Cycle lanes mooted for mainland

BICYCLE lanes on state and town roads in Seberang Prai would first cover a 5.71km road stretch on the Butterworth Outer Ring Road (BORR).

Seberang Prai Municipal Council (MPSP) president Maimunah Mohd Sharif said this would be followed by bicycle lanes on a 1.85km stretch of road on Jalan Datuk Ahmad Said and on a 1.86km stretch on Jalan Bagan Luar in Butterworth.

She said of the total 140km stretch of town and state roads that would have the bicycle lanes in the mainland, 30km would cover roads in north Seberang Prai, 90km in central Seberang Prai and 20km in south Seberang Prai. 

“The public can give their feedback and suggestions on our bicycle lane proposal to our secretariat or via the three district offices on the mainland before Jan 31.

“We will also hold an exhibition at our office next month, after which we will analyse the suggestions before carrying out the proposal by March,” she said after a meeting by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng with heads of department at the MPSP headquarters in Bandar Perda yesterday.

Pedal power: A map showing the proposed bicycle lanes in Seberang Prai, Penang

Lim said some parts of the particular road stretches would have dedicated lanes, while some narrow stretches would be shared lanes with other motorists.

“We want Penang to be the first state to promote cycling as a healthy activity as well as to re-duce our high dependency on motorised vehicles,” he said after chairing the meeting.

Lim also suggested that the proposed bicycle lanes, which would be created by the council, be extended by an additional 60km to cover Sungai Petani from Penaga in Kepala Batas and Kulim via Machang Bubok, in Bukit Mertajam.

He said some stretches of the proposed bicycles lanes meandered through picturesque and scenic views of the sea, rivers, hills and an island — Pulau Aman — which would have its own bicycle trek.

He said while cyclists were advised to look after their safety when using the bicycle lanes, other motorists must give priority to them.

For details on the proposed bicycle lane stretches, visit the council’s website at www.mpsp.gov.my. - The Star