Earth Hour mass bike ride

0

Cyclists flagged off at 8.30pm on Saturday.

KOTA KINABALU: More than 300 cyclists from all over Kota Kinabalu took part in a mass bicycle ride for Earth Hour to spread the message of a sustainable and eco conscious lifestyle. 

Riders as young as three years old and as old as 66 years old joined this fun ride for a good cause, which is fast becoming the most popular mass bike rally in the city.

Cyclists started gathering more than an hour before at Hyatt Regency Kinabalu’s Shenanigan’s Terrace, and were given a safety briefing by the organizing committee.

The 16km ride which was flagged off at 8.30pm and guided by safety marshals, was the second of the kind organized by the hotel under its Corporate Social Responsibility programme, Hyatt Thrive and Kota Kinabalu Cycling Association in conjunction with the global movement Earth Hour.

Cyclists travelled along the scenic Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, also known as Tanjung Lipat, all the way past Menara Tun Fuad Stephens and towards the Kingfisher roundabout where they turned back and headed back to the starting point.

The mass bicycle ride was part of the five-star hotel’s exercise to support Earth Hour’s message of environmental awareness. The hotel also dimmed its non-essential lights and exterior signages during the one-hour period.

Last year, 180 cyclists showed up for the event which was flagged off by the then Minister of Resource Development and Information Technology, Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai.

“Hyatt has always been a keen supporter of environmental efforts and implement green practices where possible. For instance, the lights we use on the property are energy-saving, and we have many operational practices in place to use energy as efficiently as possible.

“We recycle our electronics, paper and plastic waste and regularly and actively seek out ways to reduce energy usage during operation hours.

“We also have weekly bicycle rides to reduce carbon emissions and promote a healthy lifestyle,” said general manager Arifin Darmawan.

Refreshments of juices and light food were provided to cyclists after the hour-long ride.

Hyatt hotels around the world have participated in this Earth Hour initiative since its inception in 2007 – from turning off non-essential lights to inviting guests to participate in the celebration.

Hyatt Regency Kinabalu will continue supporting environmental awareness.  The Green Team will seek other opportunities to support sustainable practices and working to protect the environment for future generations.