Some of the best ways to experience a country is on two wheels so why not take a spin around our very own backyard and explore Malaysia on a bicycle. As World Bicycle Day just passed on 3 June, there are five reasons why a bike is the best mode of transport and great cycling routes around Malaysia to save for later travel, courtesy of Agoda.

5 Reasons to get on your bike

Get Closer to Nature

According to Agoda’s Usage & Attitude Study 2019, Nature/Countryside is the top motivation for people to travel. Cycling gets you close to that with many cycle routes boasting and connecting scenic sights, nature parks and the countryside. Take in the sights at your own pace, hop on or off where you like, and quite literally stop to smell the roses.

Unique Experiences

Get to know a place, maybe even your own town or country, authentically; Traveling on two wheels allows you to easily navigate off the beaten track areas, go and stop where public transport might not take you , explore country lanes and tracks, meet the locals and experience travel from a different perspective.

A Rewarding Workout

With health being a key topic in 2020, who would mind some exercise and have fun while at it? There is even greater satisfaction and reward in the experience when you’ve put in the effort to pedal the distance.

Eco-Friendly

Keen to reduce your carbon footprint? More than 25% of travelers want to make more eco-friendly travel choices in the next decade, according to Agoda’s recent Next Decade Travel Trends research. Cycling is an affordable and eco-friendly way to get around.

It is All in the Journey

You know what they say about how it is the journey that matters. 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, traveling on a bicycle brings an incredible adventure from start to end.

Pedal power routes across Malaysia

From lovely beaches to historical towns, there is much to explore on bike in Malaysia beyond the bustling city of Kuala Lumpur. If you’re spending more than a day, check in at one of Agoda’s 39,000 properties in Malaysia. Solo or family and group travelers will be spoiled for choice with the wide range of hotels and Agoda homes and apartments.

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. Feel the sea breeze cycling past the clan jetties, go down the Georgetown heritage trail and spot traditional Peranakan architecture and iconic street art, and stopping at your convenience for some local street food.

For cycling enthusiasts:

Discover 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.

For 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 get to meet FRIM’s researchers along the way or spot what remains of an old Orang Asli settlement.

Be it near or far, Malaysia is truly a stunning country with many hidden paths to discover. So instead of taking a car into town, why not just rent a bike and explore it from a different perspective?

Stay safe!