A PENANG and George Town cycling map is being put together to help cyclists navigate cycling paths in the state.

G Club Penang Cyclists chairman Datuk Dr Lim Seh Guan said the club, Bike on Friday (BoF), and the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) were working together on the map which was nearing completion.

“This map will help tourists and locals navigate safely on cycling paths.

“Right now, if I ask you to cycle from Queensbay Mall to George Town, you might not know the safe cycling route.

“A lot of people do not know of existing cycling paths. With this map, we hope that it will help guide tourists and locals about the cycling paths in Penang,” Dr Lim told a press conference in Komtar on Tuesday.

He also said he hoped to see the development of more cycling lanes and pavements in Penang.

BoF is a community of cyclists that promote cycling to work on Fridays.

On the 9th edition of the Ideal Property Group Campaign For A Lane (CFAL) cycling event this Sunday, Dr Lim said 3,500 people have signed up for event which is themed ‘Enhancing Bicycle Connectivity’.

He said the participants would be flagged off at 7.15am from the Penang City Park (formerly Youth Park) and cycle 82km round Penang island.

The journey, which is expected to take five hours, will take the cyclists from City Park to Gurney Drive and George Town. They will then head to Bayan Baru, Teluk Kumbar, Balik Pulau and Batu Ferringhi before ending the trip back at City Park.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who was present, said the state government had created the Bike Lane Master Plan in 2011 which covers 179km in Penang island.