Abdul Wahap (sixth left) together with Roslan (fifth left), Lau (fifth right) Tham (sixth right), Aminhizam (third left), marshals, sponsors and other officials give the thumb-ups to show their support for the event.
KUCHING: More and more people in the city are taking up cycling as a rigorous health regime which also helps to reduce carbon emission into the air.
DBKU Datuk Bandar Datuk Abang Abdul Wahap Abang Julai said studies had shown there was an increase in obesity among Malaysians and cycling was one way the people could get themselves fit and stay in shape.
He said the city council had been encouraging the people to take up cycling as a healthy hobby because bicycles did not emit carbon dioxide into the air and to ensure that the city would stay clean and beautiful.
He told a press conference this after officiating at the launching of ‘Cycle For Health’ at Riverside Majestic Hotel here yesterday.
Abdul Wahap said the people were encouraged to cycle not only for leisure but use it as mode of transport to get to places and even to work.
“This is good for the environment and also for the city folk,” he said.
He also said the council encouraged students to cycle to schools not only that it was a healthy thing to do but also to learn about the importance of saving the environment.
On the ‘Cycle For Health’ event to be held on April 19, Wahap said it was a health programme to get city folk to involve themselves in healthy living and lifestyle.
Kuching District police chief ACP Roslan Bek Ahmad also spoke at the function. He said they would have no problem managing the crowd on the day of the cycling event.
“We will also send several police personnel to take part in this healthy event and together they will ride with other cyclists.”
A spokesman of the event who is also manager of Riverside Majestic Hotel, Patrick Lau, said this would be the fifth time they were organising the community project.
The 300 or so participants will cycle for 28km starting and ending at Kuching Waterfront Esplanade.
Kuching District traffic police chief DSP Amihizam Abdul Syukor and Riverside Majestic Hotel Room manager Kenny Tham were also present at the press conference.