KUALA LUMPUR: Sports enthusiasts have the opportunity to go green during the 2017 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games (KL2017) here, as they can enjoy a free bicycle ride to commute from one venue to another.
Besides enjoying the athletes showcasing their determination and incredible display in their quest to grab medals at this biennial Games, KL2017 is also the best platform for commuters as well as athletes and volunteers alike to support the green initiative by riding Malaysia’s first ever dock-less bicycle service known as oBike.
It’s marketing manager, Elaine Chan said as oBike is appointed as the KL2017 official green initiative partner, they were glad to be part of the biggest sporting event in the Southeast Asia region by providing bicycles all around KL2017 venues in Klang Valley in a bid to encourage people to preserve the environment.
“This green transport serves as an alternative transport for short distances, first and last mile travel, which is in tandem with the KL2017 aim to encourage usage of public transport, promoting environmental awareness, lower carbon emission and sustainability practices to be shared and applied across different layers of society.
“To celebrate this occasion, we have great news for current and future riders as they can enjoy unlimited one hour of free oBike rides throughout the Games until 30 Sept,” she told Bernama.
Chan said there are thousands of bicyles available at the KL2017 venues, among others Kuala Lumpur Sports City, Malaysian International Trade and Exhibition Centre, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, and Water Sports Complex, Precinct 6, Putrajaya.
What is more interesting, she said all oBike rides during the SEA Games promotion will be recorded with the amount of carbon emission saved, as part of the contribution to KL2017 green initiative goal.
“Users simply have to download our application on Apple App Store or Google Play to register and put in a fully-refundable deposit of RM49 while students only need to pay RM19 deposit to enjoy the oBike service.
“To use the bicycle, they need to scan the QR code to unlock the bicycle and then they also need to park at the designated bicycle parking spot and manually lock the bike once they have finished ride,” she added.
Chan said the Singapore-based company had provided around 100,000 bicycles in selected areas in Malaysia since making its debut last April.
“On normal days, riders need to pay a deposit of RM129 while students pay only RM79 for the bicycle with RM1 charge per 15 minutes of riding,” she said.
Meanwhile, reporter cum photographer, Lim Chee Sen hailed the idea of having oBike in KL2017 as it was very convenient for him to carry some heavy photo equipment to the venue.
“oBike helped me a lot to travel but I do hope that they can fix the lock button as I had to wait for few minutes to lock the bicycle after I finished using it,” he said.
A local university student, Muhammad Faiez Ahmad Puzi, 22, said oBike not only eased his journey but it also helped him to keep his body fit.
“Apart from environmental friendly, this facility can help people to adopt healthy lifestyle when they move around,” he said. – BERNAMA