THE Bike on Friday (BOF) programme returned to the streets here after a brief hiatus, bringing together nearly 100 participants for a leisure ride to fuel the spirit of National Month 2026.
Organised by the Penang Island City Council’s (MBPP) corporate and community management department, the 4.2km ride flagged off at 7am from the Town Hall grounds in Jalan Padang Kota Lama on Aug 28.
MBPP councillor Mohamad Yusoff Mohamed Noor, who served as the main driver of the event, described the session as a “reunion ride.”
“Today’s ride serves as a reunion to regroup recreational cycling enthusiasts. We aim to revive the BOF spirit and promote cycling as part of a healthy lifestyle,” Yusoff said.
He highlighted that the BOF initiative was originally introduced to encourage council staff to commute by bicycle, reducing reliance on private vehicles, easing traffic congestion, and lowering carbon emissions.
He added that cycling contributes to physical well-being while aiding ongoing efforts to build a greener, low-carbon, and community-friendly city.
The participants, comprising MBPP heads of departments, officers, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and local cycling enthusiasts, navigated key heritage routes including Lebuh Light, Penang Street, Lebuh Chulia, Lorong Pitt, Lebuh Ah Quee, Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, Cannon Street, Lebuh Acheh, Lebuh Carnarvon, Lebuh Kimberley, Jalan Penang, Jalan Dr Lim Chee Leong, Jalan Kampung Kolam, and Lebuh Farquhar, before returning to the Town Hall.
The ride also featured a 30-minute breakfast pit stop, turning the event into an opportunity to strengthen ties between council staff and the local cycling community.
The BOF programme will continue as a recurring platform to promote green mobility, active living, and closer community engagement.
MBPP expressed its appreciation to all participants and to Link Bike for supporting the event by providing bicycles for the riders.
Story by Sarbeyshwaran Rajalingam
Pix courtesy of MBPP