Have bicycle will travel on Penang island
CYCLING is fast becoming a favourite mode of touring the state capital of Penang.
Tourists, domestic and foreign, as well as local residents have taken up cycling to visit the many tourist attractions around town.
The craze for cycling has also spurred the setting up of many bicycle-for-rent outlets.
Rental rates are also affordable. Depending on the type of bicycle, it is usually between RM10 and RM30 per three or four hours.
The bicycles come in various types like the tandem bike, classic bicycle, city bicycle and mountain bike.
The tandems come with two seats, while the classic types are those considered as vintage two-wheelers and the city types are the regular bicycles.
One enterprising bicycle-for-rent operator is H.A. Malik Al-Habsy.
The 19-year-old started with a modest fleet of five city bicycles three years ago.
Today, Malik has 29 bicycles of various types to suit the needs of his clients.
“I got the idea of starting the bicycle rental service after I found many tourists flocking to the numerous street art spots in town.
“Then, most visitors would walk to these places.
“With a little bit of publicity, many tourists came to rent my bicycles to get around town,” he said.
Malik said tandem bikes were popular, especially among couples.
He has big plans to expand his fleet of bicycles to cater to rising demand from tourists.
Another bicycle-for-rent operator, Khairudin Mustafa, 65, said mountain bikes were popular with clients at his outlet in Lebuh Acheh.
He said these bicycles used for sport are considered more powerful than the regular bicycles, and were much sought-after by foreign tourists.
“Besides visiting the various tourist spots here, these tourists would often cycle all the way to Batu Ferringhi.
“Sometimes, they would leave the bicycles there. That’s why I charge them slightly higher,” he said.
Khairudin, a pensioner, said business had been good, especially on weekends when there were fewer motorists on the road.
Tourist Ada Ingenerf said she preferred cycling to getting around on foot while touring the many tourist spots here.
“I use this mode of transport back home and I am glad that there are many bicycle-rental shops here.
“Cycling is a convenient way to get around. It’s cheap and healthy too,” said the 25-year-old German lass.
Another bicycle enthusiast, Nor Zulaikha Abu Hassan, 19, said she and her friends from Perak enjoyed their urban tour on the non-motorised two-wheelers.
“It is enjoyable and fun getting around town on bicycles.
“However, I wish there were more bicycle lanes for cyclists here,” she said.
Teenagers enjoying the sights and sounds on Lebuh Armenian in the heritage enclave of George Town.
~News courtesy of New Straits Times~
CYCLING is fast becoming a favourite mode of touring the state capital of Penang.
Tourists, domestic and foreign, as well as local residents have taken up cycling to visit the many tourist attractions around town.
The craze for cycling has also spurred the setting up of many bicycle-for-rent outlets.
Rental rates are also affordable. Depending on the type of bicycle, it is usually between RM10 and RM30 per three or four hours.
The bicycles come in various types like the tandem bike, classic bicycle, city bicycle and mountain bike.
The tandems come with two seats, while the classic types are those considered as vintage two-wheelers and the city types are the regular bicycles.
One enterprising bicycle-for-rent operator is H.A. Malik Al-Habsy.
The 19-year-old started with a modest fleet of five city bicycles three years ago.
Today, Malik has 29 bicycles of various types to suit the needs of his clients.
“I got the idea of starting the bicycle rental service after I found many tourists flocking to the numerous street art spots in town.
“Then, most visitors would walk to these places.
“With a little bit of publicity, many tourists came to rent my bicycles to get around town,” he said.
Malik said tandem bikes were popular, especially among couples.
He has big plans to expand his fleet of bicycles to cater to rising demand from tourists.
Another bicycle-for-rent operator, Khairudin Mustafa, 65, said mountain bikes were popular with clients at his outlet in Lebuh Acheh.
He said these bicycles used for sport are considered more powerful than the regular bicycles, and were much sought-after by foreign tourists.
“Besides visiting the various tourist spots here, these tourists would often cycle all the way to Batu Ferringhi.
“Sometimes, they would leave the bicycles there. That’s why I charge them slightly higher,” he said.
Khairudin, a pensioner, said business had been good, especially on weekends when there were fewer motorists on the road.
Tourist Ada Ingenerf said she preferred cycling to getting around on foot while touring the many tourist spots here.
“I use this mode of transport back home and I am glad that there are many bicycle-rental shops here.
“Cycling is a convenient way to get around. It’s cheap and healthy too,” said the 25-year-old German lass.
Another bicycle enthusiast, Nor Zulaikha Abu Hassan, 19, said she and her friends from Perak enjoyed their urban tour on the non-motorised two-wheelers.
“It is enjoyable and fun getting around town on bicycles.
“However, I wish there were more bicycle lanes for cyclists here,” she said.
Teenagers enjoying the sights and sounds on Lebuh Armenian in the heritage enclave of George Town.
~News courtesy of New Straits Times~
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