IT only takes a spark to start a fire.
Looking at the aerial view of the 12.5km scenic, dedicated bicycle lane from Queensbay to Gama filled with yellow Bike on Friday (BoF) T-shirts sponsored by ardent cyclists Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Mohd. Rashid Hasnon and assemblymember for Sungai Pinang Lim Siew Khim, one can see that the fire has started.
The idea for the bicycle lane was first introduced by the state government in 2011 and received good response from the public.
“Datuk Dr. Lim Seh Guan (chairman of G Club Cycling Club) is the person instrumental in campaigning for a bicycle lane in Penang. As far back as 2010, he approached me with the first initiative to claim equal rights for cyclists to use the roads,” exco member Chow Kon Yeow said at the launch of Gurney Plaza’s bicycle park in Jan.
BoF was introduced on March 20, 2015.On April 1, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng led over 150 cyclists as they rode from Queensbay to Komtar.
Although it was dark before the break of dawn, the cheerful yellow-shirted cyclists were excited to be the trailblazers in the initiative to be Malaysia’s first cycling state.
Guan Eng flagged off the ride accompanied by Seh Guan and other VIPs at 7am and the riders reached Gama about an hour later.
“I am proud to be here with all of you this morning to celebrate the first anniversary of BoF – Bike On Friday. Let us have more BoF teams. Let us all ride together to turn Penang into Malaysia’s first cycling state!” Guan Eng said in his speech before flagging off the riders.
Penang Island City Council (MBPP) Building Control Director Ar. Yew Tung Seang, who was instrumental in kicking off the dedicated bike lanes, said: “Phase One includes a 12 km dedicated bicycle lane on the east coast of the island beginning at Queensbay mall and ending in George Town. MBPP is now calling for an open tender to construct the second phase, which will allow cyclists to cycle from the Penang International Airport to Batu Maung and Straits Quay.” The second phase will involve the construction of three bicycle bridges and an approximately 39km bicycle lane.
Soon, Penangites will be able to cycle on dedicated lanes similar to those found abroad.
“Cyclists will be able to commute to work in the FTZ area using the spiral ramp. One can even enjoy the view at the viewing platform and take selfies with Pulau Jerjak in the background. The 10.5km lane will cut across Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu highway with bridges across Sungai Nibong Kecil and Sungai Ara,” Seh Guan said.