Published: 10 October 2015
Mayor of Ipoh Datuk Zamri Man said this car-free day would be to test the water and gauge popularity, with a view to hosting regular days in future. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, October 10, 2015.
Ipoh will host its first car-free day, encouraging drivers to travel in a more environmentally friendly fashion, on October 18.
For three hours, from 7am to 10am, an area including Jalan Raja Di-Hilir, the roundabout in front of the menteri besar’s residence to the Sultan Abdul Aziz roundabout and sideroads, Jalan Golf Kelab, Jalan Caldwell, and Sultan Abdul Aziz Recreation Park will be closed to motorised transport.
According to Ipoh City Council (MBI), the car-free day is just “a trial run” to test how popular it will be with residents.
Mayor Datuk Zamri Man said, after a recent council full board meeting, that certain routes would be designated vehicle-free for three hours on a specific date, if the residents supported the move.
“We are looking to gain support from residents in the chosen areas before finalising. Currently, we are engaging local community leaders and have so far received a positive response.
“The aim is to encourage people to walk, jog or cycle,” he said.
“We plan to have car-free days only on Sundays.”
He said the plan was to start with a monthly event and later increase this to once a fortnight.
Zamri said MBI would be approaching the residents for feedback, but those who the council could not get in contact with could submit their views at the MBI office.
The World Car-Free Day was on September 22. According to the Washington Post, the event “promotes improvement of mass transit, cycling and walking, and the development of communities where jobs are closer to home and where shopping is within walking distance.”
The first car-free days were organised in Reykjavik, Iceland, in Bath, UK, and in La Rochelle, France. – October 10, 2015.
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