The planet-friendly programme is being sponsored by OCBC Bank for the second year running.
THE popular Johor Baru Car-Free Morning (JB Car-Free Morning), held every second Sunday of the month, will be taking a break in March as Ramadan begins.
Johor Baru mayor Datuk Mohd Haffiz Ahmad said the car-free mornings would resume on April 13.
He also shared that the planet-friendly programme has received a timely boost as OCBC Bank (M) Bhd has returned as the main sponsor for the second year running.
“In addition to its initial sponsorship of 100 bicycles for the public to ride for free during the event, the bank has sponsored another 100 bicycles this year,” he said in a media statement issued by Johor Baru City Council (MBJB).
Partnering with MBJB in carrying out the programme is Multigreen Events Sdn Bhd which has organised the JB Car-Free Morning since last year.
The company also organises the KL Car-Free Morning.
Mohd Haffiz said the event organisers and partners have helped ensure a consistently high number of participants of more than 1,500 people each session.
“The car-free mornings are a great platform for people to gather to enjoy the sights of the city without having to worry about traffic.
“The success of JB Car-Free Mornings is seen in how all 100 bicycles are quickly snapped up every session.
“Realising this, OCBC Bank was quick to offer another 100 bikes for the public to use this year.
“We thank them for this gesture,” he added.
OCBC Al-Amin Bank Bhd chief executive officer Syed Abdull Aziz Syed Kechik said they would strive to create even more health and environment-related programmes for everyone to participate in.
“We hope to add recycling and go-green initiatives, to which all participants can contribute as well.
“Our role in the JB Car-Free Mornings complements the active part we play in the development of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone,” Syed Abdull Aziz added.
The JB Car-Free Morning provides participants with 5km of closed and traffic-free roads from 7am until 9am, during which they can enjoy exercising by cycling, running, skateboarding or simply walking.
The route begins at the MBJB Building on Jalan Dato Onn and weaves through Jalan Ibrahim, Jalan Wong Ah Fook, Jalan Gereja, Jalan Trus, Jalan Abdullah Ibrahim, Jalan Dato Dalam, Jalan Khalid Abdullah and Jalan Ayer Molek before concluding where it started.
Participants can look forward to seeing landmarks such as Sungai Segget, Johor Ancient Temple, Gurdwara Sahib Johor Baru, Sultan Ibrahim Building and the Persada Johor International Convention Centre.
