PJ Mall holds 'safe cycling' programme
New Straits Times Wednesday, June 11,

To create road safety awareness among schoolchildren, a Cycle Safely programme was recently launched at The Atria Shopping Complex in Damansara Jaya, Petaling Jaya.

The event was officiated by Petaling Jaya Utara MP Chew Mei Fun.

Besides trying to inculcate road safety awareness among schoolchildren, the programme is also aimed at teaching them correct cycling skills and to be defensive road users.

HERE WE GO : Chew (centre) surrounded by Rumah Destiny children during the launch of the programme.

"The country's rapid development. coupled with bad road conditions and traffic congestion, has made it unsuitable for people, let alone children, to cycle around.

"Due to these conditions cost thousands of lives each year and accidents involving cyclists rank third after motorcycle and car accidents in Malaysia.

"In , there were 244 fatalities involving cyclists and last year, the figure rose to 288. Therefore, there is an urgent need to address this problem and we hope that parents will also play a major part in educating their children on road safety," said Chew.

During the event, organised by Atria Properties Sdn Bhd with the co-operation of the Malaysian Volunteer Fire And Rescue Association and LeRun Industries Sdn Bhd, children were given tips on how to prevent getting involved in road accidents, the common causes of accidents and correct way of cycling by members of the volunteer association.

"Nowadays, you have fewer children cycling to school and the activity is moslty a recreational form of exercise.

"The number of people keen on the sport does not justify the construction of special lanes for cyclists.

"We are pleased with the response to this half-day programme," said Atria Properties complex manager Katherine Puar.

About 20 children from Rumah Destiny in Taman Melawati, Kuala Lumpur, also took part in the event.

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