Johor: No plans to build circuit for mosquito bikers

ISKANDAR PUTERI: The state government has no plans to set up a circuit dedicated to mosquito bikes, or modified bicycle activities.

This was despite it becoming a trend among youth, said state Youth, Sports, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Datuk Zulkurnain Kamisan.

He said the state government could not condone the activity, which came into focus after eight children were killed and another eight were injured when a car ploughed into a group of 30 to 40 mosquito bike riders in Johor Baru on Feb 18

“We will not tolerate this as it will bring more harm than good to youth,” he said in his winding-up speech at the state assembly in Kota Iskandar here, yesterday.

He said most of the youth involved in mosquito bike activities were only keen to race on the road, and that such activities posed a danger to the riders, as well as motorists.

“We don’t want them to get involved with mosquito bike activities as they might end up taking part in illegal motorcycle races when they get older.

“We understand that teenagers are creative and are keen to try new things. But we have a choice whether to encourage or discourage this activity from spreading,” said Zulkurnain.

He added that mosquito bikes were not recognised as an extreme sport and could likely be a passing fad. He said there were many extreme sport activity places for cycling, skateboarding and wall-climbing in Johor, for youth.

During the opening of the state assembly on May 4, Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar questioned how the teenagers involved in the Feb 18 tragedy were allowed to ride in the city at 3am.

His majesty urged parents to monitor their children’s activities at all times. A few Johor assemblymen later touched on the topic when they debated the motion of thanks to the ruler’s speech.

Tengku Putra Haron Aminurrashid Jumat (BN-Kempas) had said the authorities should consider setting up new sport arenas or convert existing ones to allow youth involved in mosquito bike activities to have a place where they could ride safely.

“Providing a safe environment does not mean we are acknowledging this activity, also known as basikal lajak.

“What’s important is that their safety is guaranteed.

“Having such places give the authorities a captive audience to disseminate information on road safety as the youth will eventually use motorcycles, cars and other vehicles in future,” he told the state assembly on May 7.