ROUTED:An ardent cyclist is driven to bring the sport to “everyone’s doorstep” while making it safer for all by converting the SS14 and SS18 back lanes into cycling loops
WITH the roads and even recreational and open spaces unfriendly to bicyclists, fans of the sport are turning to the back lanes of SS14 and SS18 in Subang Jaya as the way out of their dilemma of having nowhere to ride safely.
Folding bike cyclist S.T. Teoh has proposed using the back lanes for recreation. He said each housing area could provide a minimum of 6km per loop if properly planned out.
"The back lanes of SS14 and SS18 can provide a cycling loop of 6km each. All we need to do is to map out the loop, mark it and clean it up."
"Back lanes are under-utilised and this is one way to make optimal use of them without incurring too much cost," he said.
Teoh said the two loops in SS14 and SS18 could be "connected" to provide the distance and "adventure" that cyclists craved.
"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 children can also cycle together in their neighbourhood. There are slopes on several stretches of SS18, which will be interesting for many cyclists.
"Some of the back lanes in SS18 are wide enough for four to cycle alongside one another.
"This will literally bring the sport to everyone's doorstep," Teoh said.
He said the local authority could assist by putting up "Bicycle Crossing" signs to alert motorists of the presence of cyclists in the neighbourhoods.
In May, 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 cycling would br introduced and promoted in the municipality as a means of transport in the near future.
He also spoke about the possibility of having bicycle lanes on the roads but said that would not be easy to achieve as the roads were not planned to accommodate cyclists.
Teoh said the presence of cyclists in groups in the back lanes could help deter crime.
"Residents can easily identify cyclists by their cycling gear and helmets. They also usually cycle together," he added.
Heavy Tools Cycling Club president Allan Lee, who leads a group of 30 cyclists in the neighbourhood, was excited by Teoh's idea.
"The idea is very good. If we can implement it, it will be safer for cyclists and more people will come out to exercise," he said.
Lee, who is a former national bowler, said: "Cycling exercises the back and legs, which has helped to reduce my backaches and knee pains.
"I encourage senior citizens to cycle because it is one of the healthiest sports," said the 71-year-old.
Club member Victor Choo, who have lived in Subang Jaya for 20 years, said: "This plan will bring the community closer and make the back lanes cleaner. It will also make the residents and their families live healthily."
Jeffrey Khoo, who cycles in the Subang Jaya and USJ neighbourhoods, is all for the proposal.
"We lack space to cycle. 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 worry about traffic.
USJ resident Ewe Kim Chew, who cycles with his family, said the back lanes would be safer for everyone.
"Children can ride along with their parents and the family can spend quality time together," he said.
His son Jacky Ewe Loong Hwa, 11, said he and his friends would have a place to indulge in the sport if the idea was implemented.
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