Friday, June 17, 2011

"Rediscover the joy of cycling" with tokyobike, now in Singapore city

I chanced upon tokyobike, a boutique shop selling a Japanese, classically-styled (minimalist) lightweight bike designed for rides in Tokyo city. The elegant shop in Haji Lane is run by Jolyn, her hubby and his brother.

The designer spirit of the brothers had them fall in love with the bicycle when it was chanced upon in Tokyo. The feel of the bike spoke of a simplicity of childhood cycling - a bike free of a multitude of specs. To Jolyn, the bicycles tell us to "rediscover the joy of cycling"!

tokyobike


Now armed with a mechanic, the shop opened its doors two and a half weeks ago and sports five models including two ladies models (grip gear and lever gear), a sports model and a fixie, all in a multitude of colours. These are pricey steel bicycles, near $1,000 in cost but they are selling - to designer and artist types, apparently, who can’t resist the pretty bikes!

I can imagine liking a bike, but these joy of cycling advocates went on to setup a shop! Well, we now have yet another bicycle type to encourage some Singaporeans to return to the saddle they abandoned for too long.

tokyobike
Tokyobike Singapore is located at 38-01 Haji Lane, Singapore 189231. Closed on Mondays, otherswise open from 1pm to 8pm, and an hour earlier on Fri and Sat. Web - Facebook - Twitter.

Drop by for a visit - they are friendly and respond enthusiastically to the simplest of questions. Cyclists are welcome to take a pit stop, refill water and take a test ride. Mind you, there is plenty to distract you in Haji Lane, and not least a well-fed cat peering out of a shop window!

Haji Lane
See posts and good photos of the bicycles by others:

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Govt in talks on 'green corridor' - The Straits Times

"Govt in talks on 'green corridor'," by Grace Chua. The Straits Times, 16 Jun 2011. Minister on possibilities for KTM railway land.
THE Minister of State for National Development has sounded what green groups have read as a positive note on the fate of the island's north-south strip of railway land.

Brigadier-General (NS) Tan Chuan Jin indicated in a Facebook post that the Urban Redevelopment Authority and the National Parks Board have been in talks with the Nature Society of Singapore (NSS) over several interest groups' proposal to turn the land into a continuous strip of recreational space.

The 173.7ha tract of land, which now belongs to Malaysia's Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM), reverts to Singapore on July 1. About 40km of railway now sit on it - 26km from Tanjong Pagar to Woodlands, and at least a further 14km of disused line from Clementi to Jurong.

BG Tan, who described the proposal for such a 'green corridor' as 'fascinating', wrote in his post:

'I believe that there are exciting possibilities to bring Singaporeans together as we embark on this journey to create our home, even as we preserve our environment and heritage.'

The authorities will meet members of the interest groups soon, he said, and 'outreach efforts' will begin in earnest in due course.

BG Tan, who is also Minister of State for Manpower, offered an explanation for what may have seemed to some as a delayed response to the matter:

'We have been rather quiet on this publicly, as it would be prudent for us to let the agreement unfold and cross our July 1st milestone, when the railway line will become an integral part of Singapore again.'

The 'agreement' he was referring to is the land- swop deal sealed between Singapore and Malaysia last September; under it, the land vacated by the relocation of the railway terminal to Woodlands would be exchanged for parcels of land in Marina South and in the Ophir-Rochor area.

He added that having been quiet 'does not equate to being silent. We have had a good working relationship with the NSS'.

Local nature and heritage interest groups submitted their green corridor proposal to various ministries and government agencies last October; they suggested converting the strip into a cycling and pedestrian trail, much like existing park connectors.

The NSS, on its part, has undertaken a survey of the area's plant and animal life. Rare birds such as the Buffy Fish Owl have been seen in some parts there.

Green corridor supporter and environment consultant Eugene Tay thanked BG Tan for his 'open and positive note', saying that developing the corridor was an opportunity not to be wasted.

Mr Tay told The Straits Times that, even as he looked forward to the meetings with the authorities and the outreach efforts, the time had not yet come to pop the champagne.

'But it's good he openly mentioned that they are looking into the proposal. I think there's hope,' he said.

Already, the Bukit Timah railway station has been gazetted as a building to be conserved, and the Tanjong Pagar railway station, as a national monument.

A tender to remove other railway structures, however, was awarded this month to engineering firm Indeco Engineers.

The tender documents call for three steel bridges - at Hillview Road, Ten Mile Junction and Kranji Loop - to be torn down, along with sleepers, tracks, cables, gates, posts, and small buildings along the line from Tanjong Pagar to Woodlands.

Some rail equipment, such as signal lights, level crossings, controllers and traffic lights, have been earmarked for re-use, but the tender documents have not spelt out who would re-use them.

The NSS plans to ask the authorities for at least a six-month 'stay of execution' on the removal of these structures to give members of the public more time to go on guided or independent walks on the railway safely, said NSS vice-president Leong Kwok Peng.

To date, about 1,000 members of the public have been on such walks, he said.

Overseas, conserved railway land has been turned into visitor destinations; examples include New York City's High Line Park and Paris' Promenade Plantee.

BG Tan said he plans to visit the French park during an upcoming trip to the Group of 20 meetings there.

caiwj@sph.com.sg


Links
  • "We support The Green Corridor in Singapore" - facebook group
  • A "Grand Spine for the Park Connector System" - NSS' proposal for KTM Railway land. Habitatnews, 02 Nov 2010. This has various links including letter by cyclists from a year ago.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Update on the Benjamin Mok hit and run case - suspect charged in court

Last March, Benjamin Mok was killed by a suspected drink-driver along Clementi Road. The suspect was charged in court yesterday and is out on out on $10,000 police bail. The case resumes on 21 Jul 2011.

"Doc faces five charges over fatal accident with cyclist," by Elena Chong, Court Correspondent. The Straits Times, 10 Jun 2011. General practitioner is accused of failing to stop and help after collision in Clementi last year.
"THE accident in Clementi last year killed a cyclist and injured another, and sparked off efforts by cycling groups to raise cycling awareness on roads here.

Yesterday, a doctor, Teo Tiong Kiat, 63, was charged in court over the incident near Ngee Ann Polytechnic.

He is alleged to have caused the death of freelance writer Mok Chee Kong, 35, by committing a negligent act along Clementi Road on March 21 last year at about 9.25pm. He is also said to have caused grievous hurt to Mr Bertram Leong Poh Meng, 23, a chef, who was cycling in front of Mr Mok.

The collisions occurred when Teo was filtering from the centre lane to the left one.

The general practitioner also faces three other charges of failing to stop after the accident; failing to render help; and removing his car without the approval of a police officer.

Mr Mok, an experienced cyclist who had ridden overseas in countries like the United States, died three days later without regaining consciousness.

Teo's lawyer, Mr Chen Chee Yen, said he had just been briefed and applied for the case to be adjourned to take instructions.

Teo, who is out on $10,000 police bail, will be back in court on July 21.

If convicted, he can be jailed up to two years, fined or both for causing death; and jailed up to two years and/or fined up to $5,000 for causing grievous hurt by committing a negligent act to endanger life.

The maximum penalty for not stopping after an accident and removing a vehicle without authority is a $1,000 fine or three months' jail on each charge.

For failing to render assistance, the maximum punishment is a $3,000 fine or 12 months' jail.

After Mr Mok's death, cycling groups lobbied for a national safe cycling campaign to be launched.

A 'ghost bike' memorial was erected at the accident scene in Clementi Road. 'Ghost bikes' first appeared in the US at places where cyclists had been knocked down.

They serve as both a warning to other cyclists and a reminder to drivers that cyclists also ply the roads they use."


elena@sph.com.sg

Related links:

"Drink driving caused doctor to run down cyclist" The 64-year-old stands accused of hit-and-run for the Clementi Road accident at about 9.25pm on March 21, 2010. -AsiaOne The Straits Times, 24 Mar 2012

SINGAPORE - Dr Teo Tiong Kiat admitted in court on Friday to causing the death of a pedal cyclist and injuring another when he suddenly swerved from the centre to the left lane of the road. The 64-year-old stands accused of hit-and-run for the Clementi Road accident at about 9.25pm on March 21, 2010.

The careless driving caused the death of Mr Mok Chee Kong, 35, when Dr Teo hit the back of the freelance writer's bicycle. He also injured Mr Bertram Leong Poh Meng, 24, a fellow cyclist. The court heard that he had a glass of red wine before the accident. Dr Teo is pleading guilty to two charges.

As for the three remaining charges of failing to stop and provide assistance after the accident, as well as removing his car without lawful authority, Mr Teo is claiming trial. Mr Teo returned to the scene after half an hour and told the traffic police that he was the driver of the car. He smelled of alcohol and his face was flushed, said the corporal present at the scene of the crime. Dr Teo's second breathalyser test on the scene recorded a 'warning' reading. At the Traffic Police headquarters, he was required to take another test, which he passed. The test recorded about half the prescribed legal limit of 35mcg per 100ml.

 The trial continues next week.


"Doctor said he did not know he had hit 2 cyclists," by Elena Chong. The Straits Times, 27 Mar 2012

A general practitioner - who claimed trial to failing to stop his car, rendering help to two cyclists after an accident and removing his vehicle without authority - said in his defence that he did not know that he was involved in an accident.

Teo Tiong Kiat, 64, told the court on Tuesday that he only came to know that his car must have hit the two cyclists later on when he walked back to the accident scene along Clementi Road on March 21, 2010. He admitted last Friday to causing the death of freelance writer Benjamin Mok Chee Kong, 35, and injuring another cyclist, Bertram Leong Poh Meng, 24, by failing to keep a proper lookout when swerving from the centre lane into the left lane, hitting the back of the two cyclists travelling in front of him.

He will not be sentenced until after the end of his trial. Teo, who has since stopped driving, testified that he was driving along Clementi Road on his way home after dinner when he felt the car swerving to the left and the car wobbling. He lost control of the car and heard a loud sound. He was desperately trying to bring his car under control. When he finally did so, he drove down the slip road to Upper Bukit Timah Road and parked at the carpark.

When he got down to check, he was shocked to see the damage to the car's bonnet, windscreen and roof. He met a man called Michael Teo, who was having dinner with his family. He told Mr Teo that it was amazing that his car was so badly damaged and he did not have any injury.

Later on, his office manager came to the carpark and pointed out the missing front number plate. He then decided to walk back to the scene where he saw police and his number plate by the side of the road. Teo said had he known that he was involved in an accident and caused injury to the cyclists at the time, he would have rendered aid.

'I also want to add that as a doctor, it is my duty and my training to render assistance to the poor, and to the sick, all the more so if I had known that I had caused injury to somebody, I would have definitely rendered my assistance,' he said.


"GP guilty of 3 offences in fatal hit-and-run" The Straits Times, 26 Apr 2012 By Elena Chong

A GENERAL practitioner was yesterday found guilty of three traffic offences related to a hit-and-run incident on Clementi Road which claimed the life of a cyclist two years ago. Teo Tiong Kiat, 64, who runs a clinic in Clementi, had been charged with failing to stop after the accident, failing to render help, and removing his car from the scene.

He admitted that his negligence caused the death of freelance writer Mok Chee Kong, 35, and grievously injured Mr Mok's friend, Mr Bertram Leong Poh Meng, 24, who was also cycling that evening of March 21, 2010. Teo, who had had a glass of wine over dinner but whose breath specimen was below the prescribed legal limit for drink driving, had veered from the centre lane to the left lane, hitting the cyclists. The pair hit the windscreen of Teo's car, flipped over its roof and landed on the road.

Teo had said in his defence that he had fallen asleep at the wheel and was unaware that he had been in an accident. Convicting him of the three charges, District Judge John Ng said the doctor had failed to prove this. The car was very badly damaged and evidence given by experts on what must have been a forceful impact from the collision made his claim to being unaware impossible to accept, he said. 

Teo's mitigation plea will be made on May 25.


"Doctor gets jail, driving ban for causing cyclist's death" By Alvina Soh | Posted: 25 May 2012 1329 hrs http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1203498/1/.html 

SINGAPORE: A doctor who caused the death of a cyclist and seriously injured another was on Friday jailed four weeks and banned from driving for five years. 64-year-old Teo Tiong Kiat admitted to causing the death of 35-year-old Mok Chee Kong along Clementi Road towards Upper Bukit Timah Road on March 21, 2010.

Teo pleaded guilty to five charges, including failing to keep a proper lookout, causing grievious hurt and failing to render assistance to the victims. The court heard that Teo, who runs his own clinic at Clementi, had a glass of red wine before the accident. Investigations revealed that Mok, along with two others -- 24-year-old Bertram Leong Poh Meng and 18-year-old Douglas Sim Chun Ya -- were cycling on the extreme left lane of a four-lane road.

Teo was driving in the second lane when he suddenly swerved into the cyclists' lane. Teo then collided into the back of the bicycles which Mok and Leong were riding, throwing both men onto the bonnet of his car. The court heard that Mok and Leong flipped over the car's roof and landed on the road. Teo left the scene after the accident and returned less than an hour later. He then informed a police officer at the scene that he was the driver.


Mok, who was sent to hospital unconscious, passed away three days later from multiple injuries, including severe head injury. His friend, Leong, suffered serious head and neck injuries. Speaking to the media after the sentence was passed, Teo said he was remorseful and asked for forgiveness from the victims' families. - CNA/wm


"Doctor gets jail, driving ban for causing cyclist's death" By Alvina Soh | Posted: 25 May 2012 1329 hrs http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1203498/1/.html 

SINGAPORE: A doctor who caused the death of a cyclist and seriously injured another was on Friday jailed four weeks and banned from driving for five years. 64-year-old Teo Tiong Kiat admitted to causing the death of 35-year-old Mok Chee Kong along Clementi Road towards Upper Bukit Timah Road on March 21, 2010.

Teo pleaded guilty to five charges, including failing to keep a proper lookout, causing grievious hurt and failing to render assistance to the victims. The court heard that Teo, who runs his own clinic at Clementi, had a glass of red wine before the accident. Investigations revealed that Mok, along with two others -- 24-year-old Bertram Leong Poh Meng and 18-year-old Douglas Sim Chun Ya -- were cycling on the extreme left lane of a four-lane road. Teo was driving in the second lane when he suddenly swerved into the cyclists' lane. Teo then collided into the back of the bicycles which Mok and Leong were riding, throwing both men onto the bonnet of his car.

The court heard that Mok and Leong flipped over the car's roof and landed on the road. Teo left the scene after the accident and returned less than an hour later. He then informed a police officer at the scene that he was the driver. Mok, who was sent to hospital unconscious, passed away three days later from multiple injuries, including severe head injury. His friend, Leong, suffered serious head and neck injuries.

Speaking to the media after the sentence was passed, Teo said he was remorseful and asked for forgiveness from the victims' families.


"Doctor guilty of causing cyclist's death through negligence fined $20,000 by SMC" By Kash Cheong The Straits Times, Friday, March 14, 2014 - 19:46 

A doctor found negligent in a fatal hit-and-run accident has been fined $20,000 and censured by the Singapore Medical Council (SMC)'s disciplinary tribunal. Get the full story from The Straits Times. 

Here is the statement from the SMC: The SMC's Disciplinary Tribunal ("DT") held a disciplinary inquiry on 28 January 2014 against Dr Teo Tiong Kiat ("Dr Teo"). Dr Teo is currently practising at Teo Clinic & Surgery Pte Ltd.

 This matter stemmed from Dr Teo's conviction, after trial, on 25 May 2012 of three offences (collectively referred to hereinafter as the "3 Criminal Convictions") in the Subordinate Courts as follows:-

  • (a) Failing to stop his motor vehicle after committing a serious road traffic accident which caused serious injuries to one cyclist and death to another under Section 84(1) read with Section 84(7) of the Road Traffic Act (Cap. 276, 2004 Rev Ed) ("the Act"); an offence punishable under Section 131(2) of the Act (the "First Offence"); 
  • (b) Failing to render such assistance as may reasonably be in his power under Section 84(3) read with Section 84(7) of the Act; an offence punishable under Section 84(8) read with Section 84(9) of the Act (the "Second Offence");and 
  • (c) Removing his motor vehicle after the accident without the authority of a police officer under Section 84(4) read with section 84(7) of the Act; an offence punishable under Section 131(2) of the Act (the "Third Offence"). 
In relation to the 3 Criminal Convictions, the following penalties were imposed by the Court:-

  • (a) First Offence - 1 week imprisonment; 
  • (b) Second Offence - 2 weeks' imprisonment and disqualified from holding or obtaining all classes of driving licence for a period of 5 years with effect from the date of release from prison; 
  • (c) Third Offence - 1 week imprisonment. 
Dr Teo had also pleaded guilty to two charges of negligent driving arising from the same factual matrix, and for which separate penalties were imposed. In the result, the Court imposed a global sentence of 4 weeks' imprisonment and disqualification from holding or obtaining all classes of driving licence for a period of 5 years with effect from the date of Dr Teo's release from prison for the five offences.

At the disciplinary hearing, Dr Teo was charged under the Medical Registration Act (Cap. 174) for three counts of having been convicted of offences implying a defect in character which made him unfit for his profession, one for each of the 3 Criminal Convictions. No charges were preferred at the disciplinary hearing for the two charges of negligent driving. Dr Teo pleaded guilty to the 3 charges preferred and was accordingly convicted by the DT.

In the DT's Grounds of Decision, the DT indicated that it considered Dr Teo's mitigation plea and the submissions made by Counsel for the SMC. In relation to the mitigation plea, the DT noted that Dr Teo was deeply remorseful, that he pleaded guilty to the 2 charges of negligent driving before the Court, and that he did not contest the charges that he faced before the DT.

The DT also noted that Dr Teo had an unblemished record, and that these proceedings constituted Dr Teo's first disciplinary offences in his many years of medical practice. Testimonials from Dr Teo's fellow professionals and ex-patients attesting to his outstanding qualities and professionalism as a doctor and friend were also taken into consideration.

The DT noted that this was a case where the 3 charges arose out of the same road accident. While the DT acknowledged that "hit-and-run" related offences are serious offences, it further observed that unlike previous SMC disciplinary proceedings involving criminal convictions that had resulted in the imposition of a sentence of suspension for the doctor concerned, this particular case did not involve any pre-meditation, fraud, dishonesty, or violence.

Insofar as the need for the protection of the public was concerned, the DT noted that Dr Teo had voluntarily stopped driving immediately after the accident and that he voluntarily undertook not to drive again for the remainder of his life.

The DT therefore determined that the risk of reoffending is significantly reduced in this particular case. Having considered the relevant factors in its entirety, the DT ordered that Dr Teo:-

  • (a) pay a penalty of $20,000.00; 
  • (b) be censured; 
  • (c) give a written undertaking to SMC that he will not apply for a driving license or drive in future or engage in the conduct complained of and any similar conduct; and 
  • (d) pay the costs and expenses of and incidental to these proceedings, including the costs of the solicitors to the SMC.
---

Thursday, June 02, 2011

When on footpaths, cyclists should not be ringing bells at pedestrians

Personally, I don't give way to cyclists who ring at me on footpaths. Cyclists should travel at the speed of pedestrians and not be ringing their bell at anyone on foot. If you want to travel faster, get on the road.

"Victim of bike rage," letter to Todayonline from Harshal Patil, 02 Jun 2011.
"I became a victim of bicycle rage on Monday. A friend and I were walking on a footpath from my workplace at the Changi Business Park (CBP) when I heard a bicycle bell ringing behind me.

As I moved to give way, I felt a bump as the cyclist hit me. He rode on but not without first telling me that it was my fault as he had rung his bell.

I ran and caught up with this person at the traffic light. He argued that he was justified in assuming the footpath belonged to him and in bumping into anyone who did not move fast enough.

I was able to identify him as a foreign national. As a foreigner myself, I feel ashamed that such people are perpetuating the negative stereotypes of foreigners with his rudeness

Perhaps the relevant authority could post circulars clarifying the rules of using bikes on footpaths. Such circulars should especially be posted in all CBP offices where many foreign nationals work. Specifying a hefty deterrent fine and clarifying which authority can impose such a fine is also important.

That way, next time, this person will think twice before hitting someone else."

More letters appeared in the days that followed.Right of way?

"Two-wheeled speedsters," letter from Clair Elaine Jerusha Devan. Todayonline, 03 Jun 2011.
"I REFER to the letter "Victim of bike rage" (June 2). We were walking back home from the coffee shop. As my mother is 77 years old, she walks rather slowly and I was holding her arm. We heard the loud ringing of a bicycle bell and could tell a cyclist was fast coming up behind us.

I was unhappy that he was speeding on a pathway close to a playground and a park with an exercise area for the elderly. As we did not move aside quickly enough, the cyclist swerved around us and shouted "S-T-U-P-I-D".

Disappointingly, it was a boy aged about 10 to 12.

In the same area, a child was once knocked down and hurt by a young cyclist also speeding along the pathway.

We also encounter cyclists who ring their bell at us within the void deck, and take for granted that they have right of way wherever they ride. One can't take a peaceful stroll in the company of an elderly person or a young child, without being rung at.

There are no easy solutions - perhaps a neighbourhood watch group looking out for errant cyclists?"
"Who should give way?" Letter from Joanne Tan. Todayonline, 03 Jun 2011.
"I LIVE in Jurong West, where there are many cyclists. Often, when I am walking with my two children on the footpaths, we have to dodge cyclists travelling at high speed. It is difficult to make way for them when I am holding onto my children's hands.

As the bikes have no registration plates, we cannot even make a report if we were to be knocked down by one.

Some of the paths are marked "PCN" (for park connector network). If these are to be shared by cyclists and pedestrians, how do we do so? Who should give way to whom?"

"Dad in coma after bicycle hit him," letter from Kwee Chong Yeo. Today Online, 06 Jun 2011.
"I REFER to the letter "Victim of bike rage" (June 2) by Harshal Patil.

My 63-year-old father was a victim of a bicycle accident on the morning of May 30. As a former stroke patient with renal failure, he was making his way home when he was hit by an 11-year-old boy cycling along the void deck of Block 526, Bedok North St 3.

My father suffered a serious head injury, which warranted an emergency brain operation.

He is currently under observation in the Intensive Care Unit at Changi General Hospital. He remains unconscious and his condition is unstable to this day.

It is extremely worrying to note the lack of effective measures to protect residents from errant cyclists. On the day of the incident, no cycling prohibition signs were observed at the void deck.

I myself have been hit by teenagers cycling at high speed on two occasions at the same block.

I believe further measures, perhaps of a punitive nature, need to be put in place.

We have not heard from the family of the culprit since the incident. We are wondering if they are sending a signal to their child "to keep quiet when you hit someone and hopefully time would heal everything".

"And then there is jogger rage ...," letter from Edwin James Fawcett. Todayonline, 06 Jun 2011.
"IN RESPONSE to the letter on cyclist "road rage" (June 2). I would like to share my experience as a cyclist.

Last month, while I was cycling home from work along the Bedok canal on the designated cycle path, a jogger came straight at me.

Rather than cross onto the pedestrian section to avoid him, I stayed as far right as I could. I waved at the jogger to move across and there was no response. Eventually I had to stop, and as I was about to politely mention that he was in the cycle lane, he punched me in the face.

Now as you can imagine I was a little upset about this, so I dismounted and politely chastised him. He then ran off shouting racial abuse at me.

Having lived in Holland for many years, cycling is second nature to me. It is a little annoying seeing the very bad attitudes of pedestrians towards cyclists. Riding at the East Coast Park for example is a nightmare, with people blatantly walking on the cycle paths without a care in the world."
"Clear rules needed for cyclists," letter from Lynn Tan. TodayOnline, 08 Jun 2011.
"I refer to the letter "Victim of bike rage" (June 2). I myself have had a few near-misses as a pedestrian; my husband pulled me out of a cyclists' way in the nick of time.

I have witnessed a number of bike rage incidents recently. In one, a cyclist brandished his bicycle mid-air, threatening to hurl it at a driver and his car. Another time, I saw a cyclist brazenly sticking his arm through the open window of a car at a traffic light junction, gesticulating violently and antagonistically.

Regardless of the circumstances leading to these displays of outrage, such actions are a cause for concern.

On the roads, cyclists argue that they are the more vulnerable group. As such, motorists should give way and exercise caution.

Similarly, on the pavements, pedestrians are the more vulnerable group, so shouldn't cyclists do likewise?

The reason the situation is getting out of hand is because the authorities have persistently shied away from establishing, and more importantly enforcing, some clear ground rules.

With cycling catching on as a sport, both at a competitive and recreational level, it is time the authorities stepped in.

There also needs to be a way of identifying cyclists in the event of such hit-and-run cases, as it is not always possible to physically pursue and nab them, whether you are on foot or on four wheels. "