The Star Online: Metro: Central
The Star Online: Metro: Central |
| Bike lane connects small parks to schools in Section 2, 3 and 4 Posted: 04 Jun 2013 04:01 PM PDT CYCLING enthusiasts in Shah Alam will soon be able to get from one park to another on their favoured two-wheeler. The Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) is looking at ways to connect a handful of small parks nestled in housing areas, to schools and the city centre. The aim is to encourage residents to visit the parks, by extension, foster better relationships among the residents in a conducive environment. With cycling gaining in popularity, Shah Alam mayor Datuk Mohd Jaafar Mohd Atan wanted to build bicycle lanes that could be utilised by both children and seasoned cyclists. The first phase of the 10km bicycle lane project is a route constructed around a small green lung, and is connected to neighbourhood parks within Section 4. The fully paved 2km route is equipped with road signs, a map of the park as well as sheltered huts and bicycle racks. Although the track has yet to be officially opened, many young children were spotted riding along the tracks. "We come here every evening to meet up and cycle together. "It is something different and we like it," said Ameer Danial Salla-huddin, 14. His neighbour Haziq Shah Zainal, 11, said it was easier for them to cycle on the dedicated lane as there were no obstacles. "We usually have to look out for each other when we cycle on roads and it is not easy as we all travel at different speeds," said Haziq. The second phase of the project involves an extension of another 4.5km from Section 4 to Section 3 and 2. It will begin from Jalan 4/2 passing by Sekolah Rendah Agama Section 3 in Jalan Seraya 3/12 and Kolej Jati UiTM in Persiaran Piala Muda before continuing on to Jalan Bunga Mawar 2/5 where SMK Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah is located. The route ends at a children's playground in Section 2. Mohd Jaafar said the track would be routed along several educational institutions so students could cycle to school. The final phase will see the completion of the proposed 10km track when the existing routes are linked to Section 5, Section 14, Bukit SUK and the Shah Alam City centre. MBSA Parks and Recreational Department director Mohd Tahir Man said certain points of the bicycle lane would be painted with thermoplast for the safety of cyclists. Interlocking concrete pavers will also be placed at crossings between one park and another. The RM500,000 project is part of the council's Clean Zone effort and will be completed by the end of the year. Shah Alam Bicycle Club sports officer Jaid Idham Idris said his members welcomed the initiative by the council. "A lot of residents here are avid cyclists but there are not many places one can cycle without having to worry about cars," said Jaid, whose club has over 350 members. The club members' main aim, he said, was to promote the sport but safety was a priority. "We hope more will start to utilise the new bicycle lanes," said Jaid. He was pleased with the signage and safety information placed along the track. Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim is scheduled to launch the first phase of the bicycle lane in Section 4 next month. |
| Shah Alam MP urges MBSA to rethink parking rates Posted: 05 Jun 2013 06:58 AM PDT THE Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) should reconsider its decision to increase parking rates in the city as it failed to provide a strong reason for the price hike, said Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad. Recently, MBSA announced that the hourly parking rate would be raised to 60sen, an increase of more than 30% from 40sen previously. "According to the mayor, it is because the rate has not been increased since 1998, while other cities and towns have raised their rates. "But that is not necessarily an acceptable reason," said Khalid. He added it would be more acceptable if MBSA argued that it needed to generate more revenue as the cost of providing services had gone up. "We should be proud that we are able to sustain the old rates and be an example to other cities. "We do not have to follow the rates set by other local councils," he said. Khalid suggested that MBSA review its agreement with parking management concessionaire Suasa Efektif Sdn Bhd. When asked to elaborate on the concession agreement, Khalid said the explanation should come from MBSA. |
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