Cameron Highlands: Ditch the car and explore on a scooter
CAMERON HIGHLANDS: For visitors hoping to make the most of their holiday, the quickest way to explore Cameron Highlands may not be by car but on two wheels. Rental motorcycles offer a practical alternative to avoid gridlock and limited parking, allowing tourists to visit more attractions without spending hours on congested roads.
Cameron Highlands recorded 2,100,358 tourist arrivals in 2025, a 52.45% increase from 1,377,732 the previous year, according to Tourism Pahang statistics.
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Last June, district police chief Supt Azri Ramli cited rising vehicle numbers, limited parking and twolane roads as factors contributing to congestion, particularly around Kea Farm and Jalan Ringlet.
For visitor Noaziah Abd Wahab, the choice was simple: leave the car at the hotel and switch to a scooter. Having driven up with friends, she decided to rent a motorcycle rather than risk losing valuable holiday time in traffic.
“The roads in Cameron Highlands are badly jammed and I didn’t want to waste time,” she told theSun. With two people able to travel on one motorcycle, she found it easier to get around without having to worry about parking.
“I would recommend that visitors rent a motorcycle when they come here on holiday. The price is reasonable too,” she said.
For rental operator Saiful Nazir, the demand for two-wheel travel presented an opportunity to build a business after the Covid-19 pandemic left many people jobless.
The former hotel worker from Padang Serai, Kedah, started renting out motorcycles in 2022 with a fleet of six.
He has since focused on Vespa models to distinguish his business from other operators.
“Before Covid, there were already people renting out motorcycles here, but not that many,” he said.
Bookings are generally strongest from Thursday to Sunday and rise further during public holidays, he added.
Saiful charges RM140 for a 24- hour Vespa rental, RM120 for 12 hours and RM75 for a minimum fivehour rental.
His shop operates round the clock, and he buys both new and second-hand motorcycles in cash.
To keep operating costs down, he handles maintenance himself, including changing engine oil and replacing damaged parts.
“If you look after the motorcycles properly, maintenance isn’t a problem,” he said. Most of his customers are locals, and the rental process is straightforward.
Customers must complete a rental form, pay a RM100 deposit and produce their identity cards and valid driving licences.
Two helmets are provided, although customers may use their own. But the freedom of exploring Cameron Highlands on two wheels comes with limits.
Saiful does not allow customers to ride his motorcycles along steep routes towards Gunung Brinchang and Big Red Strawberry Farm because of the risk of accidents and damage.
“There have been many cases of riders falling and motorcycles getting damaged,” he said.
Another operator, Muhammad Rozeimie Rohimi of Mirza Razia Enterprise, began renting out motorcycles in Kampung Taman Sedia, where he lives, about a year ago.
His fleet includes the Yamaha Avantiz and Honda Vario, with rates ranging from RM40 for four hours to RM130 a day, depending on the model.
Customers are expected to compensate him for damage sustained during the rental period.
For minor damage, such as a broken lamp, the repair cost is assessed, with customers able to pay for the repair or buy a replacement part online and have it delivered to the shop.
Fuel arrangements are negotiated between the operator and customer.
Those who collect a motorcycle with a full tank are expected to return it with a full tank. Rozeimie plans to expand his fleet with larger-capacity models, including the Honda ADV160 and Yamaha XMAX 250. “Many customers ask for bigger bikes,” he said.