Story by Chan Lilian
ENOURMOUS storm kicked up in a teacup.
That was how Datuk Dr. Lim Seh Guan, chairman of G Club Penang Cyclists, described the recent media coverage and uproar by the opposition party MCA and certain quarters.
Dr. Lim clarified certain facts to clear the confusion and to better inform a few assemblymembers, MPs and councillors as they too had taken the same stance as MCA in protesting the green lane demarcation by the Penang Island City Council (MBPP).
According to sources from MBPP, the 2.53km green lane was on Jalan Magazine to Lebuh Lintang, part of Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong, part of Lebuh Carnarvon, Jalan Kampung Kolam, Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, part of Lebuh Light and part of Jalan Padang Kota Lama.
The purpose is to connect the span of bicyle lanes from Straits Quay to Gurney to Esplanade and join the existing dedicated coastal bicycle lane from GAMA to Queensbay.
“A million words will do no justice compared to first-hand experience. We would like to invite critics and supporters alike to commute with us one of these Friday evenings when traffic is at its peak and feel for yourself the danger of being chased down by a bus and at the same time share the relative safety of the pavements with some pedestrians,” he said.
“The shared green lane is for cyclists. By cyclists, we mean commuting cyclists, not recreational cyclists. Commuting cyclists are those who want to travel from point A to point B, e.g.Tanjong Tokong to Gurney Plaza to do some groceries with two children in tow or from Burma Road to Beach Street to do some banking activities. This group of cyclists will cycle at most 10 kph due to the nature of the pavement, which is not conducive to ride fast. Recreational cyclists are those that cycle for sports on Saturdays and Sundays. They would not want to use the shared lane as they will go at 30 to 50 kph and they are usually in a pack,” he added.
“Do you remember when the change of traffic flow and turning Jalan Burma and Kelawai Road into a one-way street was thought to be a disaster by a certain group of users but it turned out to be a success story?
“It came as no surprise that there is some resistance to the shared lane proposal,” Dr. Lim said.
G Club had been instrumental in turning Penang into bicycle friendly state.
The members are active in promoting the Bike On Friday campaign and organised several main events in Penang like the recent City Ride and Tristate.