Illustration courtesy of De Wallen Industry
Cycling is a safe activity, posing little risk either to cyclists themselves or to other road users. The degree of risk assumed by cyclists depends on a variety of factors: where they are riding, the condition of the road surface, the speed they are riding (especially on descents), the condition of their bikes, how visible they are at night, and so on.
Kuala Lumpur is a relatively safe place to cycle, even in the city center.
Illustration courtesy of Lucas Varela (FT Magazine)
Accidents involving cyclists do happen though. Sometimes fatal ones. So my friends and I do what we can to stay away from dangerous situations. They cannot be avoided entirely however, for example when crossing junctions. With proper care, those can be negotiated safely.
Nevertheless, there is one place along a popular route where the risk level rises significantly. This is before and after the Persiaran Kewajipan intersection on the KESAS highway from Kota Kemuning toward Subang Jaya. There are in fact three danger points to be negotiated during that 2km / 1.2mi stretch. There is no motorcycle lane along that stretch, so cyclists have to ride on the highway.
Map courtesy of Google
The first danger point comes 400 meters / 1,300 feet after the motorcycle lane ends, and we are spat out onto the highway.
A lane of traffic filters down onto the highway from the left. We cyclists have to hold our line while watching for vehicles cutting across from left to right. At this point we are already riding in the middle of the highway, with three lanes to our left, and three lanes to our right.
Map courtesy of Google
The second danger point immediately follows. We have to switch our attention to our right. We must watch for traffic merging from the right and moving into the three exit lanes on our left. That is the most adrenaline-inducing section, because the traffic approaching from behind and to our right is travelling at highway speeds. The speed limit there is 90kph / 65mph, but some vehicles are moving faster.
Our strategy is to ride together as one group, in double-file, and as fast as we can, along that section. Fortunately it is slightly downhill, and we can spin up to about 60kph / 37mph. The adrenaline rush helps as well!
Map courtesy of Google
We then get a rest as the highway separates from the off-ramp, and we can roll along the road shoulder under the Persiaran Kewajipan overpass. The shoulder is wide, and we can ride a few yards to the left of traffic.
We have about 500 meters / 1,600 feet to catch our breath. Then we have to cross the two lanes of traffic coming from the left down the ramp from Persiaran Kewajipan onto KESAS.
There is about 200 meters / 660 feet for us to get over to the far left and back onto the safety of the motorcycle lane.
Map courtesy of Google
It is an unavoidable gauntlet for anyone riding from the west of Bandar Sunway towards Bukit Jalil. We have ridden that section many times, and have, so far, been lucky. No near misses.
I have ridden that section alone. Which raises the adrenaline level even more. I make sure that I am as visible as possible. Bright clothes, flashing lights, and an arm waving in the air. I also make sure that I get there before dark. Riding that section of KESAS at night would really be tempting fate.
Old Roots, New Routes 