| Aziz Idris |
PEOPLE from all walks of life descended on Bandar Seri Begawan early yesterday morning, to enjoy the city’s beauty on the first car-free Sunday of the ‘Bandarku Ceria’ (My Happy City) initiative.
The Bulletin was on hand to observe the situation along one of the city’s main avenues, where adults and children dressed in sportswear rode past on bikes, in the early morning sunshine.
Mohd Iskandar bin Haji Yussof, who works at the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex, said that if the Brunei Government was serious about managing the city’s traffic flow and reducing the country’s carbon footprint, then it must first provide safe, comfortable and reliable public transportation by increasing the frequency of buses operating within the city.
Citing examples from Singapore and Jakarta, Mohd Iskandar said that public transportation was easily available for those living in suburban areas in order to commute to the city centres.
“Such initiatives should be held throughout all four districts, providing public transport to reach the designated car-free weekend events,” he said, adding, “This will help to lower carbon emissions and prevent the public from parking illegally at roadsides.”
Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman, Minister of Education, riding a bike during the first car-free Sunday in the capital
Exhibition tents with Omar ’Ali Saifuddien Mosque at the background.
Nur Syakira binti Haji Mohd Alias, meanwhile, welcomed ‘Bandarku Ceria’ initiative as a step forward towards a ‘car-lite’ Brunei, and lauded the government’s efforts in making Bandar an ‘urban park’ for recreational activities.
“In a way, this project is reclaiming the roads and making them ideal for cycling, jogging, and walking, while making our city a more people-friendly and enjoyable place,” she told the Bulletin.
Vendors outside Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien.
Passers-by looking at the posters.
A family riding a three-seater tandem bike. – PHOTOS: BAHYIAH BAKIR
Haji Sabli bin Omar, who is an avid cyclist, shared the same sentiments. “Car-free initiatives would open up our streets so that more Bruneians could enjoy the spaces where they live, work, play, and also pedal around without any fear,” he said.
However, he was quick to point out that a car-free Sunday would not reduce the actual dangers faced by cyclists and pedestrians. “The municipal board needs long-term investment in cycling infrastructure to make our streets safe for people of all ages and abilities who travel by bike and on foot,” he explained.
At the same time, various stalls were set up along the main boulevards by the event organisers and local vendors, peddling street fashion, village produce, artwork and many more.
The post Public enjoys first ‘car-free’ Sunday in capital appeared first on Borneo Bulletin Online.