Wednesday, May 27, 2009


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.

Friday, May 22, 2009




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.

Friday, May 01, 2009

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.