Sunday is ‘Car Free Day’ in part of George Town from Dec 11

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FROM Dec 11 onwards, the area around Beach Street in George Town will be off limits to motor vehicles every Sunday from 7am to 5pm in conjunction with ‘Car Free Day’.

The programme will see Beach Street, Church Street Ghaut, Church Street and part of Bishop Street — that add up to a total of 835m — being cordoned off every Sunday.

Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) president Patahiyah Ismail said the designated area was very small.

“This is just the beginning of our initiative. If the response and feedback from the public is encouraging, we will definitely expand the ‘Car Free Day’ to other areas,” she said.

Power to pedestrians: Patahiyah and the committee members of the 'Car Free Day' showing a map of the car-free zone and designs of the T-shirtto be given to those who register to attend the Dec 11 gathering

She said that to ensure no motor vehicles enter the area during the allotted time, enforcement officers would be placed at the entry point of each road: “Only pedestrians, trishaws and bicycles will be allowed into the area.”

G Club Penang Cyclist vice-chairman Robert Lee Cheong Jin said there would be a gathering to celebrate the launching of the ‘Car Free Day’ programme at Beach Street at 7.30am on Dec 11.

“On that day, you do not have to worry about being knocked down by a car,” he quipped.

Registration for the event is open from tomorrow through the club’s website at www.gclub.com.my for free.

Two thousand T-shirts will be given out to those who register early.