Tourists can ride pass more than 25 attractions around Perak

Tourists can now cycle in guided tours around Ipoh to take in the city’s amazing sights and sounds.

Kelab Roadrunners Ipoh (KRI), in co-operation with Tourism Malaysia, has launched the “Perak Bike Ride” cycling packages that will take tourists to more than 25 attractions including the Ipoh Railway Station, Bougainvillea Park and Birch Memorial Clock Tower. KRI president Chong Him Shoong said many tourists preferred bicycles to cars as they could ride and park anywhere.

Coming this way: Chuah (centre) leading participants of the ‘Ipoh Heritage Cycling Trail’ as it passes through the city.

“It also puts them closer to nature, which means they get to see and experience more. “We already have confirmed bookings by a group of tourists from Sarawak who will be coming to Ipoh this month,” adding that similar bicycle tours were already being offered in the Klang Valley and Georgetown. The packages, with rides ranging from two to three hours, costs between RM60 to RM80 per person.

Ending the trail: Participants reaching the finishing line at Taman D.R. Seenivasagam.

“A total of 11 packages will be offered by seven participating tour agencies while KRI will provide the bicycles,” Chong added. The cycling packages were launched during an ‘Ipoh Heritage Cycling Trail’, which was flagged off by Datuk Bandar Datuk Roshidi Hashim and state Tourism Malaysia director Norshamshida Abdul Rahman. Starting at the Ipoh Railway Station, some 200 cyclists of all ages visited Little India and Ipoh Padang before finishing at the D.R. Seenivasagam Park in a ride lasting 60 minutes.

Sign of encouragement: (From left) Cyclists Abdul Rahman Ameran, 57, Mohd Hasham Redzuan, 32, Fadzil Nordin, 34, Iskandar Abdul Rahman, 32 and Zainudin Yaakob, 34, giving the thumbs up.

Also present was Tourism Malaysia deputy director-general Azizan Noordin who said a total of 10,000 pamphlets would be distributed to all 22 Tourism Malaysia branches nationwide to promote the cycling packages. “We will also market the product in Singapore and in upcoming tourism exhibitions,” he said.

Among the cyclists was Chuah Yew Lay, who had lost his right leg from knee down due to a road accident 23 years ago. Chuah is confident the bicycle tours will help promote Ipoh further as a tourist haven.

Adjustments: Chuah fixing his shoe at the end of the trail.

“Ipoh is well known for its food but there are actually so many things to see,” said the 53-year-old, whose leg is fitted with a prosthesis made of titanium. The ride was also an eye-opener for youngster Lester Tan, 17, an enthusiast cyclist. “I usually ride up hills but this is the first time I’ve cycled through heritage spots in the city,” said the SMJK Yuk Choy student, who cycled from Ipoh Garden East at 6am to make it for the event.

A map to follow: Youngster Lester Tan, 17, showing a brochure promoting the ‘Perak Bike Ride’ cycling packages. It also contains a route map.

-thestar online.