It’s World Bicycle Day today! We might have forgotten how to cycle after being stuck at home for so long, and while we don't have to necessarily grab our bikes today, we can definitely plan our biking trip for when the Movement Control Order (MCO) is lifted.
Photo: Agoda
If you’re not convinced on why you should explore the world on two wheels, Agoda has shared five reasons why you should get on a bike!
Cycling is a great way for you to get as close as you possibly can to nature, as many cycling routes boast and connect scenic sights, nature parks and the countryside.
Take in the sights at your own pace, hop on or off wherever you like- you can quite literally stop to smell the roses!
It’s not every day that you get to explore uncharted areas or authentically explore a new town or country.
Travelling on two wheels allows you to easily navigate off the beaten track areas, go and stop where public transport might not take you, and meet the locals and experience travel from a different perspective.
After being cooped up at home for so long, maybe it’s time for a little exercise.
Get your body back in shape and have fun while you’re at it. There is even greater satisfaction and reward in the experience when you’ve put in the effort to pedal the distance.
According to Agoda’s recent Next Decade Travel Trends research, more than 25% of travellers want to make more eco-friendly travel choices in the next decade.
So if you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint, cycling is definitely an affordable and eco-friendly way to get around.
It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey.
It could be a challenging route with hills and climbs or a few-hours family scenic cycle with the wind in your hair to a new part of town, but rest assured, travelling on a bicycle will surely bring you an incredible adventure from start to end.
Now that we’ve covered the reasons you should go cycling, here are some pedal power routes across Malaysia catered to biking trips of your liking.
For families, take the family on a fun educational and food adventure in historic Penang. Sundays are car-free days in Georgetown, an ideal time to experience this UNESCO Heritage site.
Photo: Agoda
Feel the sea breeze as you cycle past the clan jetties or go down the Georgetown heritage trail and spot traditional Peranakan architecture and iconic street art, and don’t forget to stop for some local street food!
Photo: Agoda
As for cycling enthusiasts, your next adventure can be discovering the beautiful Kiulu countryside on a cycling tour, where you get to pedal across a suspension bridge and visit the riverside villages that are home to the hospitable Dusun tribal people.
Photo: Agoda
Lastly, for all the nature lovers, be sure to visit one of the oldest rainforests in the world at Selangor’s Forest Research Institute Of Malaysia (FRIM), where you can pick from a range of easy to challenging cycling trails. You might even get to meet FRIM’s researchers along the way or spot what remains of an old Orang Asli settlement.
So, what are you waiting for? Start looking at bicycles and plan your biking trip today!
By: Siti Farhana Sheikh Yahya
