Why did The Bird cross the road?

There’s something exciting about crossing the road in Asian cities, and it seems no matter how well you think you have got your head around it, you can still never quite get it right!

The top 5 things you need to know about crossing the road. 

1. Traffic lights are optional, for both motorists and pedestrians. I have got my head around this idea quite easily (from this trip, and my last to Singapore and Thailand), however it still makes no sense! Surely if everyone followed the direction of the traffic lights, everyone would win in the long run? Or at least not get run over?
2. Lines are only a guide. I think this goes for all driving in fact, however it is essential to remember when crossing correctly within the designated crossing lines. Motorists will NOT stop at the line, but will rather push their vehicle/your legs forward, in an attempt to ensure the other top 4 things on this list can be provided successfully to all road users and pedestrians.
3. Gutters are deep. It rains a LOT in the tropics, and the depth of the gutters is obviously necessary… however it does add a little icing on the cake when you have just made a quick, life-threatening dash across the Bukit Bintang Walk, only to then have to immediately pull out a Xena-esque leap over a grand-canyon sized gutter, narrowly missing other tourists and vendors selling banana chips on the side of the road. You do feel a bit like McGyver when you pull it off smoothly, so that’s a plus.  
4. Footpaths are not just for foots. Scooters, bikes, junk vendors, 3m deep drains and stray animals also appear to be welcomed. In fact I would even say encouraged. It really does add to the excitement of a walk, when you miraculously make it across the road to the safety of the opposite footpath, only to find yourself right in the path of a Malay Lizzie Maguire look-a-like on her search for her very own pop-star Prince Charming.
5. Things twist. It would appear whatever Australia uses to attach traffic lights to traffic light poles is much stronger and more reliable than what they use in Malaysia. I have never seen a city with so many traffic lights that no longer point in their intended direction, or no longer work at all! Today I found a set at a pedestrian crossing, where I was greeted with a left arrow facing me, while the U64 local bus had my little green walking man all to itself. Give the green men back to the pedestrians I say!

Of course, there is nothing quite like traveling through a foreign city, and by no means would I ever want to change the experience (including the excitement of crossing the road!), however I do wonder what would happen if these 5 things were introduced on Australian roads! Or with my little sister on her L’s as of 2 days ago, maybe they already have?

Lines are just a guide when driving in KL.