RUAB: Many bicycle shops have decided not to modify any more bicycles for teenage cyclists after the 2017 tragic accident that claimed eight lives in Johor Bahru.

A bicycle shop owner in Raub, Pahang, told Sin Chew Daily all modified bicycles or basikal lajak that we see today are modified by the youngsters themselves, including replacing the chainsets and removing the brakes.

He urges young people not to deliberately modify their bicycles so as not to endanger themselves as well as other road users.

Ming Ming Bicycle Shop’s Lee Kai Wah said indeed there were young Malay cyclists requesting him to modify their bikes way before the JB incident. However, he said he refused to remove the brakes from the bicycles.

After that tragic accident, Lee has not received any more request to modify basikal lajak for the past five years.

“Honestly, our youngsters today are very crafty. They buy the parts and modify their bikes themselves. They are more skilful than many of our bicycle mechanics!”

He said Malay parents nowadays strictly ban their children from modifying their bikes and as such he no longer receives any request from the youngsters.

Citing the example of Sam Ke Ting, he urges young people not to modify their bicycles either by themselves or mechanics, as this will inflict harm not only on themselves but also other road users.

Bicycle mechanic Lee Yao Xuan told Sin Chew Daily youngsters normally modify their bikes by enlarging the front chainset and reducing the size of rear free wheel to allow the bike to move faster.

“They also remove the handbrakes, lower the front frame and install a wooden or plastic board at the back so that they can lie flat on the bike when racing.”

He said it is illegal to modify bicycles this way.

“Road racing of bicycles is illegal. I hope the government will enact a law to ban such activities.”

A basikal lajak typically costs between RM300 and RM400.