MALACCA: With the hope that their peers in other states will look into the fate of 'mosquito bike' riders, six former Malacca cyclists today kicked off the first technical session of the 'Podium Kids Malacca' programme in Bukit Serindit.
From just six young mosquito bike riders who turned up for their first meet on Wednesday, 17 showed up yesterday, with even more expected as word gets around among the mosquito bike scene and children.
Coach Fairoz Izni Abdul Ghani ran the children through a briefing on safety and then a technical test, before a quiz session was held, where the children won prizes based on their knowledge of the history of Malaysian cycling.
"There are more and more children who know about this programme and their parents are calling me to find out what it's all about. We had five other former Malacca cyclists helping out and motivating the boys, while others have pledged support," said Fairoz.
"What is important is for us to stay true to the objective, which is to provide all the boys around Malacca who are going around aimlessly on their bicycles and being a nuisance on the road, some direction.
"Our services are free-of-charge and we will guide them through and continuously advise them on what to do and not to do."
Fairoz said the programme will provide activities weekly to give the mosquito bike boys different experiences weekly, such as riding in a peloton on the road and then racing in short criterium circuits.
"Those who attended now know the importance of safety and why they should not ride dangerously on the road. But we didn't only tell them that, we now provide them the platform to come and aim for and put all their energy into," said Fairoz.
"If they want to race, we will organise races for them. They can come with their own bicycles and race in a controlled environment.
"They can spend all their energy here, use the skills they've learned and gain recognition among their peers by performing in something that has meaning, not just on the open roads where the public will have a negative impression of them and of cycling."
Former Malacca cyclists Muhammad Aiman Nor Affendi, Loi Wen Chong, Tay Jin Yang, Michael Goh Seng Chye, and Lee Tiong Kiat, were on hand to motivate the mosquito bike riders.
"We even have ex-cyclists pledging to contribute safety gear such as helmets and other equipment, so we can run this programme at a very low cost and make it sustainable to be run weekly," said Fairoz.
"I really hope those in other states who do not have programmes for mosquito bike riders can look at this seriously. There is no use in looking at what wrong they have done or what trouble they have caused. We should look at how we can turn what they do passionately into something that can be of benefit to the country."
Mohd Nabil Ikram Husaini, 10, was the youngest of the lot, but was the most excited about being involved in the programme.
"I was looking forward to this all day yesterday, as I was always interested in becoming a cyclist. Now I have the chance to learn how to do it and how to race properly. It is really exciting," said Nabil.