1st Ipoh Car-Free Nite

While Ipohites are already familiar with the city’s Car-Free Day which used to be held every last Sunday of the month, for the first time, the Ipoh Car-Free Nite was held last Saturday evening along Jalan Sultan Abdul Jalil, in conjunction with the 34th Ipoh City day celebrations. The stretch of road was closed for vehicles from 7.30pm until 11pm.

This initiative by the Ipoh City Council which was introduced in October 2015 with the objective to make Ipoh a low-carbon city has resumed as our country enters the endemic phase of COVID-19. Despite this relaxation, it was worthy to note that all attendees adhered to the country’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).

According to Ipoh City Mayor YBhg. Dato’ Rumaizi Baharin, who officiated the event, organising the city’s Car-Free Day programme in the morning and at night serves different purposes. For example, during Car-Free Nite, his team was able to test the effectiveness of solar energy equipment, checking the carbon level of the area, and other considerations.

Based on feedback and response, Ipoh Car-Free Nite might be organised on alternative Saturdays, as an educational process for the community, to be environmentally friendly both in the morning and at night. “For the time being, we will maintain this programme once a month,” the mayor added.

Booths were set up during Ipoh Car-Free Nite, among others were bicycle rental, stroke awareness campaign, dental check-up and Kinta Valley Geopark exhibition. One of the sub-programmes held was Family Picnic Night. Attendees were also entertained by buskers and traditional dancers.

Ipoh Car-Free event aspires to improve the Happiness Index among the community by fostering environmental awareness, health, safety, history and legacy of the City.

Event: Ipoh Car-Free Nite
Venue: Greentown
Date: 28th May, 2022
Time: 7.30pm – 11pm