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Good Morning and Greetings, Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to attend the Media Session for the Penang Fellowship Ride – Bridge to Bridge 2024 event, which will begin shortly. I extend my heartfelt thanks to the government agencies, private sponsors, media partners, and all involved parties for their efforts in making this cycling event a success.
The Penang Fellowship Ride – Bridge to Bridge 2024 is an initiative by the State Government and G Pulau Pinang Cycling Club aimed at fostering unity and promoting health awareness among the community. We invite people from all walks of life to join this cycling activity, which not only promotes physical fitness but also strengthens our social bonds. Through programs like this, we hope to encourage more people to explore our state's beauty while staying active. This event has the potential to inspire our residents to actively participate in various sports, aligning with the goals of the Penang2030 Vision towards becoming a Smart and Green State, a Family-Inspired Nation.
I am proud to announce that the Penang Fellowship Ride – Bridge to Bridge 2024 will take place on July 28, 2024 (Sunday) at the Sungai Nibong Festival Site, Bayan Lepas. The total cycling distance is approximately 68 km, covering the First Penang Bridge and the Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah Bridge, commonly known as the Second Penang Bridge. The event will commence at 7:00 AM and is expected to conclude by 12:30 PM. Official road closures will be managed by the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) and related agencies.
For your information, a total of 2,343 participants have registered to take part in this cycling event, including participants from all over Malaysia and countries such as Singapore, Japan, France, Sweden, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Portugal, Australia, and China. The organization of this program has significantly boosted the state's economy with participants coming from both within and outside Malaysia to Penang. I hope that this cycling event will become an annual fixture and be included in the Penang state sports calendar. I would like to express my deep appreciation and thanks to the G Pulau Pinang Cycling Club and our main sponsor Paramount Property, as well as to the State Financial Department (JKNPP), Penang Island City Council (MBPP), Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP), Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM), Second Penang Bridge Sdn Bhd (JKDB), PDRM, and other related agencies. This event would not be possible without the support and cooperation of all those directly and indirectly involved.
For the media, this program coincides with the 75th birthday celebration of His Excellency Tun Dato’ Seri Utama Ahmad Fuzi Bin Haji Abdul Razak, the Governor of Penang. His Excellency Tun will also participate in the ride. In a previous edition, His Excellency Tun successfully completed the ride, setting a new record by being the first Penang Governor to cycle across both Penang bridges consecutively, earning recognition in the Malaysia Book of Records. His Excellency cycled 66 km in a time of 4:32:18.
The ride will start and finish at the Sungai Nibong Festival Site, passing through the First Penang Bridge, Perai Industrial Road, Juru, Batu Kawan, and circling the Second Penang Bridge. Several roads will be closed in phases to facilitate the smooth running of the event.
Participants will take a rest stop at UOW KDU College, Batu Kawan, after covering approximately 34 km before continuing the ride across the longest bridge in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. The closure of the First Bridge will be from 6:30 AM to 8:30 AM (from Penang to Butterworth), and the Second Bridge will be closed from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM (from Batu Kawan to Penang). All participants are required to wear the provided jerseys during the ride. Participant screening will be conducted to prevent ghost riders. Participants are advised to prepare adequately as the ride is mentally and physically demanding, especially when facing strong headwinds on both bridges.
In addition to the main event, a lucky draw session will be held during the closing ceremony at the Sungai Nibong Festival Site. So far, we have received three high-quality bicycles sponsored by SLM, the authorized distributor of Trek bicycles, as the grand prizes for the lucky draw. I also wish to express my gratitude to Paramount Property, the main sponsor of the Penang Fellowship Ride – Bridge to Bridge 2024.
Before concluding this media session, I once again extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in making this great event possible. To all participants, see you on July 28, 2024. I would like to remind everyone that the Penang Fellowship Ride is a recreational cycling event, and I hope all participants will enjoy the ride while prioritizing safety.
Thank you. |
