Noraini with participants at Padang Laman Seni Safari, off Jalan Stesen, during a previous car-free day in Klang.
KLANG’S car-free day, held on the third week of each month, has become an event many look forward to.
Young people are drawn to it as they are encouraged to bring their skateboards, roller skates, foldable scooters and bicycles.
Some participants just run or jog since the main roads are closed to traffic.
Mats are rolled out for picnics to encourage family time, with boardgames and themed fashion shows also organised to add variety.
Klang Municipal Council (MPK) president Noraini Roslan said the municipality planned to hold its eighth car-free day this Sunday from 7am to 10.30am at the Padang Laman Seni Safari, off Jalan Stesen.
“Our car-free day started off with the aim of alleviating the impact of transportation-related air pollution in the town area and to encourage people to adopt a sustainable lifestyle including stopping the use of single-use plastics.”
Noraini said this initiative, which began in June 2022, had since gained good public support.
MPK Corporate Communications Department director and organising committee chairperson Norfiza Mahfiz said designated roads within the town would be completely blocked off to vehicles in stages for the 3km Happy Fun Walk from Padang Laman Seni Safari (opposite the Sultan Abdul Aziz Royal Gallery) to Jalan Istana, Jalan Tengku Kelana, Jalan Tengku Diaudin and back to Jalan Stesen.
Due to the current heat wave, MPK will hold only a 3km walk and not a 5.4km walk as planned earlier.
“The closure of the roads in the morning will open up a lot of space for participants to walk, run, jog, skateboard or cycle.
“Before the walk, we will have an aerobics exercise session.
“People will also be able to go on the Royal Klang Town Heritage Walk to appreciate old colonial buildings, including a warehouse built by a Malay chieftain.”
The heritage walk showcases 11 tourist attractions – the Sultan Abdul Aziz Royal Gallery, Little India, the former Standard Chartered Bank building, Royal Klang Club, Istana Alam Shah (the official palace of the Sultan of Selangor), Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, Klang Convent School, Tengku Kelana Indian Muslim Mosque, Sri Nagara Thendayuthapani Hindu temple, Klang Fire Station and Gedung Raja Abdullah.
This time, there will be an exhibition by the National Anti-Drug Agency and a poster-drawing competition for children.
Norfiza said the starting point at Padang Laman Seni Safari was within walking distance of Klang KTM Komuter station.
“Our car-free day is not a competitive sports event but an opportunity to socialise while walking at a comfortable pace.
“It is on a weekend so families can enjoy an outing, have a good breakfast or lunch, shop at the iconic Little India and ride the Komuter train home in the afternoon.”
Klang’s car-free day has become an economic catalyst for the town’s Little India, an Indian business enclave that has become a tourist attraction.
Most of the 100 shops, including restaurants, have been told to open early to enjoy brisk business.
