Fixie on motorbike=it's only RM4

Since I don't like to take my bike with my car, I always have problem joining rides that requires me to come very early in the morning or leaving late at night after the rides. Costing wise, for instance to drive to Putrajaya to join the Putrajaya Critical Mass, it would cost me around RM21.40 i.e RM15 (petrol) and RM6.40 (Toll). If i use my motorbike (Honda EX5), it would cost me only RM2 (petrol) for that trip. So to solve the problem and to save cost, I have designed a simple bike carrier that uses 2 wooden sticks that you can find at your backyard. I just use 6 bungee cords to tie the bike and the DIY carrier which I bought at the night market for only RM4.


Before you start tying the carrier and the bicycle, make sure your motorbike tank is FULL.


It's only RM4 for this 6 bungee cords


Put the 2 wooden sticks across and tie it with 3 bungee cords (indicated by 2 reds and 1 blue bungee cords) to the GIVI motorbike rack


Position the bike slanting across the carrier


Make sure your crank are parallel and tie the chain with string.


Tie the seat tube to the carrier


Tie the handlebar, top tube and downtube with the bungee cord to the GIVI motorbike rack


Tie the wheelset with the bungee cord to the GIVI motorbike rack


Completed view from rear


Completed view from side


Shake the motorbike to ensure that the bike is firmly secured (QC)! To ensure that you will not scratch you bicycle, you need to cover some of the parts that are in contact with the GIVI motorbike rack and DIY carrier.

I know that some people has done something better than my version. But it's okay. At the moment, it's solved my problem. I will try to improve it in the future.

Use your front brake only and save more!

I have been using my front brake only for braking for the past 2 years and so far no untoward incidents happen. Since I am riding at an average speed of 20km/hr, stopping my bike is not a problem at all. Ever since I learned this technique from the late Sheldon Brown website, I will not have to replace the rear brake pad for a long long time.



I am a fan of V-brake for its low and easy maintenance. My brake pad normally cost me about RM5-10 a pair. I don't use all those expensive brake pads as I just use "Chap Ayam" (ordinary) rims. Commuting bike does not require all those high performance brakes and rims. So start learning the technique of using your front brake and you could save more!

cyclefriday slow ride is back! 8th January 2010

I have been extremely busy for the past 6 months and could not organise the Teh Tarik Session as well as the slow ride. So now let's join the fun and enjoy the city ride.


Meeting place: Pelita near KLCC

Meeting Time: 6pm onwards for Teh Tarik session.

Ride start: 8.30pm

Ride duration: about 1 hour.


Route: Pelita ---> Jln Yap Kwan Seng---> Jln Tun Razak---> Jln Pahang (GHKL) --->Chow Kit ---> Jln Tuanku Abdul Rahman ---> Dataran Merdeka ---> KTM ---> Central Market ---> Petaling Street ---> Puduraya ---> Berjaya Times Square ---> Bukit Bintang ---> KLCC


Note: Not suitable for road bikes coz it's gonna be too slow.

cyclefriday! The Merdeka Slow Ride 14th August 2009

It's The Merdeka Slow Ride! Come and Join us for the fun.


Meeting place: Pelita near KLCC

Meeting Time: 6pm onwards for Teh Tarik session.

Ride start: 8.30pm

Ride duration: about 1 hour.

Note: Not suitable for road bikes coz it's gonna be too slow.

cyclefriday slow ride 12 June 2009

Objective: To familiarise cyclists with Kuala Lumpur busy traffic as well as to promote bicycle as an alternative transport. A slow pace ride is one the best ways to enjoy the night scenary in Kuala Lumpur.

Meeting place: Pelita near KLCC

Meeting Time: 6pm onwards for Teh Tarik session.

Ride start: 8.30pm

Ride duration: about 1 hour.

Note: Not suitable for road bikes coz it's gonna be too slow.

How about converting motorbike lane to bicycle lane?

Lately I have been using the motorbike lane at the Federal Highway on my journey to office from USJ to KL. The motorbike lane is separated from the highway and is a stretch from Klang to Midvalley Megamall. I travelled during the non peak hours i.e after 8.30am and find it very safe. The lane is about 9 feet wide thus has ample space for motorbikes to overtake.


You need to be careful as you enter the motorbike lane. I would normally stop at this point.



Ensure that you ride on the left hand side and use the white line as a guide to ride straight.



Need a break and refill. No problem:-) On the way towards Kl direction, there's a stall after the Armada Hotel, Petaling Jaya.


On the way towards Klang, there's a cendol seller after you passed by Jalan 222. It's before the Overhead bridge.



At about 100-150 metres towards the exit, I would move to the right hand side to enable me to have easy and safe exit.


Make sure that you look back to ensure that you have clear traffic and use your right hand to indicate that you are moving to the right.

I would stop at the exit point look for oncoming cars.



It would be GREAT if the laws allow motorbikes to use the federal highway so that the motorbike lane could be use SOLELY for bicycles. The federal highway has emergency lane that could be used by motorcyclists.



I think it could encourage more people to cycle to work especially the one residing and working in Klang, Shah Alam, Subang Jaya, Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur. Most people didn't realise that for distance below 30km, it's most efficent to cycle than taking the public transport. I know coz I am doing it on daily basis. I will blog later on this matter. So for now keep on cycling using the motorbike lane so that motorcyclists would be familiar with our presence. I really find it enjoyable cycling to KL or Midvalley Megamall via the motorbike lane.

Watch Out!-The Left Turn Junction

1. I always noted that most motorists did not give signal when they are turning left. Are they trying to save their car battery or they think we can read their mind that they are turning left?




2. So when you are approaching the Left Turn Junction and you want to go STRAIGHT, you need to:

3. Look back.
There are two types of drivers/motorcyclists

4. First type. They will slow down and go behind you and give signal that they are turning left. So you just need to flag your right hand to indicate that you are going straight. I always give thumb up as a gesture of appreciation:-)

5. Second type. They will start moving away a bit and sometimes didn't give signal to turn left. Normally I will just brake and let them go first. Sometimes I will just TURN LEFT to avoid colliding with them.

6. Sometimes I will just stop at the corner and wait till the traffic clears.

7. If there's vehicle coming out from the left turn junction, maintain EYE CONTACT with the driver. Make sure he/she sees you. Flag your left hand to indicate to give way for you to go first. If the driver is not making eye contact with you, just brake and let the vehicle to go first.


maintain eye contact with the driver (grey car) coming out from the junction.

8. Practice defensive riding skills. Always be on alert. Never ever rush. Just relax and enjoy your ride.