First and last mile

CONGRATULATIONS and well done to the government in finally getting the MRT line up and going. It should change the way a lot of people travel in Greater KL/Klang Valley for work and play.

However, it was disappointing that, in the article for “Walking on the edge” ( The Star, July 14), the government perceives cycling and walking as seemingly not suitable for our tropical climate as the first and last mile connectivity. This is contentious and erroneous. It also wrongly assumes our European counterparts are impervious to and suffer little discomfort from heat and sweat.

Temperature variances are huge between the four seasons. The human body reaction to cope with temperature variances is relative to what the body is used to. In temperate climates where our European counterparts have to endure singledigit or freezing temperatures for six or more months a year, a rise of 10° is already warm; and any higher than that, it will be hot. In winter, they are wrapped up in layers of warm clothing, and walking and cycling warms them up, and sweating will occur. Yet with all these variations in temperature, and having also to endure heat and sweat just like we do here, their government encourages and advocates cycling and walking as part of the transport system.

Our tropical climate, with the heat and sweat, cannot be used as an excuse to not encourage cycling and walking because our European counterparts have the same issues even in temperate climate. Not too long ago, before cars became our main mode of transport, and an environmental and land issue as is currently, cycling and walking were important and essential modes of transport. It is not alien or something we never had before.

Cycling and walking must be encouraged, and the government must educate and provide sufficient infrastructure to promote this. It not only helps reduce congestion at stations or their car parks and on the roads, it further reduces pollution.

The exercise from cycling or walking can only be good for the people and indirectly helps our health services. Once people start cycling or walking to stations for the first and last mile, it is probable it becomes a habit, and this habit can be extended to go to nearby shops, malls, restaurants, colleges, places of worship, etc. It can only be beneficial and healthy when people move around more on their feet than driving around in cars.

In addition, the infrastructure costs for bicycle lanes and pedestrian footpaths are much lower compared to providing feeder buses and more roads or parking spaces for cars.

The government should review and actively adopt and encourage cycling and walking not just as first and last mile connectivity but as part of the transport system. The benefits are numerous, and it’s not just about having fewer cars on the roads.

KOO WEE HON Petaling Jaya