Are you a regular commuter, relying on public transportation, particularly rail services like the LRT, MRT, KTM, or even the Monorail? If you are, you're likely well-acquainted with the challenge of securing a spot on a coach, especially during peak hours. However, a persistent issue, particularly for commuters on the MRT Kajang line, is the behaviour of male passengers who consistently enter the women's coach, disregarding the clear signage designating it exclusively for women.
Read: Women-Only Coach Disruption: Malaysian Man's Rude Behaviour Sparks Conflict
If you thought things couldn't get worse, the women's coach issue has once again stirred controversy, this time fueled by a group of cyclists who boldly brought their bikes onto an MRT carriage. The image, shared by X Page @pedoqpop, revealed a blatant disregard for designated areas, blocking the path for other users moving between carriages. While bringing bikes on board is allowed, the real point of contention arose from the fact that these men not only failed to use the designated area for their bicycles but also chose to occupy seats in the specially reserved women's coach—adding insult to injury.
— Pedoq, what is this behaviour? (@pedoqpop) January 21, 2024
Debate Sparks Online
As the post gained traction on the app, garnering numerous reposts, netizens voiced their opinions, condemning the group that brought bicycles onto the train. Some expressed concerns about the potential unpleasant smell from the sweat of cycling, while others questioned how the men could overlook the clear designation of the coach as being reserved exclusively for women.
The most heated online debate revolved around the unconventional practice of cyclists bringing their bicycles onto public transport. While not a common sight in Malaysia, it is widely popular overseas, often facilitated by designated bicycle racks.
Despite the prevailing scepticism, not all responses were negative. Some individuals came to the defence of the cyclists, highlighting the necessity of considering the safety aspect. They argued that certain cycling routes in Kuala Lumpur can be perilous due to inadequate path maintenance, justifying the cyclists' choice to bring their bikes on the train.
Here’s some of the comments:
Boleh bawak basikal masuk MRT time non peak hours tapi tulah… duduk coach perempuan. Husnuzon jelah. Maybe dorang first time naik MRT kot and tak tahu MRT ada gender division 🤷🏻♂️
— WhoamI? (@IamRaffffffff) January 21, 2024
memang boleh bawak basikal masuk tren dari 2017 lagi (except ETS) cuma takleh bawak masuk time peak hour. tren pun tengah kosong tu. buat teruk je orang yang dm hang ni doq haha
— Ahmad (@uhmad_) January 21, 2024
Geng2 berbasikal tapi loser, peluh bau babi pastu pergi duduk kat women only coach, kalau pergi dekat coach general okay la, sama macam golongan baru habis main gym pastu pakai baju nampak bulu ketiak makan kat restoran, geli bodoh
— Malas Morales (@coolitsdemkool) January 21, 2024
yang salahnya women coach
— naz (@nazrarib) January 21, 2024
yang salahnya women coach
— naz (@nazrarib) January 21, 2024
Kalau di Jepun, dalam train bole bawa basikal tapi orang Jepun letak proper mereka punya basikal. Tapi kalau tgk yang ni, mcm bapa dia punya MRT.
— Aiko Ishimori (@aiko_ishimori) January 21, 2024
So, Are Bicycles Allowed On The Train?
In case you're unaware, cyclists are permitted to bring their bikes onto the train, complete with a designated area for their convenience. Nevertheless, these privileges are accompanied by a specific set of conditions.
❓DID YOU KNOW?
— MRT Corp (@MRTMalaysia) March 25, 2021
You can now also bring foldable scooters and non-foldable bikes onto the MRT Kajang Line trains during permissible hours. Previously, passengers were only allowed to bring foldable bicycles.
RapidKL Bike & Ride Guidelines 🚊🚲🛴
➡https://t.co/FkVHGbz23J pic.twitter.com/co06w7frEl
MRT Malaysia shared a comprehensive set of guidelines for cyclists through a tweet from X, offering clear directives on when commuters can bring both foldable and non-foldable bicycles. The regulations delineate distinct periods, with non-foldable bicycles limited to weekends, a likely measure to accommodate the heightened volume of MRT users during the weekday rush hour commute.
Here are the times:
Monday through Friday
- 10:00 am until 3:00 pm.
- 8:00 pm until 12:00 midnight.
Only foldable bicycles or scooters are allowed
- Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.
- 6:00 am until 12:00 midnight.
- Folding and non-folding bicycles or scooters are permitted.
In addition to specifying the hours, MyRapid KL encourages cyclists to adhere to the following guidelines, ensuring a smooth and considerate experience for both the cyclists and fellow passengers.
- Ensure the bike is clean.
- Only one bicycle per user.
- Do not ride the bicycle inside the train station.
- Bikes are to be placed in the designated area for wheelchair users.
- Cyclists under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult on the train.
It's important to highlight that non-folding bicycles are strictly prohibited on both the Monorail and BRT, and there are no provisions for obtaining specific permissions in this regard.
In conclusion, it's a simple ask from women: a plea for men to conduct themselves respectfully on the MRT, refraining from encroaching on the designated space of the women's coach. Here's hoping for a swift shift in attitudes, with men learning to appreciate and respect the designated seating areas for women.
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments.
*Sources: Visual and Reference Credits to Social Media & various cross-references for context.
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