Motorcyclists have decried the proposal by police to bar motorcycles from certain parts of cities, in an effort to curb crime, as discriminatory.

Many of those interviewed by Malaysiakini said that should the plan be implemented, it will most likely affect how law-abiding low-income community, who can't afford other forms of transportation, earn a living.

NONE They were referring to the statement made by Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar ( left ) last week who, during an interview with Astro Awani , said that police are mulling introducing “ safety zones ”, free of motorbikes.

He had said this is because 90 percent of street crimes are “caused by criminals on motorcycles”.

Former journalist Radzi Razak, 28, said it was not a good strategy to combat crime as he felt the such a move will only serve to “demonise” motorcycle riders.

“Not all riders are like that. More and more people ride motorcycles to offset the cost of living, so (this policy) is not fair to them and to us,” he said.

NONE He also feels that the statistics spouted by Khalid is not justified, as the police did not engage with the people on this matter or revealed their plan in stopping street crimes.

When probed on the root problem of the matter, Radzi ( right ) put it down to enforcement.

“Before, in Bangsar, there were a lot of street crimes and when the police set up their police station nearby and began patrolling the streets, the number of crimes reduced.”

Implement motorcycle lanes

A former KTMB supervisor, who only wanted to be known only as Kadir, was also displeased with the planned “safety zones”, saying it would impose a great problem for those in the lower-income group.

NONE “What about poor people? They cannot afford big cars.

"Motorcycle lanes should be implemented as a law for them to use, not a ‘safety zone’ whereby the police close up a place and the bikes can’t enter,” the 56-year-old ( right ) said.

There were others who felt that this policy greatly generalised motorcyclists, whom they believed were not all criminals.

“If you (police) say ‘safety zones’ (to bar motorcyclists from entering areas), it will bring inconvenience to the other motorcyclists, which is not fair to them. It is not really an effective method,” said a 54 stockbroker, who identified himself as Chew.

Meanwhile a bank employee, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “The government and the police need to look at things from another angle or try another alternative before enforcing this policy.

“It is not an effective method in stopping crime. Even when you walk down the street, you may also get robbed.”