GEORGE TOWN, Dec 10 — Looking to address its traffic congestion, the Penang Island Municipal Council has begun soliciting proposals from companies for a bicycle-sharing system here.

Local government and traffic management committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said the request for proposals (RFP) will invite companies to make submissions based on two alternatives to the proposed bicycle-sharing system.

“The first alternative is to base the proposal on the council’s conceptual idea for the system or the second alternative of submitting their own proposal for the system,” he said in a press conference at Town Hall earlier today.

The proposed bicycle-sharing system is part of the state’s efforts to turn the state into a Bicycle State and is proposed for the Heritage zone of George Town for now.

The system is a bicycle rental system where bicycles are placed at kiosks around George Town and cyclists can rent a ride from these self-service kiosks.

“This system is to provide an alternative mode of transport that is environmentally friendly and healthy for those travelling around George Town,” Chow said.

The whole system will include the setting up of bicycle racks, kiosks, stations and a network of automatic bicycle renting system only for the heritage zone.

There are 24 proposed bicycle stations located throughout George Town.

It is similar to systems that were successfully implemented in Europe, US, China and Japan.

Chow said companies interested to bid for the project will need to attend a compulsory briefing on the system at Bilik Perdana at Komtar on January 6.

Bidders will need to register their interest through ep.penang.gov.my to participate in the tender exercise and to download the RFP documents with a payment of RM50.

The closing date for submissions is noon on April 5.