Who said its due to the noise (the lack of it) it make??
It's due to safety..
Come on la Malaysian..1 person tell, all believe...
Then kondem here and there kaw2..
I tried riding a electric powered bike to the shop loaned from a friend when he was on holiday in August 2011. Got stopped by a traffic police, ask me why my bike no sound. I told him it's a e-bike. Electric powered. He said not allowed and illegal because no sound people don't know you are there. I told him I'm just going to the shop from my house less than 5KM. I was not going very slow also, was doing 35km/h. If you say allow to used in highway then It's very dangerous but if where to use from housing area to shops near by then It should be ok.
Now at my working area, I see so many foreign workers riding bicycle in groups on the main road but everyday police car, police bike see them also don't stop them. Why? if its due to safety reason. Again if due to safety reason (anyone saw the news about 2 China girl travel on bikes crossing states in Malaysia) on China Press the news I believe is few days back.
If riding a electric bicycle, bike or a pedal powered one can help to reduce pollution, and promote healthy living. I so no reason it should not be adopted in a limited area. Say an area of 5KM from your house. The problem is our country do not have the facility to let us enjoy such thing so they ban the usage instead of upgrading the facilities because banning is always easier than doing more work to upgrade.
I just came back from Japan in Feb. They already have Hybrid bicycles. Cycling will charge the battery pack also moving the bicycle. Then you can use the battery to powered the bicycle for 30 to 45 mins with speed of 24km/h.
Just my 2 cents worth of opinion. If they say cannot then, what to do...don't use. It' very troublesome of going to shops and nearby places and needing to drive a car.