In the late hours of the evening, a community of cyclists lit up the night as they flocked in the hundreds to Giant Hypermart to participate in the Ride of Silence for the late 11 year-old Yunus Hj Abdul Rahman.
Congregating in Giant Hypermart's car park, the grounds became a flurry of lights from safety lamps and light reflective vests as the ride increasingly spelt out safety awareness.
Asked of how many cyclists were to join the ride of silence, Lim Boon Teck told The Brunei Times, "200 cyclists or more will be taking part, after having put the details on the Internet, Facebook (on the local cycling community page cycling buddies) and we also asked Triple Star to text message their customers to inform them of the ride."
The intention of the organisers of the ride was to let motorists know that "cyclists share the road and that we are not going away; to tell them to be careful because we don't want these tragedies to happen".
Lim added that the ride of remembrance was "put together in a very short time, government approval and Giant Hypermart's support was gained in one day".
"It takes a real team effort to get things together in such a short time; it just goes to show how when we want to get something done we can come together."
Gareth Griffiths, an 'A' Level Geography teacher at Maktab Sains who also took part in the ride of silence said he saw the whole event as "good community action".
"I see it as community action that is worth supporting as it raises awareness on the tragic accident as well as cycling safety in the community."
On hand to escort the cyclists was the Traffic Control Unit of the Royal Brunei Police Force.
PC Viddey Azimey from Traffic Control said that the only thing worrying him at the time was the cover of night as it makes it harder to see things.
Asked of the type of situation that he would be looking out for, Azimey said "maybe when they (cyclists) are coming out of a turning onto a highway where there will be fast cars, and at traffic lights when we have to stop all the cars to let the cyclists pass".
The Brunei Times
Minister of Communications Pehin Dato Hj Abdullah (C), Minister of MIPR Pehin Dato Hj Yahya (R), Smarter president Malai Hj Abdullah (L), and other participants during the ride of silence in remembrance of 11-year-old Yunus and others who have been killed or injured on the roads. The ride began at Giant Hypermart in Rimba. Picture: BT/Saifulizam
One of the cyclists donating to the fund for the family of the late Yunus. Picture: BT/Saifulizam
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
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