GEORGE TOWN, Nov 25 — With the increase of vehicles on the island, Penangites are pondering over the status of dedicated bicycle lanes proposed by the state government.

Cyclists claim the state government is falling behind its own target, first proposed in 2011, for bicycle lanes.

Checks by The Malay Mail show there is no dedicated bicycle lane on the island except for the 1.2km stretch of road in Tanjung Bungah.

It comes as no surprise that college student Shirlyn Lau was forced by her parents to ditch her bicycle after she was knocked down by a motorcyclist in Jalan Kelawei.

“My mum forbids me from cycling again until the state government builds a bicycle lane for cyclists,” said Lau, 19.

Teluk Bahang assemblyman Datuk Shah Headan Ayoob Hussain Shah urged the state government to immediately set up the special lanes.

“We see many cyclists pedalling around town in groups and they face the risk of being knocked down by fast-moving vehicles,” said Shah Headan. “The cyclists, at times, are deemed an obstruction to traffic.”

He said if the Pakatan Rakyat-led state planned to turn Penang into a cycling hub, the bicycle lanes should not just be built on a road-sharing concept.

“It would be better to widen the roads and demarcate them for cyclists,” suggested Shah Headan who is an avid cyclist.

Cycling is fun without having to share the road with other vehicles. — Picture by The Malay Mail
Cycling is fun without having to share the road with other vehicles. — Picture by The Malay Mail

Penang Gerakan secretary Oh Tong Keong said it was only right to provide adequate facilities based on the surge of cyclists.

“They have been talking about it for so long but nothing seems to have come out of it,” said Oh.

Avid cyclist Adli Abdul Rahman, 28, said the state government’s initiative would be timely as cycling is a popular hobby among Penangites.

“I am all for dedicated bicycle lanes. It will encourage more people to ride,” said Adli, a postgraduate student.

Tanjung Bungah assemblyman Teh Yee Cheu went to the extent of mooting the possibility of “bicycle tourism”.

“We have a big cycling community here and it has grown even bigger over the years.”

“Maybe some time in the future, we can have tourists on bicycles exploring the scenic view of Penang and its heritage enclave,” said Teh.