Vintage bicycle record-breaking feat

A 200-metre stretch of the main road entering the hypermarket was packed with the classic bicycles — setting a new record for the largest gathering of old cycles in Malaysia Book of Record.

SOME 426 vintage bicycle enthusiasts dressed up as characters from yesteryear converged at Mydin MITC in Ayer Keroh, Malacca, to showcase their rides.


The mass gathering of vintage bicycles was officiated by state legislative assembly speaker Datuk Wira Othman Muhammad with Mydin’s managing director Datuk Dr Ameer Ali Mydin in attendance.

“I am proud to be invited to witness a large congregation of classic bicycles,” said Othman, at the event which was jointly organised by Batu Berendam Classical Bicycle Association and Mydin.
Among the exhibits were utility, service and military bicycles that were more than a century old.
The hypermart’s manager R Apparavoo said he did not expect a huge turnout of vintage bicycle owners at the event.
“They came with zeal to display their collections which is not only a captivating sight for locals, but also visitors from neighbouring states, especially the younger generation.”

Vintage bicycles that were abundant in the early days of Malaya ranged from manufacturers like Raleigh, Hercules, Robinhood, Phillips, BSA, Sunbeam, Triumph, Hudson and Rudge.
Some 20 classic bicycle associations from Muar, Klang, Kota Tinggi and Johor Baru were involved in the gathering to commemorate Malaysia Day.
One of the participants, Zain Omar from the Army’s firefighting unit became the talk of town with his vintage fireman’s bike.
He said the special British-made bicycle was used in the 1880’s.
“I spend a fortune to refurbish the old bike which was purchased from an antique dealer, few years ago.

“The fire-fighting equipment which was mounted on the bike were sourced from various antique collectors domestic and foreign.”
Zain, a fireman at the Terendak Army Camp said his network of friends had led him to source for vintage firefighting equipment from England.

Two other cycling enthusiasts, Sak Abu Ali, 58 and Yakno Yapani, 35, from Batu Berendam had turned up in vintage police uniforms during the gathering.
Sak Abu said their uniforms were custom made while the rank insignias and service badges were ordered through the Internet.