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