City Hall plans bicycle lanes

KUALA LUMPUR: City Hall is planning to build bicycle lanes to encourage a healthy lifestyle and in its pursuit of a green city.

Mayor Datuk Seri Ahmad Phesal Talib said they were looking into the possibility of using Tenaga Nasional Bhd’s (TNB) reserve land for the purpose.

He, however, said the project was still in the planning stages.

“We have to get permission from TNB and discuss the routes,” he said at the World Car Free Day event yesterday.

As a pioneer project towards becoming an eco-friendly city, City Hall is making every Sunday a “Car Free Day” around the Golden Triangle area.

From 6am to noon, Jalan Ampang, Jalan Bukit Nanas, Jalan Raja Chulan and Jalan Sultan Ismail will be closed to all motor vehicles.

Activities like walking, running and cycling will be held in conjunction with the campaign, which is jointly organised by City Hall and the National Cycling Federation.

Environmental advocates have welcomed the move. “This is a great move to reduce carbon emissions,” said Effie Rizal, 37, who car-pools to work with his colleagues.

The project manager said he would take public transport whenever possible and what he was doing would set a good example for his children and help in the fight against global warming.

Winnie Thor, 47, said building more infrastructure for the safety of cyclists would encourage more people to use bicycles as a mode of transportation.

Currently, she said, cyclists used the motorcycle lanes, which are usually filled with heavy traffic.