While we are generally the preferred mode of transport for the lower- and middle-income groups in Malaysia, there’s been a recent uptrend of people from higher income groups ditching their cars in favour of motorcycles, mainly to beat the workday traffic. Some also find it easier to use a motorcycle for a quick nip out to the shops or masjid.
Despite this trend, the ratio of cars to motorcycles in Malaysia is still about 1:1. Kira, half-half lah. This is much lower than other countries like Indonesia and Vietnam (9:1!!) where motorcyclists drastically outnumber motorists on the road.
But unfortunately, this ratio doesn’t hold up for accidents. Most of the accidents on Malaysian roads involve motorcyclists. In 2023 alone, there were approximately 600,000 road accidents, leading to 6,443 deaths—about 18 each day. Notably, 65% of these fatalities were motorcyclists.
These are serious figures that would make anyone think twice about getting a motorbike. But, before you throw your Hell’s Angels dreams away, let’s take a closer look at why this is happening, and how you can stay safe as a motorcyclist.
Haiyah don’t worry, I’m very careful lah
Well, even if you are the most careful motorcyclist, often accidents are not caused by any mistake of your own. Cars and other larger vehicles may suddenly change lanes without signalling or fail to see you in their blind spot.
And as motorcyclists don’t have the benefit of a protective steel shell around their body, they are the ones often suffering the worst injuries in road accidents.
It goes unsaid that the best way for a motorcyclist to stay safe on the roads is to not indulge in any rempit-like behaviour. If you do, sorry but you’re asking for it, mate.
It’s good practice to wear SIRIM-approved helmets together with bright and reflective clothing and to regularly check if your lights and brakes are functioning well. And try to use dedicated motorcycle lanes when available. No larger vehicles, safer you. Kapische?
And as motorcyclists don’t have the benefit of a protective steel shell around their body, they are the ones often suffering the worst injuries in road accidents.
It goes unsaid that the best way for a motorcyclist to stay safe on the roads is to not indulge in any rempit-like behaviour. If you do, sorry but you’re asking for it, mate.
It’s good practice to wear SIRIM-approved helmets together with bright and reflective clothing and to regularly check if your lights and brakes are functioning well. And try to use dedicated motorcycle lanes when available. No larger vehicles, safer you. Kapische?
Watch out for road hazards
Not all accidents are caused by bad drivers or malfunctioning vehicles. Bad road conditions can be very dangerous for motorcyclists as well.
Malaysian roads are unfortunately quite femes for their less-than-perfect surfaces. Potholes, uneven surfaces, cracks, and sinkholes are pretty common. They can be caused by the poor quality (*ahem* subcon *ahem*) of road surfacing which will cause the road to quickly show signs of surface fatigue. Poor drainage can also wash away the soil under roads, causing the surface to warp.
Take the recent case on Jalan Masjid India in Kuala Lumpur, for example. In August 2024, an 8-metre deep sinkhole suddenly appeared on this road, likely due to ruptured sewage pipes and geographical faults. This incident highlights just how dangerous neglected road infrastructure can be.
Potholes and the like are even more bahaya during rain. They can quickly fill up with rainwater, making them hard to see or judge their depth.
Going over a pothole at high speed can not only cause (expensive!) damage to your bike’s suspension. Worse still, the jarring impact may cause you to overbalance and fall into the lane of an oncoming vehicle. This is why it’s always advisable to stop and wait for a thunderstorm out at a safe place (not tepi jalan, plz!).
Also, be a good Samaritan and make it a point to report any bad road conditions that you come across to the authorities or highway patrol. They’re usually pretty responsive to such reports. You might be able to save someone else’s life!
Malaysian roads are unfortunately quite femes for their less-than-perfect surfaces. Potholes, uneven surfaces, cracks, and sinkholes are pretty common. They can be caused by the poor quality (*ahem* subcon *ahem*) of road surfacing which will cause the road to quickly show signs of surface fatigue. Poor drainage can also wash away the soil under roads, causing the surface to warp.
Take the recent case on Jalan Masjid India in Kuala Lumpur, for example. In August 2024, an 8-metre deep sinkhole suddenly appeared on this road, likely due to ruptured sewage pipes and geographical faults. This incident highlights just how dangerous neglected road infrastructure can be.
Potholes and the like are even more bahaya during rain. They can quickly fill up with rainwater, making them hard to see or judge their depth.
Going over a pothole at high speed can not only cause (expensive!) damage to your bike’s suspension. Worse still, the jarring impact may cause you to overbalance and fall into the lane of an oncoming vehicle. This is why it’s always advisable to stop and wait for a thunderstorm out at a safe place (not tepi jalan, plz!).
Also, be a good Samaritan and make it a point to report any bad road conditions that you come across to the authorities or highway patrol. They’re usually pretty responsive to such reports. You might be able to save someone else’s life!
Should I worry about bike-jacking (stolen motorcycles), too?
Very much so, unfortunately. Would you have guessed that there are more motorcycles stolen every year in Malaysia compared to cars? These bikes are either resold to people for use in isolated places (like palm oil estates – susah sikit polis nak jumpa) or stripped for parts (popular makes are the Yamaha 125 and Honda EX5 – sorry!).
There have also been reports of penyamun using tripwires or throwing nails on the road to stop bikes in their tracks. Once you are incapacitated this way, they will ambush you and relieve you of your wallet and other valuables. With any luck, they won’t hurt you that much in the process.
A key tip to staying safe from these nasty situations is to avoid secluded areas. Park in brightly lit places with good foot traffic, and don’t use quiet motorcycle lanes during non-peak hours.
Invest in a sturdy locking mechanism for your bike and always secure it to an unmovable object like a tiang. To make your bike even less attractive to robbers, personalise it with hard-to-remove markings. If cukup budget, you can also install an alarm system and a GPS tracker for even more peace of mind.
There have also been reports of penyamun using tripwires or throwing nails on the road to stop bikes in their tracks. Once you are incapacitated this way, they will ambush you and relieve you of your wallet and other valuables. With any luck, they won’t hurt you that much in the process.
A key tip to staying safe from these nasty situations is to avoid secluded areas. Park in brightly lit places with good foot traffic, and don’t use quiet motorcycle lanes during non-peak hours.
Invest in a sturdy locking mechanism for your bike and always secure it to an unmovable object like a tiang. To make your bike even less attractive to robbers, personalise it with hard-to-remove markings. If cukup budget, you can also install an alarm system and a GPS tracker for even more peace of mind.
Benda boleh cover, why need to kancheong...
Of course, we can all try our best to keep ourselves and our motorcycles safe, but if sh*t happens, it happens. So if you’re Team Motor, it’s important to get insured with a plan that’s designed especially for motorcyclists. Get a quote for your motorcycle insurance and road tax via Loanstreet today!
*The above article is intended for informational purposes only. Loanstreet accepts no responsibility for loss that may arise from reliance on information contained in the articles.
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