in late autumn approaching winter.

The River Thames was occupied not by boats, but unassuming little ducks getting their daily exercise in the water.

Most of the leaves had deserted the trees for the winter, leaving them looking a little forlorn and lonely. Those trees, however, would look gorgeous in spring and summer.

It's a nice, quiet village.

With a few rich boat owners.

Repelling Tourists

I doubt this is something many Malaysians are aware of, but the tourism board of Malaysia has some aggressive advertising campaigns put in place to attract visitors to our country.

Presumably, one of those efforts is the unmistakable logo of Tourism Malaysia right smack in the middle of Trafalgar Square. Yes, that's the Trafalgar Square in London.


I don't know if it works, but the thought is commendable.

If only the government doesn't keep shooting itself in the foot by arresting peaceful protestors and indulging in nasty scuffles with innocent citizens, more people might be inspired to pay a visit.

Somehow, when images of black eyes, stories of blown up Mongolian models and speakers being forcibly removed from their chairs in Assembly make their way to the newspapers, people do not feel too eager to book a flight for a week long holiday in a country with dubious reputation.

Believe you me.

The London Shot

I assure you it was purely by accident, but I managed to capture the very epitome of London in one shot.


The London Eye overlooks Big Ben while the Thames flows along quietly. A double-decker trundles away inconspicuously.

I am inordinately proud of myself, though I know I needn't be. :)

Freedom Of Expression

London was a practical lesson on the freedom of expression. It appeared to me that people weren't exactly reticent in expressing their views at all.

Just next to the Westminster Abbey, supporters of the suppressed Tamils in Sri Lanka make almost daily protests, chanting for hours on end and waving banners urging the West to intervene.


The supporters of Palestine are not to be outdone by the Tamils. They're making their presence felt at Whitehall, just outside Downing Street.

And believe it or not, there were no riot squads brandishing tear gas cannisters or waiting to spray chemical-laced water on protestors.


But if you had nothing to protest about but plenty to say, you could always find yourself at Speaker's Corner in Hyde Park.


You could choose to listen to the hellfire and brimstone preachers and argue with them..


... or you could just get yourself a free hug.

Wall Street

Preston's answer to America's financial district in New York. :)

To cope with the credit crunch, throw in a Spring Saver deal.

CHEAPSIDE

My mother would wager that it was called 'Cheapside' because of the revealing clothing worn by the undergarment models.

York Minster Cathedral

If you've never heard of the York Minster before, this should get you started.

I'd originally planned on visiting York, but not the cathedral, because I'm not particularly a culture vulture.

And it did cost a whopping £9.50 per entry, and that is - based on the current exchange rate - about RM49.40 which is quite a bit to see an old building.

But somehow, I had this gut feeling that it would be well worth it, and it was.


It is a vast and immense building...


...with a lot of stained glass - something that someone long ago took great pains to create. Something that someone today takes great pains to restore.

They even have apprenticeships dedicated to restoring this entire piece of architecture.


They still have their regular services.

Exploring More Of England

And this is York.


I don't recall having learned this much about the Romans, Vikings, Saxons, and everyone else who invaded England - or York to be specific.


This is the view from the top of the York Minster tower, one of the most awesome pieces of architecture I've seen.

Squirrelly Request

One thing about the squirrels in England is that they are really friendly.

Technically, this little fellow isn't British. He's a foreigner (though I bet he doesn't have a passport or a legitimate visa) - the American grey - and he has the reputation of being more aggressive and hardy than the native red squirrel.

He came begging for nuts and wasn't the least bit timid about approaching us. And he sure knew how to turn on the charm.

We didn't have any nuts for him. But next time, we will.