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(The 2 articles below are courtesy of SJ ECHO)
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EXCLUSIVE: Cycling Routes in Back Lanes Pondered |
THE back lanes of SS14 and SS18 in Subang Jaya are being eyed by cycling enthusiasts in the neighbourhood as the next best option to enjoy some track for recreation and activities.
Faced with heavy traffic on the main roads and the lack of space for cycling in existing open spaces in the neighbourhood, folding bike cyclist S.T. Teoh who proposed the idea of utilising the back lanes for recreation said each housing area could provide a minimum of 6km per loop if planned out properly.
“The back lanes of SS14 and SS18 can provide a cycling loop of 6km each. All we need is to map out the loop, mark it and clean it up for use.”
“Back lanes are under-utilised and this is one way for us to use it fruitfully for recreation without incurring too much cost to get it done properly,” he said to SJ Echo.
Teoh said the two loops (SS14 and SS18) could be “connected” to provide the distance and “adventure” cyclists needed for their activities.
“The two housing areas are connected near the Kesas Highway wall (between SS14/8G-Persiaran Jengka-SS18/1A) and this provides the link between the two areas for a longer distance ride.”
“Families with young children can also come out and cycle together in their neighbourhood. There are slopes along several stretches of SS18 and this will be interesting for many cyclists.”
“Some of the back lanes in SS18 are wide enough to have 4 persons cycling alongside one another. This is the opportunity to bring cycling to everyone’s doorstep,” Teoh added.
He said where cyclists crossed between rows of houses, the local authority could assist by putting up “Bicycle Crossing” signboards to sensitise motorists to the presence of cyclists in the neighbourhood.
In May, Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim had announced that the State was in the process of identifying bicycle parks in new housing schemes within the Subang Jaya municipality.
Khalid had said Subang Jaya was an ideal place to consider introducing and promoting cycling within the municipality as a means of transportation in the near future.
He had said it was timely to discuss the possibility of having cycling lanes on the roads but it would not be easy to achieve as the roads were never planned to accommodate cyclists.
Teoh said the presence of cyclists in groups could also provide omnipresence in the back lanes and help keep crime at bay, just as they cycled by.
“Residents can identify cycling groups easily because they are normally attired in cycling wear with helmets and they normally cycle together,” he added.
Heavy Tools Cycling Club (HTTC) president Allan Lee who leads a group of 30 cyclists from the neighbourhood was all excited when the proposal was shared with him and several of his members in SS14.
“The idea is very good. If we have this, it will be safer for cyclists and more people will come out to exercise,” he said.
Allan who is a former national bowler said “Cycling helps repair the back of my body and reduces knee aches. Every time I cycle, I manage to ease the pain on my body.”
“I encourage senior citizens to cycle because this is one of the healthiest sports,” said the 71-year-old cyclist.
HTTC member Victor Choo said “I have been staying in Subang Jaya for the past 20 years and I noticed that back lanes are neglected. Some of the back lanes are too dirty but the roads are okay and can be better.”
“With this plan, it will make the community become closer and back lanes will be cleaner. This will make people live healthier and at the same time, it will create a healthy family.” Victor said.
Jeffrey Khoo who cycles in the Subang Jaya and USJ neighbourhood said the proposal was worth considering.
“It’s a good idea as space is lacking for us to cycle on. Subang Jaya has no real tracks. The back lane is a very good option.”
He said the back lanes could be used by anyone who wanted to cycle without having to be too worried about the traffic around them.
USJ resident Ewe Kim Chew who cycles with his family said cycling in the back lanes would be safer for everyone.
“Many can bring their children cycling and spend quality time together while exercising,” he said.
His 11-year-old son, Jacky Ewe Loong Hwa said having a place to cycle in the neighbourhood will allow him to indulge in the activity with his friends.
“The back lanes are safe enough to cycle in even in the night. All they need to do is clean it up a little bit,” he said.
“The back lanes of SS14 and SS18 can provide a cycling loop of 6km each. All we need is to map out the loop, mark it and clean it up for use.”
“Back lanes are under-utilised and this is one way for us to use it fruitfully for recreation without incurring too much cost to get it done properly,” he said to SJ Echo.
Teoh said the two loops (SS14 and SS18) could be “connected” to provide the distance and “adventure” cyclists needed for their activities.
“The two housing areas are connected near the Kesas Highway wall (between SS14/8G-Persiaran Jengka-SS18/1A) and this provides the link between the two areas for a longer distance ride.”
“Families with young children can also come out and cycle together in their neighbourhood. There are slopes along several stretches of SS18 and this will be interesting for many cyclists.”
“Some of the back lanes in SS18 are wide enough to have 4 persons cycling alongside one another. This is the opportunity to bring cycling to everyone’s doorstep,” Teoh added.
He said where cyclists crossed between rows of houses, the local authority could assist by putting up “Bicycle Crossing” signboards to sensitise motorists to the presence of cyclists in the neighbourhood.
In May, Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim had announced that the State was in the process of identifying bicycle parks in new housing schemes within the Subang Jaya municipality.
Khalid had said Subang Jaya was an ideal place to consider introducing and promoting cycling within the municipality as a means of transportation in the near future.
He had said it was timely to discuss the possibility of having cycling lanes on the roads but it would not be easy to achieve as the roads were never planned to accommodate cyclists.
Teoh said the presence of cyclists in groups could also provide omnipresence in the back lanes and help keep crime at bay, just as they cycled by.
“Residents can identify cycling groups easily because they are normally attired in cycling wear with helmets and they normally cycle together,” he added.
Heavy Tools Cycling Club (HTTC) president Allan Lee who leads a group of 30 cyclists from the neighbourhood was all excited when the proposal was shared with him and several of his members in SS14.
“The idea is very good. If we have this, it will be safer for cyclists and more people will come out to exercise,” he said.
Allan who is a former national bowler said “Cycling helps repair the back of my body and reduces knee aches. Every time I cycle, I manage to ease the pain on my body.”
“I encourage senior citizens to cycle because this is one of the healthiest sports,” said the 71-year-old cyclist.
HTTC member Victor Choo said “I have been staying in Subang Jaya for the past 20 years and I noticed that back lanes are neglected. Some of the back lanes are too dirty but the roads are okay and can be better.”
“With this plan, it will make the community become closer and back lanes will be cleaner. This will make people live healthier and at the same time, it will create a healthy family.” Victor said.
Jeffrey Khoo who cycles in the Subang Jaya and USJ neighbourhood said the proposal was worth considering.
“It’s a good idea as space is lacking for us to cycle on. Subang Jaya has no real tracks. The back lane is a very good option.”
He said the back lanes could be used by anyone who wanted to cycle without having to be too worried about the traffic around them.
USJ resident Ewe Kim Chew who cycles with his family said cycling in the back lanes would be safer for everyone.
“Many can bring their children cycling and spend quality time together while exercising,” he said.
His 11-year-old son, Jacky Ewe Loong Hwa said having a place to cycle in the neighbourhood will allow him to indulge in the activity with his friends.
“The back lanes are safe enough to cycle in even in the night. All they need to do is clean it up a little bit,” he said.
MPSJ and Police Support Cycling Proposal | |
| by Shazwani Che Rahim | |
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2 comments:
Sounds good! However safety is a must. I worry that back lanes are not visible hence will be a haven for criminals. I wonder can't we restructure our roads to accommodate sidewalks similar to what Singapore has.
people in my house in usj12 have just started taking up cycling, we have 4 bikes at home. after trying to cycle to usj11 and taipan, we found that it's just too dangerous to cycle in usj so we put our folding bikes into the car and tried to find a safe place to cycle. sadly, there really isn't many safe options out there where we won't be worried about theft, speeding vehicles.
this morning we realised that persiaran tujuan had just been tarred overnight and there was no lines drawn for lanes yet. we were thinking about to suggest drawing an additional bicycle lane or just leave some space for an emergency lane so that other road users can have some space on the road.
this idea of utilising blacklane is very good. hopefully it can be extended, ie. a good bicycle track to link up/along the main road, so that we can cycle all the way from usj to sj KTM station etc. so that cycling to work to pj is feasible.
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