By Mohd Zahid Ahmad Zaki
KUCHING: Car free mornings are beginning to grow on people in the city given the continued success of the programme organised by the North Kuching City Hall (DBKU).
The fifth edition of the 6am-10am event which was introduced in February drew an equally encouraging response from the public today.
People have been drawn to the idea of cycling, jogging and roller skating among others without having to worry about traffic on the road.
Even parents brought small children on baby strollers for walks, finishing one or more laps at the Padang Merdeka roundabout here.
Besides encouraging a healthy lifestyle, the programme also aims to reduce the emission of exhaust smoke into the air from vehicles, if only for a few hours.
The programme is held on Sunday in the first week of each month at Padang Merdeka.
Several individuals were interviewed by Suara Sarawak/New Sarawak Tribune about their participation in this programme.
Mohamat Ali, 71, is all for it, saying it can encourage all levels of society to engage in healthy activities.
“We need to be smart and take care of our health. Don’t just eat, you need to do a little bit of exercise. It’s important you do.
“Age is not a barrier for me to be active in leisure activities. In fact, it is an encouragement to be more involved in such activities so that my health is maintained,” he said.
Fadillah Jais, 48, said the programme is very good because it promotes the importance of health, as well as helps maintain environmental sustainability.
No matter how busy people are, they need to take the time to exercise, he said, adding healthy lifestyle practices need to be emphasised in society because many people take their health for granted.
Therefore, he said, this programme should be expanded so that more people are involved.
Atiq Othman, 35, agreed that such programmes should be expanded to allow for more people to participate.
“Apart from maintaining health, this programme can also help in terms of reducing the rate of vehicles on the road, thus reducing smoke emissions from cars, motorcycles and so on.
“I also hope that more activities can be held through this event to attract the attention of the youths, especially to also participate in health programmes like this,” he said.
Meanwhile, Princess Sofea Yusuff, 45, said the programme not only promotes healthy lifestyles and care for the environment but strengthen ties among the community.
Clearly, through the initiative, people can exercise with family and friends, in fact, even meet new friends, she said.
Earlier, DBKU Infrastructure Services Department deputy director Mohamad Faisal Adenan said the programme was aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emissions as well as providing space for the local community to carry out recreational activities.
Therefore, the move to close the road is intended to give way for the local community to carry out activities such as jogging and cycling, without having to worry about cars on the road.
“Besides that, it is also in line with the plan which targets Kuching as the cleanest, most beautiful, safest, smartest and most sustainable city in Malaysia by 2023,” he explained.
