THE BRAINS BEHIND KL CAR FREE MORNING
Datuk Naim was also the man who jump-started the idea of KL Car Free Morning, an initiative to prompt the public to exercise and enhance physical fitness. The main objective of KL Car Free Morning is to promote a healthy lifestyle and unity among city folk. This event is also a go green campaign to help reduce carbon emissions.
The event, first introduced on 22 September 2013, was organized by Multigreen Events and supported by Kuala Lumpur City Hall. Several thousand thronged to the event, a testimony to the growing health-conscious Malaysians and their appreciation of KL Car Free Morning.
Held from 7am to 9am on every first and third Sunday of the month, KL Car Free Morning features closed roads for people of all walks of life to cycle, handcycle, run, skateboard, rollerblade or simply walk. It begins from Dataran DBKL (near Dataran Merdeka) and leads participants through about 7 kilometers of major streets in Kuala Lumpur’s Golden Triangle. At no other time, the participants will get the chance to experience this carless freedom.
Also, the Chairman of the KL Car Free Morning Implementation Committee, Datuk Naim further shared with us that the provision of the tandem bicycles by OCBC Bank is a timely enhancement to the event that will benefit those who wish to ride with their families. It also caters for those who find it difficult to ride without a companion, for example in the case of the visually impaired and handicapped individuals.
“In addition, the tandem bikes promote an inclusive spirit and will ensure those who cannot cycle alone to go ahead and enjoy the sport as well. This would include those with coordination difficulties and the visually impaired.” Datuk Naim elaborated.
HIS INPUT
When being in Malaysian National Cycling Federation he described it as the most rewarding part of his career. Datuk Naim inspired other deputies to work as dedicated and committed to what they are achieving, because being able to sacrifice time, energy and resources is equally imperative.
Of course, he had his fair shares of ups and downs. However, if you don’t succeed at first, try again. If there is one thing we all could agree on, it would be that passion kept him going through his rollercoaster ride. He is a great leader. He is Datuk Naim Mohamad. He is someone who took Malaysia’s cycling community to greater heights and placed Malaysia on the map for the whole cycling world to witness.
