By The Star

Thursday July 30, 2009
Dog’s eye view of ride
By MANJIT KAUR
WHILE over 200 participants took part in the monthly Penang Heritage Experience on Wheels in George Town, a little pomeranian was tucked comfortably in its owner’s ‘basikal tua’ basket, observing the buzz of activities around it.
Candy Chhung, 28, a designer, said this was her second time participating in the event with her four-year-old pet dog named ‘Xiao Hei’ which means ‘little black’ in Chinese.
“He loves outings. I made a little cap, a T-shirt and comfortable bedding for him in the basket,’’ she said.
Enjoying his outing: Xiao Hei sitting pretty in his basket, attended to by his owner Chhung.
The black pomeranian seemed to be enjoying the experience, looking left and right at those gathered at the Esplanade for the event.
The event held every last Sunday of the month was flagged off by state executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow, after which he also took part in the event, riding a classic bicycle.
Also taking part in the event were State Youth, Sports, Women, Family and Community Development Committee chairman Lydia Ong Kok Fooi and Tanjung Bungah assemblyman Teh Yee Cheu,
Penang Classic Bicycle Owners Club vice-president Cheng Kim Heng said about 20 club members took part in the event.
The 63-year-old man from Air Itam in Penang said the antique bicycles riden by the club members dated back to between 1906 and 1942.
Club member Seow Heng Dong, 60, said he modified his vintage bicycle’s frame so that his bicycle could look more attractive.
The ride, which started at 8.30am, ended at the New World Park at about 11am.
His pride and joy: Ikhwan showing his 'New Hudson Sport' bicycle.
The participants stopped at five heritage sites — Fort Cornwallis, Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, Cheah Kongsi, Kapitan Keling Mosque and St George’s Church.
The event ended at the New World Park where a Vintage Bicycle Show and Competition were being organised.
The cycling event was organised by the State Sports Council and coorganised by Penang Cycling Lifestyle Society and the Knights of the Round Table Club.

By The Star

Thursday July 30, 2009
Beauties turning heads
By MANJIT KAUR
A CLASSIC bicycle enthusiast who cycled around the country in 23 days was among those who displayed his bicycle at a Vintage Bicycle Show held in Penang.
Nor Izam Abd Latif, from Batu Gajah in Perak, bought the bicycle for only RM30 from a bicycle shop.
He then forked out RM500 to refurbish his ‘basikal tua’.
Vintage part: Nor Izam Abd Latif showing the oil lamp fixed on his 'basikal tua'.
The 27-year-old said the accessories, especially the oil lamp and a leather bag, were expensive and difficult to find.
“I did not buy the bicycle just to keep it for show so early last month, I embarked on a bike journey around peninsular Malaysia,’’ said Nor Izam, a construction worker. His journey started and ended at Batu Gajah.
Some 50 vintage bicycles such as Hercules, Raleigh, Triumph and Rudge were put on display by owners from Penang, Malacca, Perak, Kuala Lumpur and Johor.
The show was opened by state executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow at the New World Park on Swatow Lane on Sunday.
Some 200 people, including Chow who participated in the monthly Penang Heritage Experience on Wheels earlier, stopped at the New World Park to admire the bicycles.
A family from Nibong Tebal, dressed up in clothes from the era of P. Ramlee, brought nine vintage bicycles for display.
The bikes dated between 1951 and 1960.
Jaafar Dahari, his brother Jasim Dahari, daughter Nabilah Jaafar and cousin Wan Yazli Yaacob were among the family members who dressed in olden-day costumes.
Classic models:(from left to right) Jasim Dahari, Wan Yazli Yaacob, Jaafar Dahari and Nabilah Jaafar posing with their 'basikal tua' during the Vintage Bicycle Show held at the New World Park in Penang on Sunday.
Another avid classic bike collector was Ikhwan Izam, 33, who dressed like a policeman in the 1940s.
He said he bought his bicycle for RM850 but spent about RM4,000 to purchase the original parts.
Ihkwan, from the Batu Berendam Antique Bicycle Club, displayed his ‘New Hudson Sport’ bicycle.
“I have been hunting for the bicycle parts all over the country and I was lucky that certain shops still actually had the spare parts,’’ he added.
His pride and joy: Ikhwan showing his 'New Hudson Sport' bicycle.
Earlier, Chow said a sub-committee held their first meeting on the plans for a dedicated bicycle lane in the state.
“I have yet to get a progress report from the committee led by MPPP president Tan Cheng Chui.
“The state government is aware of the needs of the cycling community and we will try to come up with the best solution,’’ he said.
PPB Hartabina Sdn Bhd senior manager Clarence Tan said the bicycles rekindled memories of the olden days.
“Those days, people enjoyed cycling which was perhaps the only mode of transport that was affordable to most.”

http://arts-ed-penang.org/

What ?

Bicycle Trail Map Creation with the Balik Pulau young cyclists from “Mountain & Village Crewz Balik Pulau” The map will highlight the significant local attractions in cultural and heritage assets such as scenery, farm, cottage industries, food, which are only accessible by bicycle.

When?

June – Aug, Weekends ( depends on the schedule within the team which will be set later )First cycling meeting 6 and 7 June ( Sat and Sun ) 8am -12 noon

Where?

Balik Pulau and neighbouring villages

Who?

Anyone who is interested in cycling in nature site and would like to share he/she knows through documentation to others What criteria do I need to be part of the team? ? have your own transport to go to Balik Pulau and a bicycle to move around also you who like to share and work with young people

By The Star
Wednesday June 3, 2009
Mountain bike jamboree’s back
THE Kayuh Lasak Penang Mountain Bike Jamboree will be back this year after a one-year hiatus.
Penang Youth, Sports, Women, Family and Community Development Committee chairman Lydia Ong Kok Fooi said the event on Dec 5 and Dec 6 was expected to attract 700 cyclists from various countries.
She said its route would showcase Penang’s heritage sites through a cyclist’s perspective and promote Penang as a premier mountain biking destination.
“We want to promote cycling not only as a healthy sport but also as a fun and exhilarating activity, riding in a group.
“We hope more cyclists will join the event and view George Town and Penang Hill from a cyclist’s perspective,” she told a press con-ference at the Penang Sports Council’s office in Batu Uban recently.
Ong said the event was open to all levels of recreation riders, competitive mountain bikers, bicycle clubs, associations and individuals.
The highlight of the first day’s event will be a treasure hunt with participants having to answer riddles along the way, sightseeing on bicycle around George Town, absorbing famous sights and savouring local food.
Each team will consist of up to five cyclists.
Ong said the first three teams to complete the hunt with all correct answers would receive prizes.
On Dec 6, the event will take on a mixed trail around Penang’s tropical rainforest, off road, single track, uphill and technical downhill in the Penang Hill area.
The event is jointly organised by the Penang Youth and Sports Committee, Penang Sports Council and Kelab KOTRT Taman Perbandaran. It is aimed at encouraging sports tourism on bicycles.
Participants can register from Sept 1 to Sept 30. Those interested in sponsoring the event can contact Shamoon Shabudin at 012-4296363 or email shamlink9091@yahoo.com.

By The Star

Tuesday May 26, 2009
Committee to study plans for dedicated bicycle lane
PENANG has set up a working committee to look into the idea of a dedicated bicycle lane in the state.
State Local Government and Traffic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said the initiative was an “official step forward” to making the roads in Penang bicycle-friendly.
“We encourage anything to help turn Penang into an international city.
“There have been a lot of proposals and we want to give all of them serious consideration as they will push road users to acknowledge the rights of cyclists to share the road,” Chow said at a press conference recently.
He added that he would instruct Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) acting president Tan Cheng Chui to form the committee incorporating Public Works Department officers.
Tanjung Bungah assemblyman Teh Yee Cheu and Pantai Jerejak assemblyman Sim Tze Tzin who had both been involved in tourism-related bicycle activities are also involved in the committee, Chow added.
Pedal power: (From right) Teh, Chow Kon Yeow and Ong throwing their support behind the idea of a bicycle lane in Penang.
State Youth, Sports, Women, Family and Community Development Committee chairman Lydia Ong Kok Fooi, who was present, also announced that the state was endorsing a monthly Bicycle Joy Ride from G Hotel in Gurney Drive to Teluk Bahang.
“The event is organised by the G-Club Penang Cyclists who are a recreational group of cyclists in the state.
“It will be held every second Sunday of the month and is part of efforts to garner public support for dedicated bicycle lanes in Malaysia,” Ong said.
She added that the event would complement the Heritage Experience On Wheels event by the State Sports Council that took riders around the heritage enclave every last Sunday of the month.

By The Star

Tuesday May 19, 2009
Beating a wonder trail
By CHRISTINA CHIN

Photos by RONNIE CHIN
PENANG Island’s beautiful coastline stretching all the way from Batu Maung, Pantai Jerejak and Bayan Bayan Lepas to the clan jetties, Esplanade and Gurney Drive in George Town and Tanjung Tokong, Tanjung Bunga, Batu Ferringhi and Teluk Bahang can be developed to become the latest tourism attraction for Penang.
Pantai Jerejak assemblyman Sim Tze Tzin, who said this shoreline was currently under-utilised, has proposed the creation of the Great Penang Trail.

“The aim is to create a 3m-wide lane along a 30km scenic route from Batu Maung right up to Teluk Bahang.
“From Batu Ferringhi, the trail will pass the popular tourist belt and sandy beaches of Tanjung Bungah. In Gurney Drive, there will be famous food and shopping outlets. Trail users will find a different scene in George Town where they can admire colonial heritage buildings and visit century-old jetties.
“Up in Bayan Lepas, the trail will pass Queensbay Mall — the largest shopping complex on the island — before ending in Batu Maung, a small sleepy fishing village famous for its tasty ikan bakar,” he said.
Sim said the trail could be used by cyclists, joggers, trishaw riders, roller skaters, pedestrians and those using Segway personal transporters.
He added that viewing platforms,cafes, gift shops, barbecue areas, food courts and recreational facilities could be constructed at certain parts of the trail.

“We can build mini playgrounds and shopping areas like those at the Santa Monica Pier in Los Angles and Pier 39 in San Francisco. This concept has proven to be a success in many other countries,” he said.

Sim noted that the Great Penang Trail would also create job opportunities for food operators, petty traders, hawkers and those in the hospitality and service industries.
“The cyclists can soak in the view, browse at the shops or grab a quick bite,” he said, urging the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) to conduct a study to determine the cost of designing and constructing the trail.
He said the MPPP could initiate the Great Penang Trail by linking up the existing partial trails like the ones in front of Queensbay Mall and the Jelutong Expressway (JE) pedestrian promenade.

Sim proposed that an open tender be called to design the trail using the California Transportation Design and Standards as a yardstick.
Sim said he drew inspiration for his idea from the San Francisco Bay Trail (SFBT) where he used to cycle.
“To date, the trail is 288 miles long and will eventually connect San Jose in the south to San Francisco and eventually Napa Valley up north,” he said.
Sim said the plan was tabled during the local government meeting in January as well as the recent state assembly sitting in April.
“The MPPP seems keen and I hope it will start working on a master plan.
“I hope to get the support of everyone as it will surely benefit Penang,” he said.

BY The Star
Monday April 27, 2009
Penang cycling event to be extended to the rurals beginning June
GEORGE TOWN: The state government’s monthly cycling event within the city, now into its third edition, will be extended to several villages beginning June.
Expedition leader, Tanjung Bungah assemblyman Teh Yee Cheu, said the event would be extended to villages in Balik Pulau and Bukit Mertajam to give more people a chance to participate.
On tour: The 100 cyclists who participated in the ‘Heritage Experience On Wheels’ expedition yesterday passing by the Penang High Court building.
“Besides promoting heritage sites in George Town through our ‘Heritage Experience on Wheels’ cycling expedition, we also want to showcase the beautiful scenery and padi fields in the villages.
“The theme will be ‘Kampung Rides’,” he said at the third monthly cycling event at Upper Penang Road yesterday.
The drizzle at the start of the event at 8.30am did not deter 100 cyclists from taking part in the two-hour expedition, held every last Sunday of the month.
This time around, the cyclists stopped at seven heritage sites where a tour guide explained the history of the buildings in detail.
The seven sites were E&O Hotel, Convent Light Street, Church Street Pier, Penang Islamic Museum, Goddess of Mercy Temple, St George’s Church and the Hainan Association and Temple.
Teh said the first two events, over a 6km route, attracted a total of 160 cyclists.
“We had planned to extend the route to 14km.
“However, since the trishaw rider who was ferrying the tour guide got tired, we cut short the route to 11km,” he added.

March Heritage Video

By The Star
Monday April 20, 2009
100 cyclists on 20km ride to deliver Earth Day pledge
THE people should practise sustainable consumption of resources as it would help ensure a better tomorrow, said Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.
“This is one of the values which we want to spread among the public, and it goes in line with our aim of making Penang an international city and habitat of choice.
“To do this, we need to practise a sustainable lifestyle and reduce our carbon footprint. By practising the 3R’s — reduce, reuse and recycle, we’re doing our part to help the environment,” he said.
Cyclists on a mission: Lim flagging off the cyclists from his official residence, Seri Teratai, on Macalister Road.
Lim said this after waving off almost 100 cyclists carrying an Earth Day declaration — a pledge to care for the environment — to Sunshine Square in Bayan Baru from his official residence, Seri Teratai, on Macalister Road yesterday.
Held in conjunction with the Earth Day Carnival 2009, the 20km ride was aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle and a love for the environment.
Tanjung Bungah assemblyman Teh Yee Cheu, who was also the organising co-chairman, said that if more people opted for bicycles as their transportation of choice especially in congested urban areas, it would greatly cut down the number of cars on the road and reduce carbon dioxide emissions, although it might take some time to change their mindsets.
“To celebrate Earth Day, we wanted to send a green message and raise public awareness, and we’re glad that Penangites have thus far been very supportive of such efforts.
“Not only is cycling a very healthy activity, it is economical too,” he said.
Teh added that the local government was also considering plans to designate special bicycle lanes on existing roads or construct dedicated bicycle paths in its efforts to promote cycling among the public.
The cyclists, mostly clad in green T-shirts, were in jovial mood as they gathered at Seri Teratai on a lazy Sunday morning.
Among them was Sim Lai Seng, who took part in the campaign as he believed in preserving the environment.
“The most important message to get across is — don’t destroy the Earth.
“We should keep it green, for the sake of future generations,” he said.
Avid cyclist Cheng Kim Heng enjoys the exercise, and every morning without fail, he would cycle from his home in Kampung Baru to town to meet up with friends.
The 20km route took the cyclists down Jalan Residensi, Jalan Utama, Scotland Road, Jalan Masjid Negeri, Green Lane, Jalan Gelugor, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah and on to Sunshine Square where they delivered the declaration to the organiser of the World Earth Day 2009 celebration held at the supermarket.