Riding for neighbourhood safety | The Star

BICYCLE patrols in SS14 Subang Jaya, Selangor, are a weekly sight as the residential area’s Rukun Tetangga (RT) teams patrol the streets to ensure safety.

The Cycle Ronda Team has resident-volunteers in two teams of four.

They play a crucial part in community policing to help keep the neighbourhood safe.

SS14 RT member Dr Christopher Tan, who leads the bicycle patrol, said every Tuesday the team covered about 7km in about an hour starting from 8.30pm.

“Our team rides through the residential areas, along shop lots, back lanes and the main road of Jalan SS14/1 where the LRT SS18 station borders SS14.

“We go past the LRT station to keep watch for office workers walking home.

“While on patrol, if our team spots any suspicious characters seated in cars with engines idling, we will approach and ask if they need directions.

“This usually prompts them to drive away. If the vehicle is still in the area, we will call the police,” he said.

Tan, a pharmacist, said being on a bicycle allowed the team to be closer to the people they were watching out for.

Tan (left) and another RT member checking out a house with its gate left open.

Being on bikes also gave better access into several parks in the area and encouraged conversation with residents, he said.

“Our SS14 RT wants to create a connection with the people so that if something were to occur, they will tell us as they know who we are,” he said.

Victor Choo, who founded the bicycle patrol in 2018, is glad that the patrols are still being carried out as the aim is to create visibility and to respond promptly to residents’ needs.

SS14 RT chairman John Zachariah said the area was sandwiched between New Pantai Expressway (NPE) to the north, Shah Alam Expressway (Kesas) to the south, Persiaran Kewajipan to the east and Persiaran Jengka to the west.

“Our neighbourhood is well-planned as the roads are mostly laid out in a grid with properties facing north-south or east-west.

“The area comprises mostly residential properties with several rows of shoplots fronting main roads and three schools,” he said.

John said he supported the bicycle patrols as they were environmentally friendly.

“New residents are pleasantly surprised to learn of a dedicated group that alerts them if their gates are left open,” he said.

John urged more residents to be part of the team as the activity promoted a healthy lifestyle.

“With more volunteers we can increase the frequency of patrols,” he said.

Alliance for Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye commended the SS14 RT’s efforts to improve community relations and help keep the area safe.

“One of the biggest advantages of a bicycle patrol is its ability to navigate swiftly around the neighbourhood.

“More residents should be part of the team,” he said.