THE inaugural Penang International Bridge to Bridge Ride (PgIB2B) 2019, scheduled on June 30, has drawn an overwhelming response from 3,900 participants.
Organising chairman Datuk Dr Lim Seh Guan said they had decided to stop receiving entries as they had initially limited the number of cyclists to 3,500.
“We’ve to stop at 3,900 or else the entries may even go up to 8,000. We are thinking of the riders’ safety and convenience,” Lim told a press conference at Eastin Hotel today.
Lim said the historic ride would cover a total of 66km, 33km each way with the flag off from Queensbay Mall car park area at 6.30am heading towards the 1st Penang Bridge and hopefully just in time to catch the sunrise.
The cyclists, he added, would pedal along the secondary road towards Juru before coming to a regrouping cum water station at KDU University College in Batu Kawan.
After a break of 30 minutes, the cyclists will make the return leg from Batu Kawan to Queensbay Mall via the 24km 2nd Penang Bridge, or known as Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge. The event will end at Queensbay Mall by midday.
The public is advised to take note that on June 30, the 1st Penang Bridge closure (only one way from Penang island towards Butterworth) is from 6am to 8.30am while the 2nd Penang Bridge closure (also only one way from Batu Kawan to Penang island) is from 8am to 12 noon.
Lim said MBPP would provide sweeper trucks to pick up bicycles that ran into trouble during the ride so that the bridge would be clear of them by the time it was to be reopened.
He added that a lead car from the police would be used to help the cyclists spread out along the route by moving at a controlled speed of about 30 to 35kmph, or maybe 40kmph depending on the feedback received from the marshals.
Lim also advised cyclists not to stop and take any selfie while on the bridge.
Only cyclists donning official jersey would only be allowed to join the ride by police and Rela personnel.
“We would like to thank sponsors and all the relevant authorities for making the event possible,” Lim said.
Also present at the press conference were Penang Island City Council (MBPP) Management Services Department director Mohamed Akbar Mustapha, Balik Pulau OCPD Supt A. Anbalagan, South Seberang Perai traffic chief Ahmad Affzanizam and Paramount Property senior manager (sales and marketing) Teoh Boon Hooi.
Others included Jabatan Kedua Sdn Bhd deputy manager Mohd Azahar Awang, LLM (Northern region) administrative officer Muhamad Fahmi Ramli, Paramount Property manager (marketing & branding, sales & marketing) Yvonne Khoo Yi Mun, Eastin Hotel’s Marcom manager Stephanie Lee and Red Bull’s sales executive Marilyn Kee.
Mohamed Akbar expressed hope that the event would become an annual affair.
Paramount Property, the main sponsor, will also be sending a team of 10 riders, including Paramount Group chief executive officer Jeffrey Chew, to take part in the PgIB2B ride.
Teoh, who represented Paramount Property chief executive officer Beh Chun Chong, said Chew himself was an avid cyclist.
“This is truly an excellent initiative by MBPP in collaboration with the Malaysian Highway Authority towards building a green and bicycle-friendly state,” Teoh said.
“For us at Paramount Property, it is a huge privilege to be able to participate in this historic ride as title sponsor.
“We’ve been involved with cycling in 2012 with the Bukit Banyan Green Ride, the first eco-ride event in Sungai Petani. The positive response to this event fuelled the organisation of annual cycling get-togetherness with family and friends. Paramount Property had also sponsored the Penang Interstate Ride 2018.”
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Law Suun Ting