Bike Friendly City Project Phase II

Now you can see more and more people are doing cycling especially over the weekend. At least that's what I do noticed :)

The project to make Penang a safer place for cyclists has entered the second phase.

The first phase which involved the putting up of signboards and drawing of bicycle emblems from Gurney Drive to Teluk Bahang and the George Town heritage enclave was completed almost two months ago.

G Club Penang Cyclist chairman Dr Lim Seh Guan, who initiated the road safety project, said the team was now looking for sponsors to carry out Phase Two which covers the stretch from Teluk Bahang to Balik Pulau. The phase is expected to cost RM70,000.

“Phases Three and Four will cover Balik Pulau to Queenbay Mall and Queensbay to Gurney Drive,” he said when contacted recently.

He said the project would have to be done in stages due to lack of funds.

“The state helps by organising cycling events to raise funds for the project but we rely mainly on corporate sponsors,” he said.

Citing Phase One as a success in raising awareness among other road users of the rights of cyclists, he said eventually the state should have dedicated bicycle lanes covering the entire island.

“To create bicycle lanes would require widening and tarring of roads — it will be a long and expensive process.

“That is our goal eventually. For now, we are focusing on creating awareness among all motorists so that they will learn to share the road with cyclists,” he said.

For details, visit http://www.pbb.com.my/.

The Star