CAUSES OF UNSECURED SAFETY OF CYCLISTS IN UMP by Promise1934

Introduction

promise1934 — 2014-10-16 22:27:17 UTC

One fine day, the sun was shining, the bees were buzzing and the day could not be more perfect.

So on this fine day, a young boy decided to take a ride on his bicycle. On the way, he was about to meet to a sharp end but what he did not realize was a car coming from the opposite direction. What do you think happened on him after that? I

think we can all come to our own conclusions. A scene like this is unfortunately a common sight in University Malaysia Pahang (UMP), Gambang Campus. Unlike many places, cycling in UMP is more of a way of life rather than a sport or a pastime. Many students especially boys depend solely on their bicycles to get around the campus. However, the safety of cyclists in UMP is unsecured and fatalities are not far away due to several factors. Ultimately, the causes that give rise to the unsecured safety of cyclists in UMP are the lack of proper bicycle lanes, lack of proper traffic system for cyclists and insufficient street lights to illuminate roads for cyclists at night.

A car is coming from opposite direction!

promise1934 — 2014-10-16 22:31:10 UTC

P2

promise1934 — 2014-10-16 22:37:24 UTC

First and foremost, the lack of proper bicycle lanes is one of the causes for this disturbing issue. For instance, a specified lane for cyclists is not provided. Consequently, cyclists have to cycle on the road alongside the cars and busses. Wouldn’t this create a sense of insecurity and fear for the cyclists? To make things worse, cyclists also cannot share the walkways provided as those are for pedestrians. Although certain initiatives have been taken by cyclists themselves by travelling against the traffic,it is obvious that this is not a permanent solution. In addition, the straight roads available in UMP will cause car drivers to have the tendency to disobey the speed limit. Imagine a scene of a motorist not being able to break in time when a cyclist appears from a sharp turn. The consequence would be disastrous. Hence, it is clear that the absence of bicycle lanes lead to the unsecured safety of cyclists in UMP.

Students have to cycle alongside the cars and busses.

promise1934 — 2014-10-16 22:38:59 UTC

P3

promise1934 — 2014-10-16 22:40:24 UTC

Secondly, the lack of proper traffic systems for cyclists poses a dangerous threat to them. In particular, there are several junctions in the campus which are not well built. This has brought about the problem of junctions having dangerous blind spots around the university. Subsequently, car drivers would sometimes be unable to see cyclists

turning in and out, and vice versa. Rest assured that it will be no use crying over spilt milk if this scenario were to end in a tragic and fatal accident. Moreover, numerous roads in UMP areeither uneven or filled with potholes. This phenomenon has caused many cyclists to lose their balance and fall off their bicycles. This often happens especially during the rainy season as the holes are covered with rain water which makes it even more difficult for cyclists to notice them. Furthermore, some of the junctions are badly designed. In fact, there are a few junctions with sharp turning. As a result, cyclists can fall off from their bicycles and get hurt. Thus, it is undeniable that improper traffic systems lead to the unsecured safety of cyclists in UMP.

Potholes hidden by the pools of water. Dangerous

promise1934 — 2014-10-16 22:43:15 UTC

P4

promise1934 — 2014-10-16 22:44:40 UTC

Next, insufficient street lights to illuminate roads for cyclists at night threaten the safety of cyclists’. Street light are very necessary for students who have to cycle around the campus at night. This is due to the fact that some students have to go for activities at night. In addition to that, some may even have night to attend classes. In any case, insufficient streetlights would bring about difficulties for cyclists. Additionally, lack of street lights reduces the field and distance of vision of cyclists. This leads to cyclists not being able to see the road and obstacles such as rocks in front of them All these put the cyclists in a dangerous state as the cyclist can be injured severely. On top of that, insufficient street lights also limit the car drivers’ vision. It causes the car drivers to have difficulty to see the cyclists from a distance. What would the fate of the cyclists be if the drivers do not notice them? Indeed, lack of street lights endangers the safety of the cyclists. Thus, it is very dangerous for both the drivers and cyclists. In short, lack of street lights to illuminate roads for cyclists lead to the unsecured safety of cyclists in UMP.

Dark street in the night. Can't see anything ( not in daytime of course)

promise1934 — 2014-10-16 22:46:11 UTC

Conclusion

promise1934 — 2014-10-16 22:51:56 UTC

In a nutshell, the safety of the cyclists has obviously not been taken seriously by the authorities simply because no drastic steps have been implemented for the sake of the many cyclists in UMP. As a result, the absence of proper bicycle lanes, lack of proper traffic systems for cyclists and inadequate street lights to illuminate roads for cyclist at night are the irrefutable evidences of the unsecured safety of cyclists in UMP. If no action is taken in the near future, it would not be surprising to see the students of UMP going to their classes with scrapes, scratches or even bandages on their hands and legs.

Actions shall be taken for sake of cyclists in UMP.

promise1934 — 2014-10-16 22:54:47 UTC