Response to Jude Alphonso Tan's death: Ride of Silence

"Cycling enthusiasts ride in honour of 'cyclist brother'," by David Sun. The New Paper, 31 May 2012. The ride ended at the spot where the accident occurred along Changi Coast Road.

"They may not have known him in person.

But a group of cycling enthusiasts got together to ride in honour of their "cyclist brother", who died after being knocked down by a lorry on Saturday.

"Though most of us do not know Jude, he is one of us, our cyclist brother," said Miss Quek Huey Ming, a cyclist who helped facilitate the ride on Monday.

"The cycling community in Singapore has come together to do a ride in his honour."

Mr Jude Alphonsus Tan, 25, had been knocked down by a lorry while riding along Changi Coast Road - a popular cycling route - on Saturday morning. He died on the spot.

Police said they arrested a 39-year-old man.

Mr Tan was believed to have been riding with a group of friends when he was knocked down.

On Monday, the group of more than 100 cyclists began their Open Slow Ride of Silence at 8.30pm in Mr Tan's memory.

The ride, which started at Lorong Halus and was supposed to end at the wake at Marine Terrace Block 54, was eventually redirected when a relative of Mr Tan appealed to the cyclists not to disturb the wake.

Thus, the ride ended at the spot where the accident occurred along Changi Coast Road.

The cyclists who took part in the ride said they respected the family's request.

"The family wants to grieve in private, and we totally respect that," said Derek Leong, 43, a human resource manager.


Very affected by accident

Miss Quek said that the group decided to organise the ride as they were very affected by the accident.

Said Mr Allen Chew, 53, a golf instructor and avid cyclist, who also helped organise the ride: "Hopefully this will create some awareness... that we cyclists should have a right to share the road with motorists."

The New Paper understands from Mr Tan's grandfather, Mr George Tan, 75, that his grandson lived at Tanah Merah, and often went with his friends to Malaysia for sporting activities.

TNP also understands that he has a younger brother and sister, and his parents were overseas when the incident happened.

When TNP went to the wake at Block 54, many of the relatives declined to comment, with one insisting that they wanted the funeral to be a private affair. The family is appealing for witnesses to the accident.

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The announcement: "Open Slow Ride of Silence for Jude Alphonsus Tan (2012-05-28)". Dual Circles, 28 May 2012.