Cycling in Singapore

"Cyclists start drive to get more road space" - The Straits Times

2012-01-30T02:56:00.001+08:00

"Cyclists start drive to get more road space," by Royston Sim. The Straits Times, 23 Jan 2012. Pitch to cut lane widths, so riders can have more room, to be sent to LTA

"A trio of avid cyclists have started a project to measure lane widths of roads around Singapore, hoping it will eventually lead to more space for cyclists.

They believe that the lanes on some roads can be narrowed to create more room for cyclists to ride between the kerb and double yellow lines at the side of the road.

They have begun to measure lane widths on several roads, and plan to submit a proposal to the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to narrow the lanes by the end of this year.

The idea for such a project first hit product designer Francis Chu, 51, last November, when he was cycling along Bayfront Avenue to the Marina Bay Sands.

He said there was a 1.2m space between the kerb and double yellow lines there, which allowed him to ride comfortably and away from traffic.

'It's usually stressful cycling across a bridge, but I felt comfortable and relaxed. If more roads in Singapore could be like this, it will be beneficial for cyclists,' he said. 'It will also be less stressful for motorists if cyclists kept within the double yellow lines.'

Mr Chu, who is launching a bicycle- sharing programme called Isuda, roped in two friends - Singapore Management University undergraduate Chuah Sun Soon, 26, and product designer Yang Tah Ching, 46.

They began documenting lane widths later that month, beginning with several streets in Toa Payoh. They have posted the measurements on lovecycling.net, the website of a local cycling group.

At Toa Payoh Rise, they found the distance between the kerb and double yellow lines was 60cm, the width of the first lane from the double yellow lines was 2.8m and that of the fast lane, 3.3m.

Said Mr Chu: 'We are trying to identify potential areas in Singapore where the lane width can be reduced to allow more space for cyclists. If there is extra space on some lanes, why can't it be shifted to create more space between the kerb and the yellow lines?'

Mr Yang said this could be done without much infrastructural changes, by simply repainting lane markings.

The Straits Times understands that lane widths are determined based on factors such as the speed limit in an area and the volume of traffic there.

The trio have measured several roads in Toa Payoh and Ubi so far, and plan to scope out the Geylang area next month. Their goal is not to measure all roads, but to gather enough data to show that there is room to create safer cycling spaces on some roads.

With cycling rapidly gaining popularity in the last few years, there has been a constant call from cyclists for better facilities. Many feel squeezed and, at times, endangered when pedalling on the roads. Meanwhile, there are drivers who feel that cyclists tend to hog the road and slow down traffic.

This personal project is the latest bid to improve riding conditions for cyclists. A much publicised initiative launched in December 2010 was OCBC Cycle Singapore's safe cycling campaign to get drivers to give cyclists 1.5m of space when overtaking them."

Background story
Road rules for cyclists

UNDER the Road Traffic (Bicycles) Rules, cyclists are:

Prohibited from riding on the right side of another vehicle that is not a bicycle, unless they are attempting to overtake the vehicle.
Allowed to ride two abreast in the same direction on a public road, except when overtaking. If three or more cyclists are riding in a group, they must ride in pairs or in single file.
Required to keep to the left-hand edge of the roadway, and not in a way so as to obstruct other vehicles moving at a faster speed.
Required to ride in an orderly manner, with due regard for the safety of others.

"Safe cycling in Singapore roads," by Francis Chu

2012-01-30T02:46:00.001+08:00

Francis Chu discusses six factors affecting the safety of cyclists on Singapore roads in "Safe cycling n Singapore roads," over at the "Love cycling in Singapore" blog (29 Nov 2011).

His key concepts:

Click to read

Join the TTSH Family & Friends Charity Ride on Sat 25 Feb 2012 and raise funds for needy sick elderly

2012-01-20T08:40:00.001+08:00

The Tan Tock Seng Hospital Community Charity Fund is organising a Family & Friends Charity Ride in conjunction with the launch of a Park Connector in the Northeastern part of Singapore by the National Parks Board (NParks).

About the Event
The event will be held on on Saturday 25 February 2012 from 8.30am to 12.00pm. Cyclists will ride along a 9 or 11km Park Connector to enjoy the beautiful green space and waterways. Deputy Prime Minister Mr Teo Chee Hean will be the Guest-of-Honour of the NParks event. There will also be a Carnival in the Park for the community to join in the celebration. More than just a fun outing or morning exercise in the park connector, the event also aims to raise at least $100,000 for our needy elderly patients who require long-term medication and treatment in TTSH.

Registration
Individual registration fee is $50 and groups of FOUR and above need only to pay $30 per person. Payment is by cheque, paypal or cash at TTSH. All participants will receive a T-shirt and a goodie bag worth $50. Rental of Bike is available on event day at $10 per bicycle (payable onsite). More information is available on http://ttshcharityride.com.

Overhead bridges made easier

2011-12-24T22:42:00.001+08:00

Our Park Connector Networks (PCN) are often isolated by overhead bridges which make it tough for leisure cyclists from enjoying the full potential of some these lovely PCN stretches.

Well, Adrian Loo blogged about his Park Connector Ride from Bishan to Kallang Waterside Park. He "had a most peaceful experience and importantly safe one, free from danger posed by traffic" on his new foldable bike, a Tern Link P9

notices narrow slopes on either side of the steps on some overhead bridges. These make it easier for cyclists to push their bikes up a bridge instead of having to carry them the entire way.

Still, he says, "it will be tough for smaller kids to push their bikes or wheelchairs to cross the roads serviced by such bicycle-friendly overhead bridges."

Read about his PCN ride here. He features the rivers, scenery, maps and most importantly, a prata shop along this ride.

NTU Bike Rally 2012

2011-12-22T19:58:00.001+08:00

NTU Sports Club's round-island Bike Rally is the only annual round island ride in Singapore. Organised principally for undergraduates, the event features multiple rest stops (about seven, I believe) but is open to the public and I have ridden with them since 2003. Registration is open!

This is an excellent way to tackle your first first round island ride; cycling on the periphery of Singapore on a Sunday with fellow-participants all togged out with the event cycling jersey. Along the way, NTU Sports Club volunteer route marshals are bussed about to keep you on track.

This ride is a good way to discover parts of Singapore you have not yet examined. Amongst the many NTU undergraduates would be first timers renting a bicycle for the occasion and suffering somewhat on their first long-distance ride. You will be inspired by their tenacity, but of course they have youth on their side!

The registration fees are $15 for NTU Student/Staff/ Alumni, and $30 for members of the public. A limited edition jersey costs $35. Online payment is possible. See http://bikerally.ntusportsclub.sg/

Last year's route, click for larger image

SSC's Safe Cycling Guide ver ?2011

2011-12-19T23:17:00.001+08:00

I dropped in LTA's MyTransport.sg Responsible Cycling webpage and saw the link to the Singapore Sports Council's Safe Cycling Guide.

I have archived a copy here. This version, which I am guessing was published in 2011, is a more concise version of the 2009 booklet (36 pages versus 48 pages). A comparison of the covers provides an indication of the feel of the booklet - the first, 2009 version used soothing colours and had a more recreational-cyclist feel. The new guide is sporty-looking which might be a deliberate slant for the intended audience.

Singapore Sports Council's Safe Cycling Guide ver ?2011

Singapore Sports Council's Safe Cycling Guide ver 2009

How necessary is this? I coordinated natural history guided bicycle tour of Pulau Ubin annually for 12 years (Pedal Ubin) and the participants would have been happy to have been pointed to this before the ride. Flip through the guide yourself to see if you would have remembered to advise a novice cyclist about all aspects reflected here before setting out on a bicycle ride; the reminders are always helpful.

I'm glad its out there and that like Taiwoon says in "small wheel big smile", am glad there is a cycling tab LTA's mytransport.sg portal. Eventually we'll build towards something like that of the Toronto's Cycling Safety page!

Bicycle security labels in Singapore - get your free label at a nearby NPP

2011-12-19T13:40:00.001+08:00

Bicycle theft is a common occurrence in Singapore and vigilance is critical. This is yet another challenge faced by cyclists which needs to be addressed in order to promote cycling in Singapore - safe place to safely park your bicycle, particularly at work and at MRT stations.

Well, for bikes which are stolen but not dismantled, bicycle security labels, like these 3M Security Labels, may be helpful in a case of theft - police will have and can circulate details easily and the physical presence of a label may act as a deterrent to thieves.

In March 2011, the first bicycle security labels system was launched at Tampines Town Council by the National Crime Prevention Council (Singapore) and the Singapore Police Force (see the Today Online news report on this blog and NCPC's photos from the launch).

The NCPC 2011 annual report explains:

"Bearing the NCPC’s and the Singapore Police Force’s logos, each label contains a unique set of numbers for the easy identification of bicycles. The tamper proof labels are specially produced with security features so that they cannot be easily replicated.

It will also be useful as an identity reference for bicycle owners when lodging a report or filing for an independent registry such as the Tampines Town Council BIDS system. The Bicycle Security Labels are given out free of charge at all Neighbourhood Police Centres."

Most of us forgot about it because at the time, the labels and the BIDS (Online Bicycle Identification System) system were available only to residents at Tampines Town Council. The report did indicate that the scheme would be rolled out "to other constituencies in phases from May."

Well, many of us forgot all about this, so recently there has been a push to remind us.
This morning, NCPC's facebook page posted "Get your free Bicycle Security Label from your nearest NPC! This label comes with a unique serial number that helps you and the Police to identify your stolen bicycle."

I searched and found this Straits Times article from just a few days ago - "Security labels let you track your bicycle," by Jalelah Abu Baker. The Straits Times, 13 Dec 2011.They can help to deter theft and are available at any police centre

"Cyclist Edwin Low pedalled to a neighbourhood police post in Whampoa on Monday within hours of reading about an anti-theft measure.

He had read a post put up on the police's official Facebook page encouraging bicycle owners to stick a security label on their machines.

It took no more than five minutes, and he left knowing that his $13,000 bicycle would no longer be an easy target for thieves.

The rectangular label, which allows a bicycle to be tracked if stolen, was released in collaboration with the National Crime Prevention Council. It was made available to the public in June but it was only through the Facebook post that many cyclists and groups have now come to learn about it.

The number of bicycle thefts increased by 40 per cent to 454 in the first half this year, from 318 in the same period last year.

The police said owners can go to any neighbourhood police centre with their bicycle to collect the security label. The particulars of the owner and the label's serial number will be recorded.

A spokesman added: 'The label serves as a visual deterrent to thieves and comes with a unique serial number that helps owners and the police to identify their bicycle if it is stolen.'

The white adhesive label - described in the post as weather-resistant - has security features embedded which will allow the machine to be traced even if the label is tampered with.

Mr Low, 22, manager of bicycle shop Elite Custom, said the move would benefit cyclists who commute or pedal for recreation and do not have the luxury of safeguarding their bicycles in their homes.

But keeping it at home is not always foolproof security-wise as another avid cyclist, Mr Shawn Chung, found out on Monday morning.

His modified bicycle, which cost about $1,000, had gone missing from his terrace house in Katong.

He usually keeps it locked in a garage but had left it in the porch as he was tired after returning from an eight-hour cycling trip in Bintan.

However, he feels a security label is not of much use since even if the bicycle is tracked down, it would probably not be intact.

Said Mr Chung, 41, who is between jobs: 'My bike is probably already in pieces and the different parts will be sold separately. This is what generally happens.'

Still, Mr Steven Lim, president of the Safe Cycling Task Force, welcomed the label as a good step towards minimising the number of thefts as the culprits would not get away as easily.

But he noted that nothing beats vigilance on the part of the bicycle owner.

The police advise owners to keep their bicycles at home when they are not using them. They should be locked when left unattended, even if only for a short while.

Cyclists can go for a durable U-lock, which provides better security than cable locks, or a lock with an alarm feature.

Said the chairman of the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC), Mr Tan Kian Hoon: 'Bicycle-shop operators can also help by urging their customers to use the labels.

'With the entire community coming together, NCPC is confident that the problem of bicycle thefts in Singapore can be tackled effectively.'

jalmsab@sph.com.sg"

So, have you got your label yet? I'll go down to my neighbourhood police post (NPP) to get mine later.

The adventures of Robert Tan: the 70-year-old will retrace the Japanese invasion route

2011-11-29T16:15:00.001+08:00

Paddled around Singapore Island when he was 13, now wants to cycle down Malaya to end at Reflections at Bukit Chandu. Article says year-end, anyone seen him and his kakis? This POSKOD article from 28 Jul 2011 says he will ride year-end.

"The Adventures of Robert Tan," by Dan Koh. Poskod, 28 Jul 2011.

Cycling in Malaysia (TNP article, 30 May 2011)

2011-11-29T16:08:00.001+08:00

"Cycling for hours without traffic lights," by Diane Louys and Kwan Hui Xian. The New Paper, 30 May 2011.

"MORE Singaporeans are going the distance for cycling. To Malaysia, to be exact.

Some are even helping organise cycling trips for other Singaporeans.

Cycling enthusiast Mark Cheong, 27, observed: "Two years ago at the annual Pedalholic Cycling Club Interstate ride in Malaysia, there were about five Singaporeans. This year, there were about 55."

Mr Cheong, a bicycle shop manager who is based in Kuala Lumpur and who plans to set up a bike shop there, now organises cycling trips in Malaysia for about 15 of his Singaporean friends.

He said he started cycling upcountry in 2004,when his army friend,who cycles there regularly, took him along.

"It's a place where you can get an endless route and cycle for hours without coming across a traffic light. You don't have to stop and start again," said Mr Cheong.

He organises the trips in his personal capacity and does not charge his friends.

"When friends come by, I help them by sorting out routes, taking them on routes and advising them on accommodation.

"I cycle with the locals here, so from there, I fix an interesting route for my friends. I can alter the route based on their fitness," said Mr Cheong.

And he is not the only Singaporean to organise such trips to Malaysia.

Madam Kathleen Seng, 40, started cycling in Malaysia in 2006.

She said: "We (Team Bandung) started with about five or six girls. Now we have about 120 who go with us, the majority of whom are triathletes."

Madam Seng, a manager, travels with 20 or more people each time she goes up north.

Most go to enjoy the scenery and get away from the city.

Recalling how the team started, Madam Seng said: "We were a group of like-minded triathletes and we wanted a change of environment for training. Malaysia has long stretches of road without any traffic lights, few cars and fresh seafood."

Local cycling groups like Joyriders have also been venturing across the Causeway - from Genting to Cameron Highlands.

The group, which was formed five years ago,makes trips there almost every month.

The coach they hire can accommodate only so many people and their bikes, 20 to 30 Joyriders go at a time. For their next trip to Ipoh in July, the group plans to hire two coaches for 56 people.

When they started out, such trips were made less than five times a year.

Said their founder, Ms Joyce Leong, 55: "At first, people were a bit scared because of the mountains and all.

Support car

"But I arranged for a support car to give people more confidence. People are more gung ho now."

Mr Kartick Thapa, 35, a software engineer, is one of those who have gone cycling in Malaysia.

"Usually,we cycle 150km a day.When we go for weekend trips and we start at 5am, we have two big breaks where we all regroup," he said.

Even teens aren't left out of a Malaysian cycling adventure.

One of the youngest cyclists who rides with Mr Cheong is Jenevieve Woon, a 16-year-old student. She goes with her mother, Ms Anne Chua, 48.

They either fly up north with their bikes or drive, then cycle over 100km in the mornings until about noon.

Said Jenevieve: "I go there mainly because Singapore is only so big and you can do only so much. There are big climbs like the Cameron Highlands, Fraser's Hill and Genting Highlands in Malaysia."

Her mother, Ms Chua, said the trips are a good opportunity for her to bond with her daughter. She said: "We enjoy climbing the routes in Malaysia. We sometimes drive to KL for a few days and go sightseeing.

"My favourite memory was cycling across Penang Bridge on New Year's Day."

Engineer Dennis Goh, 29, was introduced to cycling in Malaysia by a friend.

"The rides in Malaysia take more time and are usually over longer distances. It's only the really hardcore cyclists who will go to Malaysia,"Mr Goh said.

But it's just not the young cycling in Malaysia.

Mr Robert Tan, 70, has been cycling there since he retired some three years ago.

In fact, Mr Tan has plans to re-enact the cycling route Japanese soldiers took during World War II when they invaded Singapore.

"The route is about800km and we plan to do this over 10 days," he said.

Still, Mr Cheong advises newbies to make sure they are up to the rig ours of cycling upcountry before they sign up for such trips.

He said that his first major cycling trip in Kuala Lumpur last year left him battered and badly dehydrated.

"I had cramps everywhere. Myneck, everywhere.

I couldn't even walk up the hill," said Mr Cheong, who cycles an average of three times a week. He underestimated the terrain and did not pace himself enough for the climbs despite training in Singapore.

Mr Goh agrees, and offers some advice to those willing to pedal up north.

"It's definitely better to cycle in groups or with a buddy who can offer help.Obey traffic rules and try to keep to the left of the road."

Mr Goh also says to look out for hazards and to dress for safety and comfort.

"The roads in Malaysia are not as well maintained as the roads in Singapore, so look out for potholes," he said.

"Wear bright coloured clothing, have lights and do pre-ride checks each time."

And like Mr Goh, Mr Cheong says it's mostly the seasoned rider that would enjoy Malaysia for all that it has to offer.

Said Mr Cheong: "You really need to train for it. You can't go out wanting to hammer the ride and think that you can get away with it."

Check out mrbrown's Quick Guide to Bicycle Commuting in Singapore

2011-10-24T14:20:00.001+08:00

The inimitable blogger and podcaster, Mr Brown, took a break from his usual satire to bring you his "Quick Guide to Bicycle Commuting in Singapore".

It is from 2008 but I only just noticed it. And I don't think we ever linked to it from here.

It is excellent. Go check it out.

SEC calls for a more holistic transport strategy encouraging behavioural change

2011-10-14T07:13:00.001+08:00

"11 recommendations to tackle climate change," by Esther Ng. Today, 14 Oct 2011.

Singapore - Free public transport during certain hours, quarterly food, electricity and water rationing, and farmers' markets in housing estates are some recommendations the Singapore Environment Council (SEC) has made to NCCS 2012, the National Climate Change Secretariat's public consultation exercise.

Top on the list of its 11 recommendations is a call for a more holistic transport strategy which encourages "behavioural change as a longer-term solution".

For instance, schools could increase "bicycle parking areas" and get students living nearby to ride to school instead of having their parents drop them off.

Bicycle racks can be installed on public buses, so that people who wish to cycle to work, but live too far from their workplace, can split their commute between bicycle and bus routes.

The Greater Richmond Transit in the United States and bike-sharing schemes in London and Dublin are some successful examples, the council noted.

Free public rides on public transport during peak hours on weekdays or one weekend a month could encourage more people to take public transport.

Said the SEC's executive director Jose Raymond: "Singapore needs a strategy to balance the needs of a growing population with cost effectiveness and environmental sustainability. This balance cannot be achieved simply by growing public transport infrastructure or by continuing to tax vehicle owners heavily."

The SEC said air-conditioning bus interchanges and hawker centres was "unnecessary" and "contributes to avoidable energy wastage" and called on the Government to consider "alternative measures" to cool down public spaces.

With climate change affecting food, energy and water security, the council recommended quarterly food, electricity and water rationing for schools, offices and households. The intent is to "encourage a greater understanding of the energy-intensive and expensive processes that bring food, water and energy ... and that these scarce resources should not be taken for granted".

Additionally, farmers' markets and produce from rooftop gardens in public housing estates will enhance Singapore's food security and reduce the Republic's carbon footprint from food imports.

You can submit feedback to the National Climate Change Secretariat at their webpage.

Negative versus positive bicycle advocacy

2011-10-04T22:20:00.000+08:00

Our previous post stumbled into a raging debate between two contrasting ways of promoting bicycle safety.

One approach to bicycle safety urges us to protect ourselves. This often means promoting helmets and high visibility clothing. Although it often calls for infrastructure, it tends to be pessimistic about the chances of persuading governments to build much. It therefore tends to focus on safety education for cyclists themselves. The info-graphic in the last post was an example from that tradition.

Around the world, a radically different approach to bicycle advocacy and planning has recently become prominent. Followers of this approach emphasise creating a safe environment for cycling. They see calls for cyclists to protect themselves as counterproductive because they discourage cycling by making it seem even more risky than it really is.

This approach builds on the successes in several European countries where cycling has been made extremely safe in many European cities despite very little use of helmets or high-viz clothing. It also argues that there is safety in numbers - the more people cycle, the lower the risk for each individual cyclist. It argues that cycling should be treated as an everyday, no-fuss activity done by ordinary people of all ages and abilities. ThomasK's comment on Siva's post reflects this alternative approach.

I can understand the urge to warn about danger. I myself usually do wear a helmet when I cycle. But I am convinced that the positive approach is the better way to advocate for bicycles as transport over the long term.

Excellent sources of information on this approach include, the Copenhagenize blog, the Cycling Embassy of Great Britain, and David Hembrow's blog A view from the cycle path. Here is a wonderful example of extremely positive bicycle advocacy from the new Dutch Cycling Embassy,

We should work to make cycling so safe that we have no need for helmets or reflective vests. This requires serious infrastructure, which requires serious investment (but still a tiny drop in the ocean compared with roads and mass transit investments). This approach is the only one that has successfully resulted in dramatic increases in both bicycle use and bicycle safety.

"Cycling Injuries Revealed", an US infographic by Christensen Law Firm

2011-09-30T07:25:00.001+08:00

click for larger view

"Pasir Ris cyclists get dedicated path" - rollout of latest path in LTA's National Cycling Plan

2011-09-19T15:43:00.001+08:00

There are two cycling networks in Singapore:

NParks' Park Connector Network (PCN) (recreational cycling amidst greenery and to connect parks) [link]
LTA's National Cycling Plan (cycling paths in seven HDB towns) [link]

The article below refers to the latter.

"Pasir Ris cyclists get dedicated path," by Jermyn Chow. The Straits Times, 19 Sep 2011. New 1.1km path has separate lanes for cyclists and pedestrians

Cyclists trying out the new dedicated cycling path along Pasir Ris Drive 3. The 1.1km stretch that opened yesterday is part of a 13.3km cycling path network that will link different parts of Pasir Ris town and be completed by next year. -- ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM

"A 1.1KM path - with separate lanes for cyclists and pedestrians - was rolled out in Pasir Ris yesterday.

Instead of sharing with pedestrians an old 1m-wide footpath, cyclists now have their own lane on a path that has doubled in width.

Painted markings identify the cyclists' lane.

Yesterday, 100 residents were among the first to zip down the bike path in Pasir Ris Drive 3. Alongside the cyclists were brisk-walkers.

The stretch is part of a 13.3km cycling path network that will link different parts of Pasir Ris town. It will be completed by next year, and where space permits, there will even be dedicated cycling tracks.

Launching the new cycling path and flagging off a bike trail yesterday was Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean.

Mr Teo, who is also an MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, said the new path is a 'good step forward' in promoting a safe cycling culture in Pasir Ris where 'cyclists and pedestrians can co-exist'.

He noted that grassroots leaders in Pasir Ris have come up with ideas to stop cyclists from chaining their bicycles to pillars and blocking footpaths.

Mr Alvin Yeo, chairman of the Pasir Ris West Citizens' Consultative Committee, said one preventive measure was constructing railings along the footpaths.

This move was on top of the signs to remind cyclists to park in designated spaces which have bicycle racks.

Mr Yeo said more safe cycling clinics will be conducted, given that seven in 10 residents in Pasir Ris are cyclists. This number is likely to grow as more people move to the area in the next five years.

Safety has been in the spotlight following a spate of deaths involving cyclists. Last year, there were 16 deaths, down from the year before, when there were 17.

In 2007, there were 551 accidents and 22 deaths. Those caught riding in a way that can maim or kill someone could be looking at up to a year in jail, a fine of up to $5,000, or both.

Pasir Ris is one of seven cycling towns where the Land Transport Authority is developing more than 50km of cycling paths. The others are Tampines, Yishun, Taman Jurong, Sembawang, Changi-Simei and Bedok. A cycling network is also being planned for the Marina Bay area and will be ready by 2014. Some $43 million has been set aside to build infrastructure in designated cycling towns.

Cheering the new bike paths is Pasir Ris resident Ong Pang Gee who cycles to Pasir Ris Park and White Sands shopping mall every other day.

The 58-year-old father of three, who is self-employed, said: 'With my own lane, I have peace of mind when I'm on my bike and do not have to worry about knocking into pedestrians.'

jermync@sph.com.sg
"

Moving Planet Singapore features "National Mobilisation" - cycle down to town, Sat 24 Sep 2011

2011-09-19T15:23:00.001+08:00

NATIONAL MOBILISATION
In order to promote cycling in town, we will be working with the various partners and community leaders to mobilise people in Singapore to cycle to town on the day itself to orchard road for a concert performed by young aspiring artistes.

The expected turn out of cyclists to the event would be 300 cyclists ranging from teens to mature cyclists.

In order to entice and encourage cycling, we would be providing free basic bicycle maintenance services and a clinic among other family outreach programmes. We will also allocate bicycle parking spots with security measures to ensure cyclists can have fun while being in town for the event.

Free Bicycle Parking space available from 10am – 10pm

See Moving Planet Singapore.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Bicycle Clinic Workshops by Safe Cycling Singapore
Bicycle Engraving Services
Mountain Bike Obstacles Performances (You can join too!)
Learn about good cycling habits
Free Bicycle Parking all day
Environmental Exhibitions
Take picture and contribute to Singapore Millions Acts of Green

"World Hospice Day Ride 2011" - cyclists wanted for charity ride

2011-09-15T23:11:00.001+08:00

"The Singapore Hospice Council invites the Singapore cycling community to join our "World Hospice Day Ride 2011" in observing the World Hospice & Palliative Care Day on Sunday 16th October 2011."

For details of the third year of this event, see this page. The ride which begins at the premises of the SHC/Dover Park Hospice at Jalan Tan Tock Seng Rd will end at East Coast Parkway and end with a carnival.

You can pre-register here, donate to the Singapore Hospice Council if you are interested in volunteering, email them at info@pedal.sg.

"Cycling must be a key part of Singapore’s future"

2011-09-15T07:57:00.001+08:00

tk has penned a guest essay about bicycle policy in Singapore over at Yawning Bread which has succinctly expressed many opinions shared by readers here.

tk discusses the diversity of cyclists, identifies the maor problems on the road, puts forward coherent arguments for cycling and discusses cycling infrastructure and how to cheaply improve it. With Yawning Bread's high readership, this will raise an understanding of the issues.

"...the same anger toward cyclists is not evidently being directed toward the large numbers of motorists colliding with each other or with more vulnerable road users, causing far greater damage..."

"...complaints about cyclists all stem from the same cause – no unique space has been set aside for them, so they’ve carved out their own. This fight for space is going on in every major city around the world..."

"In the global competition to attract talented professionals (and and retain young Singaporeans), more and bigger hotels, shopping malls and casinos are not going to cut it. Singapore needs to start offering more “quality of life” assets, including cycling infrastructure."

Go ahead, read the article, and when you are done, do your bit to circulate it to friends via facebook or email. "Cycling must be a key part of Singapore’s future," by tk. Guest essay at Yawning Bread, 14 Sep 2011.

2011-07-28T12:02:00.001+08:00

I am enthusiastic about being brightly lit, to increase my visibility and lowering risk of an accident and write about this a year ago in "How brightly lit are you? Tail lights and other stories"

This morning, a fellow cyclist I see almost every year at the NTU Bike Rally, send me this news release about BLAZE, a light projection devise to alert drivers about your presence in congested cities, especially those who might not see you when pulling into your lane. Emily Brooke of University of Brighton suggested,

"Even when lit up like a Christmas tree a bicycle in a bus's blind-spot is still invisible."

- Lighting the way." University of Brighton News and Events, 01 Jun 2011.

This reminded me of something I came across a few months ago. It projects a lane definition to the rear of a bike possibly for use with night rides. Designed in Singapore, it's called Laser Lite Lane

Would you use any of these? I guess we'd have to see this in action or try it first. Green Idea Factory, however, is quick to argue against these, with a cautionary post last year: "Don't believe the Hyper-illumination".

Certainly adequate, blinking illumination should be a requirement for all cyclists on the road and I hardly think BLAZE will be the solution to city traffic collision woes.

I am not a cycle to work guy, so I avoid peak hours and practise defensive riding - origins I credit to the theory lessons for my motorcycle 2B license by some very experienced ex-traffic cops in the late 80's.

This is important because cyclists in Singapore are in no man's land in public roads - we are in a "ride at our own risk" situation. So I ride like a prey species, am unlikely to battle for a lane with a larger vehicle and am alert to pre-empt interactions. I watch motorists like a hawk, am situationally aware and happy to compromise speed for safety in an instant, even choosing alternative and longer routes to avoid messy spots.

Cycling in dense urban traffic has its own joy and requires specific bursts of acceleration, clear and early indication of intention, steady riding and confluent with the flow of traffic, complete attention and alertness. One indication of success - cars aren't honking you. But I've pretty much given that up these days. I like the PCNs and smell of fresh air too much.

"Doing the RIGHT thing" (on errant cyclists and multi-use paths)

2011-07-28T10:03:00.001+08:00

Liew Kin Soon writes in response to all the negative press about cycling in Singapore (so much that I've not kept up):

"It looks like there has been plenty of negative press about errant cyclists on roads and multi-use paths. We should take a lesson from the Japanese.

While travelling in Tokyo on a work trip, I noticed how congested the roads and sidewalks were. Yet, cyclists, pedestrians and motorists were somehow threading their way past each other without fuss. There seems to be a give-and-take spirit and a recognition that we all have to get along for each other's sake.

I think that is the sort of graciousness we need to inculcate. No one person owns the road. We all share it. And we should all use common sense.

It's not a matter of "my RIGHTs", it's a matter of doing the RIGHT thing and showing care."

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

2011-06-17T01:04:00.001+08:00

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"!

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 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!

See posts and good photos of the bicycles by others:

"Tokyobike, Haji Lane and Sate Padang," by Thali. Expiration Date, 05 Jun 2011.
"Tokyobike SG." Candy Cranks, 10 Jun 2011.
"tokyobike: now riding in Singapore," by Pat Law. blankanvas, 06 Jun 2011.

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

2011-06-16T10:30:00.001+08:00

"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.

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

2011-06-10T08:28:00.001+08:00

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:

"RIP Benjamin Mok" - 26 Mar 2010
"Ghost bike' memorial for Benjamin Mok, RIP (The New Paper)" - 09 Apr 2010.
"Cyclists launch safety drive" (The Straits Times)" - 09 Apr 2010.
Benkamin Mok Pedal On - webpage

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

2011-06-02T08:57:00.001+08:00

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. "

Are cyclists sharing the roads graciously? Letters to the media

2011-05-25T01:32:00.001+08:00

"Cycle safely, not aggressively." The Sunday Times Think, 22 May 2011.

Recently, while driving home along Holland Avenue, I noticed two cyclists in front, riding on the right lane of the two-lane road.

They took up the whole lane, and there was a slow-moving bus on the left lane, so none of the motorists behind could overtake them.

When a taxi driver indicated his annoyance, he was met with threatening gestures from one of the cyclists. The rider even stopped and lifted his bike, threatening to throw it at the taxi.

His actions were uncalled for.

This reminds me of an incident earlier this year, when a cyclist tapped on my car window at a traffic junction and accused me of trying to cut him off the road, even though I had earlier tried to change lane to avoid him.

These cyclists should remember that roads here are still meant primarily for the use of motor vehicles.

Cyclists should not 'assert' their claim on road use by flouting the rules or acting aggressively. Such attitudes will not help foster a safer environment for both cyclists and motorists.

Jerry Low

"Cyclists need to play their part too," Today Online Voices, 24 May 2011.

AS A driver, I am happy to see that many motorists are displaying the "1.5m matters. Share the road." stickers as a sign of their awareness of the vulnerability of cyclists.

I also note that many cyclists are using helmets, flashing lights and that some ride defensively by asserting their rights as equal road-users like other vehicles.

However, I have also observed that cyclists, while demanding that drivers observe traffic rules for safety' sake, do not behave like good road-users should.

For example, I have seen on many occasions, cyclists not stopping for a red light when there are no oncoming cars. Also, many ride side-by-side and take up the whole lane instead of riding in a single file.

I feel that there is more than enough room on our roads for all types of vehicles, including bicycles. But cyclists need to realise that they too are subject to traffic rules that are there for both their safety and mine.

Danny G Tan

"'Raging bulls' on park connectors." The Straits Times Forum Online, 24 May 2011.

I HAVE had some harrowing experiences with speeding cyclists on park connectors recently.

Some park connectors have pictures of bicycles and feet painted on them to encourage cyclists and pedestrians to keep to their side of the road for safety reasons.

In the latest encounter, I was jogging on the extreme right side of the park connector, designated for pedestrians. A cyclist came headlong towards me at top speed and braked unwillingly just centimetres away, after realising that I was not going to be able to avoid him. I was shell-shocked.

He seemed to be swearing in a foreign language, given the disgusted expression on his face, and cycled off at top speed again. In another incident I witnessed, a toddler wandered away from his parents and stepped unknowingly into the path of a speeding cyclist. The cyclist managed to avoid the toddler in time, but instead of slowing down or apologising, he continued on his way and shouted out to people to "be careful".

I am deeply saddened by these errant cyclists who do not care about the safety of others. Such encounters seem to be on the rise, and I feel the stress of constantly looking out for these "raging bulls".

If we ban cyclists from park connectors, that will be an injustice to people who cycle at a leisurely pace. If we install speed sensors along park connectors to catch and fine speeding cyclists, that would take time and money, and probably a lot of convincing of the authorities.

Therefore, I appeal to all cyclists to slow down on park connectors that are shared by pedestrians.

In land-scarce Singapore, where park connectors are no more than 2m to 3m wide, speeding can be dangerous for both pedestrians and cyclists. I am sure no cyclist would want to inflict grievous hurt on others and injure themselves in the process.

Pedestrians are not always beyond reproach and should also do their best to stick to their side of the road.

A little courtesy goes a long way.

Lau Pei Yng (Miss)

"Ensure cyclists learn traffic rules." The Straits Times Forum, 24 May 2011.

OF LATE, there has been a strong push towards safeguarding cyclists on Singapore roads. I am happy to note that there has been an observable increase in tolerance by motorists for cyclists. Nonetheless, I feel the situation can be improved further.

I acknowledge that most cyclists do obey traffic rules. However, I have also seen a few, particularly in suburban neighbourhoods, who risk their lives by choosing to switch between being a road user and a pedestrian as and when it is to their convenience. This presents a degree of uncertainty that can lead to unfortunate incidents.

One weekend, I witnessed a young couple on separate bicycles, with children in tow, making a right turn at a junction, then steering left onto the pavement adjacent to the traffic light. There was a taxi behind, but thankfully it was travelling at a slow speed or else it might have run them down.

I have witnessed a few similar cases. If we are to have safer roads for all users, it seems only logical to institutionalise the learning of traffic rules by cyclists, and if need be, some degree of enforcement.

After all, if other road users are required by law to sit and pass the highway code test before they can take to the road, what more for the most vulnerable group out there?

Ivan Lee

What is Everyday Traffic?

2011-05-12T12:42:00.000+08:00

The open facebook group Everyday Traffic is "a discussion portal and a resource portal for all things transport and traffic. "

A discussion portal is welcome news for cycling, especially one which regular folk can participate in easily. Facebook has facilitated participation well beyond blog-reading regulars for most things, so this is a promising venue.

Everyday Traffic is managed and moderated by Tham Chen Munn, the director of Traffic and Transport Consultancy Services at McCormick Rankin Cagney, a transportation consultancy, Chen Munn is also the Vice President for Leisure & Safety with the Singapore Amateur Cycling Association.

This site hopes to encourage awareness and discussion amongst the transport community -planners, developers, architects, students, engineers, journalists, policy-makers, good drivers, bad drivers, etc. By taking into the larger, relevant issues on transport, cycling discussions avoid 'us vs them' limitations and contribute coherently to awareness and fuel action.

Admittedly this is as ephemeral as any other facebook page - while well suited for an ongoing conversation, we can’t link to specific discussions and trawling through the archives is only possible linearly.

So treat it as a source of conversation and Chen Munn promises a FRIDAY FRIENDLY FEUD, a current affairs topic he will moot related to traffic for everyone can pitch in ther five cents worth! This was simulated by a diverse yet constructive discussion on the feasibility of a helmet law for bicycles on 8th April 2011. Hop over to take a look!

Ride of Silence Singapore - 21 May 2011 @ MBS, register at 8am

2011-05-12T11:42:00.000+08:00

The Ride of Silence is observed in honor of those who have been injured or killed while cycling on public roadways.

To HONOR those who have been injured or killed
To RAISE AWARENESS that we are here
To ask that we all SHARE THE ROAD

"The Ride of Silence is free of charge and open to all without affiliations, we only ask cyclists to ride no faster than 20 Km/h (12 mph) and to remain silent throughout the ride."

Event details:

Saturday 21 May 2011: 8am.
Starting location: Marina Bay Sands Promenade.
Destination: 20 Km Loop to Marina Bay Sands

Find out more more at the Ride of the Silence webpage at rideofsilence.sg and stay up to date via the facebook page.

Note: this is not a joyride for newbies but for cyclists familiar with the roads. The organiser shares on the facebook event page that the 'Singapore Traffic Police PROHIBITS them from having motorcycle escorts, motorized safety vehicle or blocking the flow of traffic in any way.'

RIP Paul, 29 Apr 2011

2011-04-30T16:22:00.002+08:00

More sad news - on Fri 29 Apr 2011, Woon Taiwoon wrote on his blog, smallwheelbigsmile about another cyclist who died:

Photo from Woon Taiwoon's blog

"Paul, the legend and super nice guy. I met him several times on sunday rides and the last being the HP alumni Japan Charity ride..where I had an honor to try his moulton and we chatted along the ride.... and made the decision to buy one... was so looking forward to show him.....
But today morning...Paul was hit by a car driven by a drunk driver this morning at ECP and has sadly passed on. "

See "Goodbye Paul, RIP, I will miss u!"

RIP Paul.

Thanks for the alert, Kenneth.

Note Taiwoon clarifies in the comments that Paul was sitting in a van driven by his friend. Heading towards Changi Ferry Terminal for a Sedili ride, they were rear-ended by a drunk driver.

“… bicycle no brake, ah?” (Fixies in Singapore)

2011-04-30T13:04:00.001+08:00

Wikipedia states:

"A fixed-gear bicycle (or fixed-wheel bicycle, commonly known in the USA as a fixie) is a bicycle that has no freewheel, meaning it cannot coast — the pedals are always in motion when the bicycle is moving.

The sprocket is screwed directly onto a fixed hub. When the rear wheel turns, the pedals turn in the same direction. This allows a cyclist to stop without using a brake, by resisting the rotation of the cranks, and also to ride in reverse.

Track cycling in a velodrome has always used fixed-gear track bikes, but fixed-gear bicycles are now again used on the road, a trend generally seen as being led by bicycle messengers."

peonfixed says,

"Living in Lion City, a concrete jungle, cycling may not be taken seriously as a mean of transport. But nevertheless, we are a group of passionate fixie riders that appreciate a good gathering and cycling as and when we can afford to. Instead of taking it as a form of serious sport, this is a lifestyle that is adaptable for our daily living.

Its a known fact that fixie bicycles are a vast minority… for better or worse. And most obviously if you not anywhere near to a velodrome, people will be even less used to seeing one. Only provided, if they even know what a trackbike is!

The most common response that we are confronted to remarks such as:
“… bicycle no brake, ah?”

Instead of wasting our time and energy in getting pissed with the masses that perceive us unruly, lawless, brakeless hell-bent brigands; we’re having fun with those very notions.

We are PEONFX.. we are people on fix. We are an apparel company and we support fixie fashion and we want to expand fixie lifestyle. We ride with anyone and everyone that loves pedal power. Come join us on our regular 321POLO! event. There are no restrictions and regulations to come along and enjoy a good time out riding."

See also: crankarmsteady and TR Bikes and links therein.

2011-04-18T14:43:00.001+08:00

Singapore Park Connectors: cyclists can wheel out bike trail tips," by Feng Zengkun. The Straits Times 18 Apr 2011.NParks invites them to plug scenic spots, offer ideas to improve network

Click for larger image

CYCLING routes by the people, for the people.
By the year's end, cyclists in the park connectors here will have access to recommendations - provided by their fellow cyclists - to restaurants, heritage spots and scenic views along these biking trails.

Beyond this, cyclists and other park connector users will also be encouraged to offer ideas to improve the network, said Mr Bernard Lim, the assistant director of the National Parks Board's (NParks) Park Connector Network.

The information on the network, which will eventually take cyclists from Bukit Timah to Marina Bay, will be posted on the NParks website.

The data-banking is off to a rolling start.

Since NParks launched an online feedback form for members of the public in January, it has received about 10 replies a week; it also keeps in touch with local cycling groups here for their input.

Retiree Mina Chan and her friends form one such 'resource' group. Aged between 40 and 60, these avid cyclists try out a different park connector every weekend, and, for the last five years, have offered NParks updates on the condition of the tracks and alerted it to danger spots.

Ms Chan already has a route to recommend to fellow cyclists - the waterfront stretch between Alexandra Canal and the Singapore Flyer.

Another cyclist, Mr Han Jok Kwang, 56, has petitioned NParks successfully to keep the gravel stretch through hilly terrain in the western loop connector.

'I asked NParks to keep it because it gives cyclists variety,' he said.

Mr Lim said that, without Mr Han's petition, NParks may have levelled the terrain and laid tarmac so everyone - even beginner cyclists - can use it.

NParks considers suggestions as long as they do not compromise safety, he said, although such assessments can be subjective.

He said the call for input from cyclists aims to make the routes more personal for users of the park connectors. 'We spent the first few years building up the infrastructure; now let's see what else we can do with it,' he said.

The Park Connector Network consists of seven parts, to be developed by 2015 (see graphic). By then, it will have 300km of bike paths.

Mr Lim said, with the cycling community contributing information, the pan-island network can be made safer too.

'Our employees and sub-contractors check the routes every day but they cannot cover everything because the routes are too long. Having more eyes helps us catch more things.'

Mr Pan Wee Yeow, a retiree who rides twice a week, said seasoned cyclists can identify problems before injuries occur. These include blind corners that need mirrors to be set up and where speed-reducing strips may be advised. He added that regular cyclists can also spot growing problems that may otherwise go unnoticed, such as faulty lighting or algae on the paths, which makes them slippery.

NParks said it fixes minor problems such as faulty lights within two days of being notified; problems requiring more work, such as levelling bike paths to prevent jarring bumps, may take up to a week.

Mr Pan hailed NParks' move to get the public involved, given that more people are taking up cycling.

There are no statistics on the cycling population here, but cycling clubs say the number of people on two-wheelers has exploded in the last five years.

The OCBC Cycle Singapore event last month, a ride of up to 60km along East Coast Park, attracted more than 10,000 participants, twice the number two years ago.

For Mr Han, cycling is about going back to a simpler pastime.

He said: 'We have the integrated resorts, gadgets, all the fancy diversions. Sometimes, things don't need to be so high-tech. Sometimes, all you need is a road and a bike.'

Members of the public may e-mail nparks_mailbox@nparks.gov.sg to join NParks' mailing list and to get the link to the feedback form.

Should cyclists be licensed? Pass tests? Or does cycling safely just require common sense? Letters to Today Online

2011-03-31T08:29:00.001+08:00

Only the letters are available below; click to read the letters and comments,

"Cyclists should have to get licensed too." Letter from Raymund Koh Joo Guan. Today Online, 21 Mar 2011.

I refer to the article about bicycle theft being prevalent in Tampines (March 21).

The menace of bicycles everywhere and the scourge of illegally parked bicycles causing obstruction to pedestrians are not new. The authorities should consider mandating all bicycles to have registration plates and ID tags.

All bicycles should be registered with the Land Transport Authority. Cyclists need not pay road tax but they should be subjected to a toll if they wish to use the bus lanes.

Some errant cyclists ride and chat in the middle of the bus lanes, obstructing buses. While the LTA takes enforcement action against motorists caught abusing bus lanes, there isn't anyway to track offending cyclists. Therefore, registration plates for bicycles are useful.

With bicycle numbers on the raise, we have seen more cyclists riding illegally on the pavements. The Traffic Police and Town Councils have a hard time enforcing the rules. Bicycles are also sold without any move to advise cyclists that cycling on the pavement is an offence.

The authorities should make it mandatory for all cyclists to obtain a licence, similar to a motorbike license. The applicants must pass a theory test. Practical tests should be carried out on both motorised and conventional bikes.

This would drive home to the public that we take a serious view on cycling on the pavements, not to mention the use of stolen bicycles.

"Licences would make cycling less accessible." Letter from Aaron Samuel Yong Today Online, 23 Mar 2011.

I READ Mr Raymund Koh Joo Guan's letter "Cyclists should have to get licenced too" (March 21, Voices Online) with an odd mixture of empathy, bewilderment and ultimately disagreement.

As an occasional motorist, avid cyclist and frequent pedestrian, I can safely say that the cycling environment in Singapore is already bordering on hostile without adding administrative problems for cyclists on top of the existing physical ones. I myself have encountered visibly irritated drivers and had my space uncomfortably encroached upon by lumbering heavy vehicles while cycling on the road - just as brazen cyclists have made me unsettlingly wary while driving or downright cross while walking.

What Singaporeans need to understand, however, is that by most measures, cyclists are at the losing end of the transport deal.

Cycling on roads, though technically the law-abiding option, is not safe by any stretch of the imagination, no matter how many precautions both cyclists and motorists take. The excellent Park Connector network leaves me in no doubt that the Government would do even more to cater to cyclists if we were not so constrained by space, but the reality of today is that every cyclist takes a risk every time he or she journeys out onto the road.

Singapore already has a reputation for rather zealous administrative policies; a bicycle registration and cycling licensing scheme would almost certainly make us a laughing stock in the international community.

Besides being a completely unnecessary burden on the Land Transport Authority's time and resources as well as taxpayers' money, such a scheme would only serve to discourage thousands of Singaporeans from engaging in an extremely affordable, environmentally-friendly and healthy mode of transport.

To license a cyclist is to both over-complicate and completely miss the point of the activity: Cycling appeals because it is so accessible to people of all ages. I am hard-pressed to imagine a scene more ridiculous than a nine-year-old girl innocently pedalling along the East Coast Park on a S$90-bike, registration plates mounted front and back and a licence in her pocket.

It would be a scenario of unprecedented micro-management on the Government's part. What next, a pedestrian licence to drive home our serious view on jaywalking?

As for the issue of illegally-parked bicycles, I would expect the authorities to first do something about the plethora of illegally-parked (and actually registered) motorcycles obstructing pavements across the island and the motorcyclists with the audacity to tailgate passers-by while parking them, before finding fault with humble human-powered vehicles.

"Rules for cyclists to live by." Letter from Isaac Koh Zhao Jin. Today Online, 24 Mar 2011. Tests, insurance would help to ensure their safety on the roads

I REFER to the letter "Licences would make cycling less accessible" (March 23). Mr Aaron Samuel Yong correctly pointed out that cycling on the roads is not safe.

What he did not point out is that Singapore has one of the highest vehicle densities in the world and we need to adapt our traffic rules accordingly.

As a motorist, I've witnessed countless near-misses involving reckless cyclists. Many do not know the risks involved and forcing them to go through proper lessons and training would go a long way towards mitigating accidents and fatalities.

I've seen cyclists going against the flow of traffic, riding without reflectors at night and even a pair hogging two lanes during peak hours.

I would like to suggest that cyclists meet the following criteria before being allowed on the roads:

Cyclists must know and abide by existing traffic rules. Having them pass the basic/final theory tests by the Traffic Police would be sufficient.
Cyclists should be able to pass the "plank-test" required of all motorcyclists. Cyclists unable to maintain good balance pose a danger to motorists and themselves.
Cyclists need to know what safety precautions to take. Penalties should be imposed on those failing to comply.
Motorcyclists are required by law to wear crash helmets; cyclists should not be exempted.
Cyclists must be able to ride at a minimum speed to avoid holding up traffic. A minimum speed of 30kmh should be required.
Like all motorists, cyclists should be insured against accidents. Currently, motorists bear the cost of any accident involving cyclists. Cyclists must share the responsibility.

These may seem draconian but remember that, in any accident, cyclists may suffer more injuries.

It should be the cyclists' responsibility to ensure their own safety and it should never be at the expense of other road users.

Licensing cyclists is not about protecting cyclists from motorists: it's about protecting cyclists from themselves.

"Better to cycle against flow of traffic." Letter from Lim Kai Teck Andrew. Today Online, 26 Mar 2011.

I refer to the letter "Rules for cyclists to live by " by Isaac Koh Zhao Jin. I do not think he has ever met with a bicycle accident. My brother observed the traffic rules and cycled with the flow of traffic. He was unable to assess the behaviour of the motorist behind him; he was also knocked down not knowing by whom or even what kind of vehicle.

It would be so much better to cycle against the flow of traffic, so that the cyclist can determine if a motorist appears reckless or drunk, and at least in the event of being knocked down, the cyclist can note the model of the vehicle or even better, the licence number.

It it ridiculous for Mr Koh to suggest having cyclists go for basic/final theory tests. Imagine uneducated aunties or grannies being forced to take the tests. Cycling safely requires just common sense, such as not speeding when there are passers-by on the pavement, and observing the traffic crossing rules.

"Battling bicycle thieves" - Tampines GRC launches high security labels for bicycles

2011-03-31T08:17:00.002+08:00

"Battling bicycle thieves," by Ong Dai Lin. Today Online, 21 Mar 2011.

SINGAPORE - Bicycle thefts - the No 1 scourge of cyclists here - could soon become a thing of the past.

Tampines GRC yesterday became the first constituency to launch high security labels for bicycles - and the programme will be rolled out by the police and the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) to other constituencies in phases from May.

NCPC chairman Tan Kian Hoon said: "The NCPC is always looking at different ways to stop preventable crimes. As the bicycle population increases in Singapore, it is timely that we have a more proactive approach to tackling bike theft. By giving bicycles a unique identity, it would make it harder for thieves to use their stolen bikes openly."

In 2009, 1,074 cases of bike theft were reported to the police, a spike of 399 cases from 2008, prompting the police to list this as an area of concern in their 2009 crime situation report. Last year, the number of bicycle theft cases fell sharply to 719 cases. Out of these cases, some 240 bicycle thieves were caught.

In March last year, Tampines officially became Singapore's first cycling town when amended by-laws took effect to allow Tampines Town Council to take enforcement action against reckless cyclists on footways.

Yesterday, it became the first to launch the bicycle security label programme, as part of its efforts to be a "model cycling town".

Under the initiative, residents who own bicycles can obtain tamper-proof labels which contain security features. They are also encouraged to register the labels in the online Bicycle Identification System administered by Tampines Town Council.

Said Tampines GRC Member of Parliament Irene Ng: 'With more residents owning bicycles and using it as a mode of transport, we thought it will benefit our residents to work with the police to launch the bicycle security labels in Tampines."

Holland Drive resident Edwin Ang, 36, could hardly wait for the project to be extended islandwide. His S$3,000 mountain bike was stolen from outside his flat despite having a lock on it.

Said the avid cyclist: "The tamper-proof labels and getting cyclists to register their security labels is a good idea - it will be easier for the police to track stolen bikes. Thieves might think twice about stealing a bike if they know they can be traced."

Letter writer says, "Make it mandatory for cyclists to wear helmets," - what do you think?

2011-03-31T08:01:00.001+08:00

"Make it mandatory for cyclists to wear helmets," The Straits Times Forum page, 31 Mar 2011.

AS SOMEONE who has often cycled on Pulau Ubin, I was horrified to read yesterday's report ('Danger spots for cyclists on Pulau Ubin'), which said that three cyclists had died in accidents on the island since 2006.

I am appalled that many cyclists place a higher priority on their comfort than their safety. While those on the roads do not hesitate to wear helmets as they know the head gear can save their lives, cyclists on Pulau Ubin have tuned out the dangers of head injuries.

Cyclists should be educated on the importance of wearing helmets. It should also be made mandatory for those renting bicycles to wear them.

Cyclists should be told in no uncertain terms that a sweaty head is better than a broken head.

Joanna Chan (Ms)

What do you think?

"Danger spots for cyclists on Pulau Ubin" - another leisure cyclist dies

2011-03-30T08:57:00.001+08:00

Click to view the ST Infographic

"Danger spots for cyclists on Pulau Ubin," by Elizabeth Soh. The Strait Times, 30 Mar 2011. Riders unfazed by death of tourist last Friday; few wear safety helmets.

LESS than a week after a cyclist died from being flung off her bicycle on one of Pulau Ubin's steep slopes, cyclists are traversing the island, ignoring the safety signs.

More than 30 of them, some just metres apart, have been posted along some of the more notorious stretches of road, along with road humps and convex mirrors where there are blind corners.

'Steep slope ahead', 'Slow' or 'Dismount', the signs warn, but cyclists - whether or not they have heard of the death last Friday of Chinese tourist Nao Xue Ping, 45 - are unfazed.

They blaze down the island's hilly, twisty trails with which they are unfamiliar, and few, if any, wear helmets.

Madam Nao, who was also not wearing a helmet, lost control of her bicycle as she was going downhill along Jalan Batu Ubin. Flung forward, she died of head injuries on her way to hospital.

Two Singaporeans died in similar accidents there in 2006 and 2008; Ubin villagers count an average of 10 serious cycling accidents a month, all in the same hot spots - Jalan Batu Ubin, the stretch near Belatok Hut, Jalan Mamam, the road leading to Chek Jawa Reserve and Jalan Wat Siam or 'Cemetery Hill'. All have either steep slopes or abrupt bends.

Bicycle shop owners there say the accidents are almost always the same, caused by ignorance of the dangerous terrain and riders not wearing helmets.

'Most biking injuries occur when the cyclist slams on the brakes in panic while going down a slope fast,' said bike shop owner Sit Chin Chwee, 58, who showed how a sudden engagement of the front brakes would propel the rear of the bike into the air and pitch the rider off.

Operators in the five shops The Straits Times spoke to say that not even one in 10 of those renting bicycles rents helmets; neither do they pay attention to safety briefings by the shop owners.

Mr Harry Yeo, 45, who has run a bicycle rental shop there for more than a decade, said: 'I invested in more than 100 helmets two years ago, hoping to promote safety, but to date, not even five have been rented out.'

Little good came from his playing safety evangelist and handing helmets out free with bike rentals. He said: 'When I give them out free, they don't wear them and lose them. I give up.'

Emergency doctors say a helmet could have saved Madam Nao. Dr Kenneth Heng of Tan Tock Seng Hospital said a helmet can cut the risk of head injury by 88 per cent, and the risk of facial injury by 65 per cent.

But comfort seems to come first.

Polytechnic student Daniel Lee, 20, who cycles up Jalan Wat Siam because the trail there is 'the most exciting', said: 'When I wear the helmet, my head gets hot and sweaty and I can't enjoy the scenery, so what's the point?'

And there are the cyclists who think they take enough precautions.

Mr Albert Soo, 33, who was cycling without a helmet yesterday, said: 'I don't go too fast. To get down the slope, I dismount and push my bicycle when I need to.'

Road signs aside, the authorities have tried raising safety awareness by opening the 45ha Ketam Bike Park near the islands' Ketam Quarry. This park has trails with defined levels of difficulty and signs reminding riders to don helmets.

In February last year, the Land Transport Authority closed Jalan Wat Siam after two cyclists died from head injuries in falls on a steep slope there.

When The Straits Times visited the site, a barrier stood across it and signs barring unauthorised vehicles were up, but the road is still accessible to dare-devils who inch around the barrier.

Cycling associations have called for even more to be done to promote cycling safety on the island.

Mr Alvin Goh, the leader of cycling interest group Joyriders, said: 'It may seem like common sense to get off your bike if you are not fit or confident enough to tackle difficult roads, but many people do not. There has to be proper education and maybe even direct supervision in dangerous areas.'

Mr Kelvin Liew, the team manager of SMUX-tremists, the outdoor adventure wing of the Singapore Management University, advised those going off road on Ubin to wear helmets, gloves and knee guards and avoid the 'more technical' stretches of roads if they are beginners.

They should also carry mini first aid kits and the Ubin map, which has the contact number of the Ubin police post.

esoh@sph.com.sg

Additional reporting by Neo Wen Tong and Rocco Hu

Thanks to WildSingapore for the alert.

"Chinese tourist dies in Ubin bike accident," by Elizabeth Soh. The Straits Times, 29 Mar 2011.

A CHINESE tourist has died after being flung off her bicycle on a stretch of road known for accidents.

Madam Nao Xueping, 45, suffered severe head injuries in the fall on Pulau Ubin last Friday. She was rushed to hospital but died on the way.

It is understood that she and her friend, Singapore Chinese chess grandmaster Tay Siang Hock, 76, were not wearing helmets.

Mr Tay told Lianhe Wanbao that Madam Nao had cycled ahead of him up a slope. He was unable to catch up so she cycled back down to help him. As she was doing so, her bicycle appeared to hit an object, causing her to lose control and flinging her forward. He said she started to throw up blood and lost consciousness following the accident.

The stretch of road called Jalan Batu is one of several places on Pulau Ubin where there have been multiple cycling accidents and even deaths. Other places include Jalan Wat Siam, dubbed Cemetery Hill. There were an average of four accidents a month on that stretch in 2008, according to media reports at the time.

There were two fatal accidents on the trail in 2006 and 2008, which led to it being closed in July last year.

Another danger area is a slope in front of Belatok Hut, where TV personality Dennis Chew was flung off his bicycle while descending, breaking his arm and four teeth, in 2007.

Avid cyclist Benjamin Huang, 26, who has been cycling on Pulau Ubin twice a month for the past six years, told The Straits Times that he and two friends were thrown from their bicycles in an accident along Jalan Batu in August.

Fortunately, there were no injuries as all three were wearing helmets and knee guards.

He said it is easy for cyclists to underestimate how steep the slopes on Pulau Ubin are. 'They don't realise as they are going down how fast the bicycle is going, so they panic and slam on their brakes, which flings them off their bikes,' he said. 'They also need to wear helmets - it could save their lives.'

Survey: Cycling in Singapore by Zing Lim

2011-01-21T03:30:00.000+08:00

From Zing Lim:
-------------------------------
Hello! This is a survey about cycling in Singapore. Whether you already cycle, don't cycle or cannot cycle, I'd like to hear from you. I’m trying to measure the latent demand for cycling as a form of transport.

Not many people here cycle for transport. Too hot? Roads unsafe? No bike? Just don’t like cycling? And if we could change certain things, would you cycle for transport? Tell me and tell me why.

This survey is online and takes about 20 mins. Whether you like cycling or not, please share your honest opinion. And when you’re done, please pass the survey to your friends! Every response counts.

Here's the link: http://abetterride.wordpress.com/

Many thanks,
Zing Lim

Fatal accident at Changi Coastal Road. RIP Major CAI Xiu Ming

2011-01-04T23:31:00.001+08:00

Tragic news. My heart goes out to the family.

Teo Kwang Liak edited this Google Translation of the omy news article (04 Jan 2011) about the fatal accident along Changi Coastal Road.

Our condolences to the family of Major Cai Xiu Ming. Rest in peace. And we hope for the recovery of Wang Weiqiang.

"Changi Coastal Road traffic accident: lorry slams bicycle from behind, Major dies," by Wu XiaoJun. Shin Min Daily News, 04 Jan 2011."

"An Air Force Major with his friend were cycling along Changi Coast Road early in the morning, when they were rammed from behind by a lorry. The Major died while the friend suffers serious injury.

This occurs around 7am yesterday along a road which is known for speeding vehicles.

The deceased Caixiu Ming (47), was an Air Force Major. He had two kids and lived in a private house at Mountbatten with his family members.

Cai's father (73 years old, retiree) said that his son was taking an off-in-lieu and went riding with his friends, early in the morning around 5.

"He has put on his cycling clothes and headgear and left for the ride. I never expected to received the news of his accident at 7am."

It is believed that the deceased and his friend was somehow hit from behind by a lorry.

The deceased suffered internal bleeding and was pronounced dead five hours later at 12:50 yesterday after efforts to rescue him by the hospital failed. The deceased's friend Wang Weiqiang (40), has his lungs punctured by ribs, along with shoulder, spine and right elbow injuries, and abrasions on his right cheek. He is now under observation after surgery.

Police confirmed that they were notified of the accident at 7:45am yesterday. A 50-year-old lorry driver is now assisting police investigation into the accident. The police also called on witnesses to call the hotline 1800-5471818 to provide details."

Thanks also to Airani S. and Alvin Wong for help with the translation of the title.

"Safe cycling campaign participant meets tragic end on the roads," by Ong Dai Lin. Today, 05 Jan 2010. Avid cyclist dies following collision with lorry.

SINGAPORE - The year 2010 ended with a campaign to promote safe cycling. But on Monday, a Singapore Armed Forces regular who took part in the campaign became the first cyclist casualty of this year.

Mr Chua Shiu Beng, 45, was cycling along Changi Coast Road with his colleague Kenneth Wong, 40, when they were involved in a collision with a lorry at 7.45am.

Both men, who are military experts with the Republic of Singapore Air Force, were sent to Changi General Hospital, where Mr Chua died from his injuries at about 12.50pm.

The lorry driver, a man in his late 50s, is now assisting the police with investigations.

The lorry was changing lanes when the collision occurred, reported Lianhe Wanbao, which quoted Mr Chua's 73-year-old father as saying that his son left home at 5am to cycle.

Mr Chua would usually return home at 9am. At 10am, the family called his mobile phone. At 11am, they received a call from the hospital. Mr Chua's wife told MediaCorp the whole family was greatly saddened over his death.

His colleague, who suffered multiple abrasions, could not remember what happened and did not know that Mr Chua had died when the Wanbao reporter visited him in hospital.

The Chinese evening daily reported that Mr Chua, an avid cyclist of 10 years, had never met with any accident before this.

The father of a 12-year-old boy and an eight-year-old girl had participated in the 40km OCBC Cycle Singapore event in 2009 and last year.

The bank launched its month-long safe cycling campaign on Nov 29 last year to encourage cyclists and drivers to observe the 1.5m safety distance between bicycles and vehicles.

Offering its condolences to Mr Chua's family, OCBC head of group corporate communications Koh Ching Ching said: "The OCBC Cycle Singapore Safe Cycling Campaign that we launched in November last year aims to raise awareness of the importance of both cyclists and motorists observing traffic rules while using the roads and keeping a safe distance from each other.

"We hope this message will continue to spread among all road users."

Nineteen cyclists were killed on the roads in 2009 and 22 the year before. Statistics for cycling fatalities last year are not yet available.

NTU Bike Rally 2011

2011-01-04T00:18:00.001+08:00

NTU Sports Club's round island Bike Rally is upon us once again. They have been identified in this blog in previous years as the only annual round island ride. Organised principally for undergraduates, the even is open to the public and I have ridden with them since 2003.

The NTU Bike Rally is an excellent way to attempt your first round island ride of at least 128km; there are many rest stops and since all participants wear an event t-shirt, you can spot fellow-event cyclists both in front of and behind. Circling all the cyclists are the NTU Sports Club members and volunteers who work to keep the participants safe.

This is not a competitive race for cyclists to speed from check point to check point but rather a safe ride of discovery. This is typified by the NTU undergraduates, most of whom will be renting a bicycle for the occasion and many of whom are holiday cyclists. I rode a rental from Kranji to Serangoon one year before rain cancelled the ride and I can attest to the higher level of difficulty a rental bicycle is! Add to that the much longer hours under a hot sun that the newbies are exposed to and you will be inspired by their tenacity. Well of course, they do have youth on their side, so I am not abandoning my cmnfortable ride for a rental!

The registration fees are $15 for NTU Student/ Staff/ Alumni, and $26 for members of the public. Registration closes on 13th February 2011. For more details, see http://bikerally.ntusportsclub.sg/

Bike Maryland Symposium 2010 videos

2011-01-02T16:07:00.001+08:00

Bike Maryland Symposium 2010 videos and presenter slides are available here

Just take a look at the diversity of titles and issues addressed! Perhaps LTA sould send someone to attend the 2011 symposium in February!

"Maryland Department of Transportation: A Greener Way To Go." Presented by Secretary Beverley Swaim-Staley.
"Public Health and Transportation: Exploring the Inextricable Link
Presented by Keshia M. Pollack, PhD, MPH; Assistant Professor, Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
"Commuter Choice Maryland and Commuter Connections." Presented by Buddy Alves, Senior Marketing Specialist, Commuter Choice Maryland, Maryland Transit Administration and Nick Ramfos, Director, Commuter Connections, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.
"One Less Car’s Legislative Bike Agenda." Presented by Greg Hinchliffe, Chairman, Mayor's Bicycle Advisory Committee and Chair of the Maryland Committee of East Coast Greenway; Adiva Sotzsky, Dedicated Advocate.
"Bicycling!." Presented by Alex Obriecht, owner of 5 Race Pace/Bella Bikes bicycle shops in MD; 32 years in business; honored as a ‘Trek Legend’ and much more.
"Transportation for Maryland." Presented by Jennifer Bevan-Dangel, 1000 Friends of Maryland Deputy Director.
"Bicycling Advocates of Howard County (BAHC)." Presented by Jack Guarneri, BAHC President.
"Maryland’s Interactive Trail Map." Presented by Sylvia Ramsey, Manager, Community Enhancement Programs.
"Maryland’s Safe Routes to School Program: Building transportation alternatives today for our children’s tomorrow.." Presented by Joe Pelaia, Maryland’s Safe Routes to School Program Coordinator, Maryland State Highway Administration, Maryland Highway Safety Office.
"Campaign for Active Transportation." Presented by Kartik Sribarra, Manager of Policy Outreach, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.

For videos and slides, visit Bike Maryland.

Media on OCBC Cycle Singapore's Safe Cycling Campaign, 18 Dec 2010

2010-12-29T11:28:00.000+08:00

The OCBC Cycle Singapore Safe Cycling Campaign on 18 Dec 2010 [weblink, press release] received excellent coverage leading up to and after the event, with several articles in local media raising awareness and discussing the issue about sharing the roads. The articles are listed here chronologically.

"OCBC Cycle S'pore Launches Safety Campaign." The New Paper, 07 Dec 2010.
"How realistic is this safety rule?" By Chong Zi Liang. The Straits Times, 16 Dec 2010.
"Cyclists wish for safer rides," by David Lim. MyPaper, 17 Dec 2010.
"Safe cycling campaign launched," by S Ramesh. ChanelnewsAsia, 18 Dec 2010.
"Singapore Kicks Off Safe Cycling Campaign," by Danson Cheong. The New Paper, 21 Dec 2010.

-------------------------------

"OCBC Cycle S'pore Launches Safety Campaign." The New Paper, 07 Dec 2010.

A NEW campaign to promote safe cycling was launched on Monday.

Called the OCBC Cycle Singapore Safe Cycling Campaign, it aims to raise awareness of the need for both cyclists and motorists to respect each other.

Its motto? "1.5m matters. Share the road", aims to send the message to cyclists and motorists to stay 1.5m from one another.

You can get one of the 50,000 car decals which will be given out to motorists who refuel at Caltex stations.

If you are spotted with the decal on your vehicle from now to Dec 18, your registration plate will be recorded and entered into a lucky draw on Dec 20.

20 winners

You could be one of 20 winners who will get $200 worth of Caltex vouchers.The results of the lucky draw will be posted on the OCBC Cycle Singapore website (www.ocbc.cyclesingapore.com.sg) and the Radio 91.3 website (www.radio913.com).

Dec 18 has also been dedicated as Safe Cycling Day and 2,000 cycling jerseys will be distributed, mainly at the Longhouse hawker centre along Upper Thomson Road, that morning.

The organisers hope most of the people who get the jerseys will wear them when cycling on that day. The campaign was launched by OCBC Bank and Spectrum Worldwide, an events and marketing company.

Mr Chris Robb, Spectrum's managing director, said: "Cycling has grown tremendously in Singapore over the past few years and we are seeing more cyclists on our road than ever before.

"As the organiser of the biggest mass participation cycling event on closed roads here, we feel it is our responsibility to promote the safe cycling message."

The third annual OCBC Cycle Singapore event will take place from March 4 to 6 next year, and will feature a professional night race for the first time.

-------------------------------

"How realistic is this safety rule?" By Chong Zi Liang. The Straits Times, 16 Dec 2010.

AS AN avid cyclist who rides 20km to and from work on his foldable bike every day, Mr Bryan Teo has had his fair share of close brushes with fellow road users. 'Sometimes, the cars come so close just to send a message that you have no place on the road,' said the 35-year-old store manager of a Starbucks coffee outlet in Raffles Place.

Not only are cyclists entitled to use the roads, but the handbook for the driving final theory test also states that motorists should give 1.5m of space when passing bicycles - something most motorists do not do after collecting their licences.

But motorists say they already try to give cyclists as wide a berth as road conditions allow, and it is simply impossible to adhere to the 1.5m distance in heavy traffic.

'How do we keep that distance if there are other cars in the second lane? All we can do is slow down while passing the cyclist,' said Mr Kong Yew On, 51, a construction contractor who drives frequently in his job.

The Singapore Road Safety Council (SRSC) shared this view. Its chairman, Mr Bernard Tay, pointed out that since the leftmost traffic lane cyclists use is about 3.7m wide, keeping a 1.5m distance will require the motorist to encroach partly into the adjacent traffic lane. This is not possible when all lanes are used in heavy traffic.

'SRSC urges motorists to accept that the cyclists also have a right to use the road and to always keep a reasonable, safe passing distance, which the prevailing traffic conditions permit,' said Mr Tay, who is also president of the Automobile Association of Singapore.

Even so, an ongoing OCBC Cycle Singapore Safe Cycling Campaign, launched on Nov 29, is trying to drive home the message with the tagline: '1.5m matters. Share the road.'

Through car decals and cycling jerseys bearing the campaign slogan, as well as radio contests, the campaign hopes to encourage drivers to keep a safe distance from cyclists.

This is the first time that OCBC Cycle Singapore - the largest mass cycling event here - has organised a safe cycling campaign. The event is into its third year and will take place in March next year.

Seven cyclists were killed in the first five months of this year - up from three in the same period in 2009. In the whole of last year, 17 cyclists involved in accidents were killed, compared with 22 in 2008.

Cyclists like Ms Angeline Tan, 32, acknowledge the 1.5m distance is more of a guideline than a hard and fast rule. Still, she believes the campaign has value because it will raise awareness that cyclists, too, belong on the road. The documentary content researcher cycles about three times a week in a group of about 10 before dawn to avoid traffic.

Cyclists have mooted the idea of having bike lanes on the roads in the past, but this was rejected by the Land Transport Authority, citing space constraints. Instead, cycling lanes are increasingly being built next to footpaths.

With cycling gaining popularity both as a form of exercise and transport, cyclists say both drivers and cyclists need to be more accommodating.

And though cyclists have horror stories of belligerent drivers, they admit that they have seen cyclists who give them a bad name by riding without a helmet, beating red lights and even riding against the flow of traffic.

But Member of Parliament Teo Ser Luck, a biking enthusiast himself, pointed out that cyclists always bear the brunt of accidents no matter whose fault it is. So motorists should make the effort to give cyclists a safe riding environment, he said.

'A light bump on a car will just cause a dent, but a light bump on a cyclist can send him flying and that will either be fatal or cause serious injuries,' said the MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC.

ziliang@sph.com.sg

-------------------------------

"Cyclists wish for safer rides," by David Lim. MyPaper, 17 Dec 2010.

CYCLISTS here find it hard to enjoy their sport because of long-standing concerns over road safety.

Some, like bank dealer and cycling enthusiast Pang Meng Yam, told my paper yesterday that he has to cycle either late at night or in the wee hours, when there are fewer vehicles on the road

Even so, he has had close shaves with drivers. "I've encountered people who drove up close and tried to scare me while I was cycling," he said.

That is why he is wary of taking his two children - Crystal, 10, and Maximus, eight - out for long rides on roads.

Instead, he and his wife, Carol, take them to parks with cycling routes, even though these can be too short for fun rides.

"If there are better safety measures, we would take the kids for rides on the road and enjoy the scenery in places like Lim Chu Kang," said Mr Pang.

He would be pleased, then, to learn that OCBC Cycle Singapore will be launching its new Safe Cycling Campaign ahead of the third edition of its mass-cycling event on March 4 to 6.

The campaign's tagline is "1.5m matters. Share the road", a reference to the distance motorists should keep between their vehicles and bicycles when they overtake cyclists on the road.

Tomorrow marks the campaign's "Safe Cycling Day", when cyclists are encouraged to gather for a mass ride starting from Longhouse hawker centre in Upper Thomson Road.

Mr Victor Yew, president of the Singapore Amateur Cycling Association, said: "We hope to raise awareness and educate all parties on the road. The 1.5m distance is basically a guideline, and the rest is up to drivers' discretion."

Cyclists here have proposed adding cycling lanes - such as those found in Melbourne, Amsterdam, Copenhagen and Berlin - to roads. But the idea was rejected by the Land Transport Authority, citing space constraints.

Mr Pang agrees that there is not enough land here to accommodate cycling lanes, but suggested the setting up of shared lanes for public transport and cyclists on weekend nights, when cyclists face less risk of being hit by a vehicle.

Fellow cycling enthusiast Eugene Oh suffered abrasions and a broken rib earlier this year when he was hit by a car while cycling in a group.

The 36-year-old said: "It really depends on how much importance the authorities place on the issue. The only way for people to pay attention is to impose appropriate punishment."

-------------------------------

"Safe cycling campaign launched," by S Ramesh. ChanelnewsAsia, 18 Dec 2010.

SINGAPORE: More efforts are being made in Singapore to promote cycling in a safe environment.

This was conveyed through the OCBC Safe Cycling Campaign launched on Saturday, in which 9,000 cyclist will be taking part.

The key message of the campaign is "1.5M Matters. Share the Road".

Observing the safe distance of 1.5 metres from each other and obeying traffic rules would enable both cyclists and motorists to enjoy a safe journey on the roads.

The month-long campaign will see some 50,000 car decals and 2,000 cycling jerseys being distributed.

The campaign aims to raise the awareness of the need for both cyclists and motorists to respect each other and share the roads.

Organisers say safe cycling on public roads can be achieved as long as both parties play their part in observing traffic rules and keeping a safe distance from each other.

OCBC Safe Cycling Campaign organiser Chris Robb said people in other cities in the world overcome climate challenges of cycling.

"You hear stories about London where there are thousands of people cycling to work in (the) freezing cold; in snow, rain, and if they can do it those conditions, why can't we do it here in Singapore?

"Get to work half an hour early, have a shower cool down and go to work," he said.

-------------------------------

"Singapore Kicks Off Safe Cycling Campaign," by Danson Cheong. The New Paper, 21 Dec 2010.

MORE than 2,000 cyclists kicked off Singapore's first Safe Cycling Day at Longhouse Food Centre along Upper Thomson Road Saturday.

Longhouse is the de facto weekend meeting point for cyclists.

Safe Cycling Day is part of the OCBC Cycle Singapore Safe Cycling Campaign, which was launched on Nov 29 by the organisers of OCBC Cycle Singapore, the largest cycling event here.

Despite the ominous-looking sky, the organisers gave out a whopping 2,000 safe-cycling jerseys to cyclists who thronged the popular eating spot.

Cyclists donned the jerseys, bearing the campaign's tag line "1.5m matters. Share the road", before heading out for their rides.

According to driving theory handbooks, drivers have to give cyclists 1.5m of space when overtaking them.

The 1.5m rule made the news recently, when a report in The Straits Times last Thursday debated the practicality of giving cyclists such a wide berth in space-crunched Singapore.

Experts said the rule might not be applicable in all situations. To cyclists, however, the extra space can mean the difference between life and death.

Survivors

Ask Mr Jeffrey Ng, Mr Jason Yip or Mr David Ng.

Other than a love for bicycles, the three men have something else in common.

All three are survivors of traffic accidents which happened while they were cycling on the road.

Mr Yip, 23, was commuting to work in 2006 when he got side-swiped by a bus and Mr David Ng, 22, was hit from behind by a car in August while he was riding to meet his training group.

Mr Jeffrey Ng had his brush with death just recently.

The 57-year-old retiree was riding in a group at night along Loyang Avenue on Nov 28 when he was hit from behind.

Mr Ng recounted: "I had just turned left from a filter lane when a 10-foot lorry made a U-turn and hit me from behind."

According to him, both he and his bike were pinned under the lorry and dragged for about two metres.

He said: "When it happened, I grabbed a bar on the lorry's undercarriage and just held on for dear life. My friends thought I was finished."

Apart from a bad case of road rash and bike damages totalling about $5,000, Mr Ng emerged relatively unscathed, which was "miraculous", he said.

Many other cyclists weren't so lucky.
This year, seven local cyclists lost their lives in road accidents between January and May - the figure is more than double the three persons killed in the same period last year.

In total, 17 cyclists and their pillion riders were killed in road accidents last year. In 2008, the number was 22.

With more Singaporeans taking up road cycling as a sport and hobby, it is inevitable for the number to rise.

The trio, who have more than 10 years of cycling experience between them, were wearing helmets and had proper lights for visibility when the accidents happened.

The younger Mr Ng, an undergraduate, said: "Accidents can happen to any rider, regardless of how protected you are. That's why the 1.5m distance is so critical."

Mr Yip pointed out: "If the bus driver had given me just a little bit more space, I wouldn't have been flung off the bike."

During his accident, Mr Yip was thrown behind the bus on the left-most lane. His bicycle, worth $2,000, landed in a wreck on the centre lane.

While the trio said that both drivers and cyclists could be at fault during accidents, they pointed out that drivers in Singapore "do not know how to react with cyclists on the road".

Said Mr Yip: "Aside from a brief mention in theory handbooks, learner drivers don't learn hands-on skills about driving with cyclists.

"We need to implement some guidelines governing interaction between both parties."

The younger Mr Ng added: "A small percentage of drivers feel we shouldn't even be on the roads. We need to change that mindset."

To that end, the group agreed that the OCBC Safe Cycling Campaign was a step in the right direction.

However, they are sceptical of any lasting impact without concrete government support.

That said, cyclists themselves could start to foster a friendlier riding environment.

For starters, riders could start by obeying rules.

Cyclists, even the most disciplined among them, commonly beat traffic lights.

The older Mr Ng said: "Many of us like to ride fast and rush past the lights. But what's the rush? What's important is that you reach home safely."

The younger Mr Ng also suggested that cyclists should stay behind cars instead of weaving in and out of vehicles at traffic lights.

He said: "I'm a driver too, and I know drivers hate that."

Mr Yip, who collected a safe cycling jersey of his own Saturday, said: "If you want to gain the respect and change the attitudes of drivers, look at your behaviour first.

"Ride safely and obey traffic rules."

Yokota Fritz's Cyclelicious bike route application now works for Singapore

2010-12-29T10:27:00.001+08:00

Yokota Fritz wrote to say his "bike route application now works for Singapore. The routing engine is from MapQuest, and cycleway data comes from OpenStreetMap project, so if there are mistakes or shortcomings, users can fix the map info directly and quickly."

Head over to try it out at cyclelicio.us/map and let us know what you think. I gave it a quick look for Holland Village to Changi Village and this is what it spat out; I like the elevantion and biccle relevant directions and timing. Google Maps' bicycle option choked on this.

20101201 : next phase

2010-11-26T16:50:00.002+08:00

To me, the coming December first will be the start of a new phase. I will be leaving my 21 years comfort zone in Philips and starting all on my own. It feels like jumping off a big ship and throwing myself (and family) into the open sea. This seems silly but not if you can see what I am seeing while cruising on the big ship. The vision I have is to help make bicycling an easier and better choice for many people. This vision connect to my belief that bicycle will be an important solution to many problems that we face in modern cities. Such belief is so strong that I lost motivation to continue with the same routine job. I find it necessary to follow my heart and do something more meaningful.

My close friends and family ask with great concern, “How are you going to sustain financially?” I have savings but certainly not enough to sustain for a long time-if we continue to spend without adjustment. The key question is how much is enough to live a happy, stress free life? I need to find that out, together with my wife and two sons. I am blessed and thankful that they are supportive in my decision.

Leaving the financial uncertainty aside, I am really looking forward to the “office hour free” days. I should be able to spend more time riding, blogging, teaching, designing, selling and promoting bicycles, or bicycle related activities. I should be able to apply what I have learnt throughout the 21 years working in Philips, in a new way. Knowing the advantages and limitations a big organization encounter, helps. Having years of experience of working and living in Holland and seeing first hand how bicycle can be a viable transport solution also helps. I learnt a lot from my Philips colleagues and they will continue to be my inspiration and resources.

The Singapore Government has allocated 43 million dollars to improve bicycle infrastructure in seven cycling towns. This is peanuts if compared to the multi-billion dollars road construction works for cars, yet it is a fundamental paradigm shift from the authority: from ignoring to recognition! The same trend is happening in advanced Asia cities like Hong Kong, Taipei and Shanghai. There is still a long way to go before bicycling become as safe and popular as in Holland. I can see there is a lot needs to be done and I am sure there are ways that I can contribute and also make a living from by helping shorten this transition period.

- Francis Chu AKA Chu Wa

Foldies take centerstage this morning at TEDxNUS

2010-10-16T20:34:00.001+08:00

Simon Siah talked about cycling and touring ("you get to stop to smell the flowers or check out the girls...") on his foldable bike and ended the session with a quick draw with "...his trusty fellow B riders, Uncle Steven, Derek, Hui Hui and Danny":

Video by Carlos Miranda

"Bicycle thieves get bolder" (Straits Times, 13 Oct 2010)

2010-10-13T09:59:00.001+08:00

"Bicycle thieves get bolder, " by Amanda Tan. The Straits Times, 13 Oct 2010. They are climbing over gates to steal pricey bikes from homes.

"SOFTWARE engineer Josephine Koh woke up one morning to find three of her four bicycles missing from the porch of her semi-detached house in Telok Kurau.

They were worth more than $1,000 in total. There was no trace of the thief nor any sign of a break-in.

'They must have sneaked in from my neighbour's house. Their gate is usually not locked and the thieves could have climbed over the dividing wall and into our place,' said Madam Koh of the theft, which occurred last year.

Even as more people in Singapore get into the cycling and triathlon habit with bigger and better bicycles, bicycle thieves are getting bolder.

They are now zooming in on bicycles that can cost thousands of dollars. They no longer target bicycles left in the open but boldly enter private compounds to filch them.

Residents in the eastern part of Singapore seem to be particularly vulnerable. A spate of about 10 such cases in private estates there in the past two months has prompted the police to send out advisory letters to residents.

In the letters, sent out in the past two weeks, police say that the thieves have been gaining entry into homes by climbing over the gates and removing bicycles left unsecured on the porch.

In one case, two slim Chinese men, each about 1.62m tall, were spotted within the compound of a house, said the advisory. 'We believe the culprits are targeting expensive bicycles,' it added.

The police told The Straits Times yesterday that a 30-year-old man was caught last month after stealing a $7,000 bicycle from a house in Simei. He has since been charged.

Cycling has become more popular here, with dedicated cycling tracks in neighbourhoods such as Tampines. More people are also buying expensive bicycles - a high-end Cannondale model can cost $20,000 - for events such as triathlons.

Bicycle thefts have also increased sharply. Last year, 1,074 were stolen, up from 675 in 2008.

While the police assured residents in the east that they had stepped up patrols, they also advised home owners to keep their bicycles inside their houses and away from the view of passers-by. They could also lock their bicycles to fixed permanent structures and use strong locks.

Bicycle owners are also urged to make permanent identification marks on their bicycles and keep records like receipts and photographs.

A check at two private residential estates in Bedok yesterday showed that many home owners leave their shiny, expensive-looking bicycles on their front porches, with many left unsecured. A number of front gates were left wide open with no one in sight.

Some residents said they were taking more precautions with their bicycles after receiving the advisory.

Primary school teacher Chris De Souza, 62, said he used to leave his gate latched but unlocked. He has since started padlocking his gate.

He owns four bicycles that cost about $1,000 each, which he leaves in his backyard covered with a tarpaulin sheet.

Still, residents are not overly worried.

A 54-year-old housewife, who wanted to be known only as Mrs Baey, said: 'We'll just make sure we lock the gate but we will still leave the bicycles out here. It's quite safe here.'

Bicycle theft can be lucrative as such thefts are usually hard to trace, bicycle shop owners said. High-end bicycles sold second-hand can easily fetch $1,000 each, especially if they are in good condition and relatively new.

Bigger stores are usually wary of taking in second-hand bicycles as they cannot tell if they are stolen. But there are some tell-tale signs that suggest a bicycle was obtained dishonestly.

'Such people usually come in on the pretext that they are selling for someone else and will not have much knowledge about the bike or its value,' said Mr Walton Seah, owner of Attitude Bikes, which sells custom-made bicycles.

'I have encountered such people but I always say no. We just don't know where it came from.'"

tamanda@sph.com.sg

How to protect your bikeSome bicycle shop operators offer tips on how owners can protect their two-wheelers:

Choose the right place to park
Areas with high human traffic are more secure than quiet stairwells or under bridges, said Mr Gilbert Loo, 38, of bike shop Hup Leong Company. 'Thieves won't be so daring if there are people walking about, but if the bicycle is hidden away by the owner, it actually makes it easier for thieves to steal,' he added.

Use a secure bicycle lock
Bicycle locks can cost from a few dollars to nearly $100. Mr Francis Tay, 47, the owner of L&T Cycle, said he always recommends the Kryptonite brand of U-locks to customers because they are made from high-quality steel. 'It costs $60, but it's very hard and will hold up well against steel cutters,' he added.

Secure the bicycle frame and tyres
Bicycle wheels are easy to dismantle, so locking just one wheel and the frame may not be enough to deter a thief. The rear wheel of a bicycle should be locked to its frame with a chain or U-lock, and another chain should be used to secure the front wheel as well.

See also this previous post, "Is Kembangan bike theft central?" from Mar 2008.

Flip the script

2010-10-04T18:33:00.002+08:00

"Ban cars from cities" sounds absurb but the more I think about it the more it makes perfect sense. If we "flip the script" and liken car-driving as a modern day addiction but only more damaging than cigarette smoking. It would be logical to expect cars to be banned from the public road based on the similar argument to ban smoking in public space.

This 40 years old speech is simply brilliant:

via Jz88.com

The 11 most bicycle-friendly cities in the world

2010-09-30T12:33:00.001+08:00

Via: Motorcycle Insurance

Thanks to Tym via twitter @bubblevicious

Full day bus lanes good for cycling?

2010-09-14T10:00:00.000+08:00

The Bike Commuting in SG blog pointed out recently that the all-day bus lanes are a boon for bicycle users:

Don't you like having your own quasi-private lanes 7.30 - 8pm in Singapore's most crowded and annoying roads?

What do you think?

The lack of bicycle lights on an early Sunday morning

2010-09-02T05:06:00.001+08:00

As I cycled down past MacRitchie last Sunday morning, I was struck with the sight of a roadie who overtook us - she had neither lights nor reflectors.

Despite it being a weekend, there was still plenty of traffic at 7am. Lights and a colourful jersey are critical for road safety especially in the early morning light.

How brightly lit are you?

Who should be liable in road crashes involving bicycles?

2010-09-01T09:06:00.001+08:00

If a car and a bicycle collide who should be held mostly responsible for any damage or injuries? Most people in Singapore will say, 'well it depends'.

But in the Netherlands, it will almost always be the motorist who is held primarily responsible, even if they broke no road rules. Does that seem crazy to you? Read on.

In assessing compensation payments after road crashes, Singapore's approach is similar to that of the USA, the UK and many other Commonwealth countries. To be held primarily responsible for a crash, it generally has to be proven that you were negligent or in violation of the road rules.

Contrast this with how it works in the Netherlands!

Watch the video below about the Dutch approach to liability in road crashes.

The Netherlands uses a so-called 'strict liability' principle for such crashes. Much greater responsibility for avoiding collisions is placed on the larger, faster vehicles. Pedestrians or cyclists who are struck by a motor vehicle can claim for compensation from the motorists' insurance company without having to prove any negligence by the driver. So the onus is primarily on motorists to avoid crashing into cyclists or pedestrians. For the purpose of compensation claims, a motor vehicle driver in a collision with a bicycle will usually be held responsible (or mainly responsible) even if the cyclist made a mistake or behaved a little foolishly (up to a point of course).

Does this seem fair to you? Would it change your attitudes as a driver? Would it change your behaviour as a cyclist?

Note that 'strict liability' places a duty of care on cyclists too - towards pedestrians! Did you see the text near the end? The same philosophy means that a cyclist will usually be held primarily responsible for ~~not~~ hitting someone on foot, even if the pedestrian did something stupid.

Are the bicycle-crazy Dutch the only ones to have such a strange policy? No! According to the video, many European countries have the same approach as the Dutch. And according to Tokyo by Bike a similar policy applies in Japan:

In the event of an accident, when the enforcement of the law actually kicks in Japan attributes blame to the larger party. In a car against bicycle bout, the driver of the car is automatically at fault even if the cyclist was riding the wrong way down a one way street holding their umbrella while listening to their iPod. When a cyclist injures a pedestrian the cyclist is at fault, and the person deemed to be at fault covers the medical expenses of the other party.

Maybe Singapore should consider this too?

By the way, the video is from a UK campaign pushing for a Strict Liability approach to be adopted there (for civil cases only). It is supported by the Environmental Law Foundation, Safer Streets Coalition, Play England and CTC.

Hat tip Momentum magazine.

How brightly lit are you? Tail lights and other stories

2010-08-14T10:20:00.001+08:00

My friends and I in Zendogs try to ride safely and probably since I spend the most time in heavy traffic, I am the most concerned. My getup reflects this:

Bright, flashing lights - front and rear

Amongst other factors and some good luck, lights are a significant part of keeping safe in both day and night. I have always been willing to fork out cash for lights which help keep me safe. And I have been surprised when some cyclists are hesitant about doing likewise. I am puzzled when cyclists on expensive racers speed by on an early morning ride, just as poorly lit as the foreign worker on some ramshackle bicycle, who is always held up as the epitome of the unsafe cyclist.

The lack of demand for good lights by local cyclists has meant a limited range in neighbourhood bicycle shops. We used to travel to specific shops from word of mouth recommendations just to get a particular type of light. Eventually, more of us travelled overseas for work and internet purchasing became easier and good lights were no longer inaccessible.

I suspect with the greater effort at highlighting road safety advocacy in recent years (see this SSC booklet), there has been an improvement and more cyclists have geared up with lights. And with the greater demand, some local shops are stocking pretty good lights. An example can be seen in this recent discussion on rear lights in local cycling forum Togoparts.

My staple light for about a decade now has been a Planet Bike Blinky 3H Helmet Mounted Rear Light - we bought extra for most of my cycling kakis, the Zendogs, as a helmet-mounted light significantly improves a cyclists' visibility. Variously I have had a 4-LED Sigma Cuberider and a 5-LED Cateye TL-LD610, happily replaced by a friend when the previous one went kaput. Add to the mix fully charged batteries each time I emerge for a ride and I'm visible!

I read with great interest that Sigma Cuberider now has a version II with five LEDs and 2 x AAA batteries instead of single size N battery. I have to get that!

Weak batteries can eliminate the effectiveness of your best lights, so my kakis and I will report on each others' roadworthiness, e.g. my comments here:

"Ladybug had her three rear lights on the way down to ECP last Sunday and she could be easily seen from far She had on a Planet Bike helmet rear light and that really great Sigma Cuberider with the odd-size N battery that was popular about four years ago plus *drum roll* a "no-brand" red flashing light on her back from a retired Citicab driver, courtesy of his daughter - Citicab apparently gave it to drivers in case of breakdowns and it's very bright!

In contrast, I could not see another rider who had just one weak light on her seat post. Guess she needed to change the batteries!"

A Zendogs conversation

On 20-21 Mach 2009, I chatted with my fellow cycling kakis about tail lights which I reproduce here for a quick impression on rear tail light options (US$ values link to the relevant Amazon Store pages). If you have recommendations, know of local shops selling such lights and local prices, do pitch in with comments - thanks!

Sivasothi wrote:

"I've been looking at bicycle tail lights and was thrown off by the lingo which prevents direct comparisons, candlelight, lumens and wattage.E.g. this Cateye chart uses candlepower.

Without any consideration for weight, battery life, battery type or cost, these top contenders emerged very quickly:

NiteRider Cherry Bomb
Great reviews, a new light on the market. US$25.
Planet Bike Blinky Super Flash
Also very popular and has a white version for the front - US$19.
Other contenders

Blackburn Mars 4.0
LED's: 1w Ultra Bright Red, 2 amber side. US$25.
Marpac Foxfire
LED's: 26 "Super Bright", 360º Illumination. US$25.
Chi wrote:
"Hi Siva,

The units measure different things (lm, W, and cd) and conversion between lm and cd is possible if you know the solid angle of radiation. Between lm and W, you can also convert but this may not be an entirely realistic conversion as it is based on one wavelength only and may be affected by other items such as efficiency and optical characteristics of the housing/lens.

Anyway, with lights, if they can give the units to you in cd (or mcd – thousandth of a candela), that would be sufficient. The one below is a good one. Guaranteed that you would be seen from far away as the leds are spaced out over several angles.
Cateye TL-LD610 (5 red LEDs)
For lights with LEDs and units in Watts, anything more than ½ W to 1 W is bright enough. However, this unit just refers to the power required by the LED to generate the brightest possible output. Does not take into account the optics of the plastic housing or lens. So if your lens or housing is badly designed (or say scratched), that maximum brightness seen by an observer will be reduced accordingly.

In our riding conditions, after settling for the brightness of the light, I would also take a look at dispersion angle for visibility, environmental protection (IP rating or waterproofness), and battery life."
Sivasothi wrote:
"The angles on the Cateye TL-LD610 (3 x AAA) are why it is my sole tail light now (apart from the Planet Bike helmet-mounted rear light) - a wider view might be offered by the Nite Rider Cherry Bomb.

I have the Cateye strapped on to the left seat stay since the gear cable runs along the right. This light is thus viewable at a distance but only from left-approaching vehicles.

For rIght-approaching vehicles I am relying on reflection by my bright-coloured cycling jersey and ankle straps. Proximal alerts will otherwise come from the helmet light. So adding a below-saddle tail light angled to the right will help.

The other thing I am looking for is a small, white light for the helmet now. But that's another story."
Loh Tse-Lynn wrote:
"I have the Planet Bike 1/2 watt Super Flash and I love it. The flash pattern is very distinctive and draws attention. For a little one, it packs a powerful flash. The roads here (Wilmington, NC, USA) tend to be unlit and it gives me confidence to commute at night. Currently my front light is the Planet Bike Blaze 1 watt. Good stuff."
Sivasothi wrote:
"Planet Bike supports bicycle advocacy and their lights were good, so our lights were all Planet Bike when Ladybug got them in Canada. Busted most of them since! But they were not as strong as our current lights.

From what I read, the Super Flash is one of the lightest at that power rating, so the weight freaks will love it for this as well."
Note: There is some suggestion that the Taiwanese SMART light I have see on sale in several stores these days may be the OEM version of Planet Bike's Blinky Superflash. They certainly look alike! For sure this too strong for a group ride except for the "last man" to use.
What about headlamps?

There are two types of front lights - flashing front lights to alert others to your presence and constantly-lit headlamps which help light your way. I am rarely in significant darkness so have never really explored headlamps. Flashing front lights are a critical part of any cyclists gear and the light and movement help to announce your presence to other road users. I have been reasonably satisfied with a 5 LED, 170 cd (at centre of light) Cateye HL-EL210/220 which I bought for about $55 one night before heading into the Coastal PCN. It was real handy!

There are the much brighter HL-EL-320 (1004 cd centre) or the lighter and waterproof HL-EL450 (400 cd centre; 3 x A3 batteries so half the battery life) - the latter costs US$34 and has a swivel mount which you can direct sideways, a useful option when cycling past junctions with vehicles turning in sideways to cut across your lane.

Besides Cateye, there is Sigma with Cubelight II and many others as well as Planet Bike's US$19 Blinky Superflash Tail Light (comes in white) or the US$65 Topeak WhiteLite HP 3-Watt Bicycle Light.

WhIle I want to be able to grab attention adequately from amongst traffic, I don't want to blind fellow road users temporarily. I would like to evaluate my light coming from a distance amidst traffic to determine its effectiveness at alerting an oncoming driver.

On the other hand, already at this light's intensity, I am careful to prevent blinding pedestrians when I join a PCN by switching the light to constant mode (i.e. not blinking) and pointing it downwards.

For the rare occasions I do need a headlight to light up my path, this US$60 Cateye HL-EL530 LED Bicycle Headlight looks like an attractive option. It is 100g heavier than my current light but is waterproof and the centre of beam is about 10x brighter at 1658 cl. – gosh, why don't I already own this?

Ride safe everyone!
Links to reviews (do suggest)
"Bicycle lighting product reviews," by Jason Ng. Jay's Cheesy Website V1.1, c/ Aug 2009 - link.

Foldies on a National Day 45km PCN sprint from Changi Village to Fort Road

2010-08-12T10:56:00.001+08:00

A couple of guys on their foldable bicycles sprint the 45km from Changi Village to Fort Road along the Coastal Park Connector after a leisurely breakfast on National Day. The reason for the pace? Car park coupons were expiring!

The blog post and video is by Kevin Lim on a Birdy, the "guy in yellow" is Kenneth Pinto on a Dahon. I love the smooth uninterrupted ride and the demonstration of the joy a foldable bike can bring to a couple of bus an car commuting dudes.

The video has been sped up to only take 10 mins. Click to read on...

Happy National Day everyone!

Have foldable bike will travel (on PCN)

2010-08-09T12:08:00.001+08:00

The Park Connector Network in Singapore has opened up safe route to cyclists like never before. These traffic-free paths are safe for cyclists who just need keep an eye open for pedestrians and the mostly few intersections with traffic. Their increasing pervasiveness provides not only safe commuting and leisure cycling opportunities but also the joy of touring Singapore much like you would as a tourist in a foreign land.

Meanwhile, foldable bikes have offered space-scarce Singaporeans the solution to owning and transporting bicycles. Some are small enough to be allowed on the MRT during off-peak hours while others are simply convenient for storage. Foldables are so popular, neighbourhood shops are offering cheap versions for the casual cyclist.

This combination may help the rise of cycling as a leisure and commuting option for Singaporeans. Enough for me to spout, "have foldable bike will travel".

Ivan Chew, the Rambling Librarian, exemplifies this. I was heartened when he sent me news about his $135 bicycle purchase and subsequent exploration of Mandai:

"I bought foldable bike at my neighbourhood bike shop on 22 July 2010. The bike is a relatively cheap China production but construction and workmanship isn't shoddy. It cost me $182, including $47 accessories like a side handlebar mirror and 2 lights.

I suspect it's a blatant ripoff of a Dahon foldable bike but still, this meets my needs."

"I bought the bicycle because I saw the Mandai PCN from a bus one evening. I had thought to myself that I can finally cycle out of Yishun, safely on a PCN. So I took it for a test-ride the next evening at about 9.30pm.

I rode the Khatib Bongsu PCN, starting from Yishun Park to junction of Yishun Ave 1 & 2, and then rode towards a new Mandai PCN that is not yet reflected on the NParks map. I rode this all the way to the Seletar Expressway flyover.

Then I hit Mandai Ave all the way to the turning point towards Mandai Crematorium. By this time it was edging towards midnight (work day next morning) so I decided to turn home. I am crossing my fingers we'll see the PCN fully connected in 5 year's time.

I'm not confident enough to cycle on the roads. But I don't like crowding pedestrians on paths (I'm a pedestrian most times!) So the PCN is REALLY a boon. NParks really scored big with me. And you can quote me on this :)"

Happy National Day everyone!

Ivan Chew's response here.

Bicycle rides in Pengerang, south-eastern Johor, Malaysia

2010-08-08T23:23:00.001+08:00

Nestled in the south-eastern-most tip of the State of Johor lies Pengerang – a popular cycling getaway for Singaporean cyclists seeking kampung trails, offroad tracks, open spaces, low traffic roads and hilly roads amidst the quiet charm of a rural, lowly-populated area. Oh and some cheap and great food.

The Penegerang, Tenggara and Kota Tinggi areas collectively make up the Kota Tinggi District.

How well do you know the place names
of our immediate neighbour?

A $12 (one-way) 45-60 mins bumboat ride with your bicycle from Changi Point Ferry Terminal brings you to the new Tanjong Pengelih Jetty Complex and Public Marina which opened on 16 May 2009. From the jetty, a serene ride and Malaysian food awaits you - you'll just need your passport and some ringgit. But be sure to get back to this jetty by 2pm, unless you have chartered a boat.

Singaporean groups typically also visit the area for kelong stays and fishing. Many blog about their getaways from the rabid pace of life in Singapore and Arson and Arsenic has a great Pengerang post from 2008.

Tanjung Pengelih Jetty is merely the start of a ride of any variation of destinations and terrain which cyclists may simply refer to as "Pengerang". So find out exactly the sort of ride you are invited to before you embark on one! Examples of variations include:

Sungei Rengit 40km = about 2/3 kampung roads and 1/3 main road
Sungei Rengit 50km = 30km offroad + 20km main road
Tanjung Ramunia 60km = kampung roads and main road
Desaru 100km = main road loop

My cycling kakis, Zendogs and some friends, last rode there on Sun 13 Oct 2002. I remember a blazing sun and according to my old log, the distances covered were:

11am - Pengarang Jetty to Sg Rengit: 26.11 km (1:34:51), Avs 16.5 km/h
2.30pm - Sg Rengit to Pengarang Jetty: 17.71km (0:52:25), Avs 20.2km/h

The ride to Sungei Rengit was longer as we went offroad through some plantations, new roads, saw a spill or two and examined the belukar in the area. Definitely a ride to recommend cyclists from Singapore!

Despite the allure of the ride, it took me almost eight years before I returned. Meanwhile, the PCN arose in Singapore and foldable bicycles have become popular and may represent a space-saving commuting option which will make the bicycle popular once again - and see more riders head out to Pengerang.

A little tour of Sembawang bicycle infrastructure

2010-07-23T21:29:00.000+08:00

Bicycle paths are gradually appearing in various Singapore new towns, with further plans announced recently. Are they helpful? Are the designs of high quality? Are they improving and learning from earlier mistakes. Leave a comment below if you have a view.

With those questions in mind I took a look around Sembawang this afternoon to see the bicycle infrastructure in the streets near the MRT station there. Here are some photos (from my mediocre phone camera).

The Sembawang paths as announced in 2008.

Please note that these paths are clearly intended for slow bicycle users - the same people who use the footways anyway, with or without bicycle paths. In my 90 minute walk I saw maybe 100 cyclists or more. Only two were on the roads and they were the only fast moving ones I saw.

Most of the paths are simply widened footways, with separate sections for bicycle users and pedestrians. I saw a good mix of the sexes and a very wide range of ages (from small children to extremely elderly folks) using the paths.


No one paid any attention at all to the signs and paint during my short visit. But it didn't seem to matter. Maybe things are different at busy times like the morning and evening peak periods?

In some places, the walking and cycling paths are separate. I didn't see anyone using the curvy path meant for pedestrians however.

The paths continue behind some bus stops without asking requiring bicycle users to dismount. Just a warning to give way. This is trusting people to be courteous, which I hope they mostly are!

But cyclists are asked to dismount to negotiate some bus stops. Not surprisingly, none did so while I watched.

Bicycle users are also asked to dismount and walk wherever the path crosses the access street into the HDB parking areas. No prizes for guessing that none ever do! These are danger points but it seems unrealistic to expect cyclists to dismount here. Shouldn't such places be redesigned to have raised zebra crossings to give both pedestrians and cyclists priority? Motorists should be going very slowly and watching out at such locations anyway.

Signs in Tampines (and media coverage) suggest bicycle users are expected to walk across pedestrian crossings. I didn't see such signs in Sembawang except where the path itself ends before the intersection. In any case, the cyclists all do ride across, mostly cautiously at close to walking pace.

By the way, there seems to be some confusion on the issue of cycling across pedestrian crossings. The law itself apparently does NOT ban cycling across pedestrian crossings (lights or zebra crossings), at least according to a 2009 parliamentary explanation by the Minster for Home Affairs (via Slow Riders blog). However, cycling on footways is illegal everywhere except Tampines. So it is not surprising there is confusion.

A wide range of people are cycling on the paths (and on other footways!). The high number of women and children I saw is a clue that cyclists here feel a high level of 'subjective safety'. I really don't know if that perception is matched by low accident and injury rates. Does anyone know of any careful analysis of this for these paths or others like them in Singapore?

So, what is your verdict on these facilities?

Please comment! Are the Sembawang paths better than nothing? Could they be better? Are they a good start? Could they be improved on incrementally? Is there any need for all the paint and signs (which everyone seems to ignore)? Would it be better to just legalize cycling on pavements, as in Tampines (and as in Japan and certain states in Australia), and also widen them wherever possible?

I also have to confess some ignorance here on some important points. I am not sure if the newer bicycle paths (such as the latest one in Tampines) are using the same design guidelines as these older ones. Does anyone know? Have the design guidelines been made public? I am also a little confused about which paths have been done by which agency. I think Sembawang's paths were a Town Council initiative, whereas the newly announced paths are coming from an LTA initiative. Can anyone confirm?

"Seven towns to have dedicated cycling paths by 2014" (CNA)

2010-07-16T02:04:00.001+08:00

Other articles on the same announcement are highlighted in WildSingapore (click to read):

"Changi-Simei and Bedok join ranks of cycling towns," by Maria Almenoar. The Straits Times, 16 Jul 2010.
"Marina Bay to be showcase cycling town," by Maria Almenoar. The Straits Times, 16 Jul 2010.
"The two-wheeler push," by Leong Wee Keat. Today Online, 16 Jul 2010.

"Seven towns to have dedicated cycling paths by 2014," by Dylan Loh. 15 July 2010.

"SINGAPORE: The government pedals forward with plans to get more people on two wheels. By 2014, Changi-Simei and Bedok will have dedicated cycling lanes.

This will bring to seven the number of estates where the government aims to promote intra-town biking to transport nodes like MRT stations. The other towns, announced in February 2009, are Yishun, Tampines, Sembawang, Taman Jurong and Pasir Ris. The tracks in these towns will be completed by 2012. In total, S$43 million will be spent for such dedicated cycling paths in the seven towns.

Besides the heartlands, the Marina Bay area will also see more biking action.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has been working closely with the Urban Redevelopment Authority and National Parks Board to implement a network of cycling paths in the area. S$26 million has been set aside for the project. Work on these bicycle paths will begin this year and by 2014, cyclists can look forward to 16 kilometres of dedicated bicycle lanes in the Marina Bay area.

Meantime, construction of dedicated cycling paths in Tampines and Yishun has started. The first 1.2-kilometre stretch in Tampines will open for use this Sunday.

Dedicated bicycle lanes are hugely popular in European cities like Salzburg, Berlin and especially Amsterdam, where the bikes outnumber people by almost half. That's how much they love their two wheels. So the big question is: Can a similar cycling culture catch on in Singapore?

"I suppose so, because like now, cars are giving off too much greenhouse gas emissions," said a member of the public.

"It's not just a form of transport but it also builds up your physical fitness. So I would go for cycling," said another.

"No, because people might get in the way when I cycle and it's quite troublesome," said a third.

Initiatives like safety talks and cycling clinics will be used to tell the public about responsible cycling.

Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Transport Teo Ser Luck said: "We want to make sure that they are educated in terms of some of the behaviours when they're cycling and making sure they recognise the different signs."

In addition, more resources will also be put into developing bicycle parking facilities at key transport hubs. "

- CNA/al/ir

Razor TV five part feature on Cycling Safety (21 Jun 2010)

2010-06-23T14:29:00.001+08:00

Link to the videos at Razor TV here. Click part 1 and the video will continue through all five parts. The team talked to Theodore Teo, Benoi Valin and various other cyclists and motorists.

Roads dangerous for cyclists (Cycling safety Pt 1) [06:31]
Cyclists and motorists are clashing over their right to Singapore's roads. RazorTV finds out the grievances cyclists have about motorists.
Motorists afraid of cyclists (Cycling safety Pt 2) [03:06]
Motorists say that cyclists in Singapore do not practise safe cycling and often flout traffic regulations.
More cyclists = more accidents? (Cycling safety Pt 3) [04:07]
With more cyclists on the road, the jostle for space has become more intense. RazorTV finds out if having more road cyclists mean more accidents.
Cycling to work is a breeze (Cycling safety Pt 4) [04:52]
RazorTV follows Theodore Teo, assistant director at the Office of Career Services at Singapore Management University, from his home in Dover to his workplace in Victoria Street. Find out how he survives the bustling morning traffic.
How to ride safely (Cycling safety Pt 5) [05:45]
RazorTV learns how to ride safely on Singapore's roads from Theodore Teo, a committee member of Safe Cycling Task Force.

Update - See Thomas Keeble's remarks in the comment section.

"The road to a cycling city"

2010-06-17T21:39:00.002+08:00

"The road to a cycling city," by Cassandra Chew. The Straits Times, 16 Jun 2010. Govt should take a firm stand as pedestrians and motorists alike do not welcome cyclists

"I WAS in a bicycle store one weekend when I noticed a bumper sticker by the cashier counter.
"Watch For Cyclists", the striped black-and-yellow sign read. As I picked it up, the shopkeeper urged me to take one. Her eyes were heavy. It was the weekend when news of the death of experienced cyclist Evelyn Toh, 39, broke. She had been hit by a van.

'At least the newspapers reported the accident,' the shopkeeper sighed. 'They didn't use to.' It was a brief conversation, but she said plenty with just those few words.

To her, society has little regard for cyclists. And it is easy to see why.

Cyclists here are almost like the red-headed stepchildren of the road, without a place to call their own. By law, cyclists are to ride on the road - except in Tampines, where cycling on pavements is allowed.

Yet, many motorists are unwilling to share the roads with them. Ask any cyclist and he will readily share an incident or two, or three, when he had a near brush with death, no thanks to a motorist who drove with a bad attitude.

Naturally, some cyclists opt for the relative safety of the pavement. But as it turns out, pedestrians are equally, if not more, territorial than motorists. I would be hard-pressed to find a pedestrian who does not find cyclists a menace on the walkways.

So where do cyclists belong?

It's a question that needs to be answered quickly as this island copes with a burgeoning two-wheeler population. The longer it is sidestepped, the longer the vulnerable cyclist on the roads will have to ride on, exposed to hazards from careless motorists, deprived of the rights of safety they are entitled to.

If the answer is that cyclists are 'legitimate road users (who) deserve to be able to ride safely', as Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, said recently, then the status quo is not going to cut it.

Like cycling advocate Irene Ng, a Tampines GRC MP, I feel the Government plays a key role in establishing cyclists' right to be on the roads. Although millions are being invested in infrastructure for leisure cycling and short commutes, more can be done to integrate cycling as a mode of transport here, she argues.

And there are good reasons to do so.

Cycling is a good form of exercise. It is cheaper than travelling by car. It is also a faster means of travel than being stuck in a car if there is a traffic jam. Cycling produces less pollution than cars. Cycling infrastructure costs less to build than that for other vehicles.

But here is a reason that will interest every road user, not just than the health- and environmentally-conscious.
Cycling as an additional form of transport can help ease traffic congestion, a problem that can cost businesses billions of dollars.

That was the projection by the business community in Melbourne, Australia, in the early part of this decade, which led their mayor at the time, Dr John So, to be serious about encouraging cycling. Like many cycling cities in the world, Melbourne used bicycle lanes. Then, Dr So added bike rental stations and parking facilities equipped with showers and cafes.

Over in the Swedish city of Malmo, Mr Ilmar Reepalu, the mayor, says the idea is to make cycling attractive. So besides offering useful maps, the city wooed commuters by getting local celebrities on board. Mr Reepalu put them on bicycles, sent them round the city and published their favourite experiences in a book.

In Melbourne, Dr So also rounded up people in the community to get everyone on the same page. 'Companies can organise cycle-to- work days and cycling carnivals on weekends to get motorists to become recreational cyclists,' he suggests. From his experience, motorists will be more open to sharing the roads if they knew what it was like out there for cyclists.

Both city planners, who will be in Singapore in two weeks' time for the World Cities Summit, displayed strong political will to make cycling safe. And soon, the community came alongside to partner them in their efforts.

Today, bicycles make up 40 per cent of all journeys to and from work in Malmo, and 9 per cent of peak hour commuter traffic in Melbourne.

The Government here can spark a similar transformation if it establishes the legitimacy of cyclists here and promotes the humble bicycle as a means of transport.

If there is not enough room on existing roads for bicycle lanes, then how about shared lanes where cyclists have priority?

Motorists can be re-educated on the hows and whys of giving way to cyclists. Driving instructors, on their part, can help teach learner drivers the appropriate way of co-existing with cyclists on the roads.

More bicycle parking spaces can be erected near MRT stations and town malls. If outdoor bicycle parking facilities are unsafe, what about mandating, as New York City has, that new buildings have secure indoor parking for bicycles?

On the other hand, it will also be necessary to look into the list of bugbears that motorists have about cyclists.
After all, we can't expect motorists to share the roads if cyclists continue to flout traffic rules and get away with it.

If we have moved away from the practice of licensing bicycles, then what about a compulsory road safety test before cyclists are allowed on the roads?

And to help alter motorists' view of cyclists as parasitical road users who don't contribute to the upkeep of roads, perhaps we can consider charging cyclists a nominal fee if their bikes are above a certain size. Call it a bike tax.

There are solutions if we are willing to find them. The question is: Are we committed to doing so?

Cyclists, for their part, can abide by the rules.

But until the Government takes a firm stand on where they belong, motorists will have an excuse to see cyclists as road hazards who don't pay road tax, and not as living, breathing people who matter too.

casschew@sph.com.sg

Malaysian Railway land - a north-south bikeway and nature corridor in the making

2010-06-03T09:24:00.001+08:00

Letters to the The Straits Times Forum Page, 03 Jun 2010

"Go for green corridor"

"THE potential release of land owned by the Malayan Railway (KTM) presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a beautiful cycling, hiking and nature trail linking the north and south of Singapore.

This would be a boon for the increasingly health- and environment-conscious population seeking spaces for cycling, jogging and hiking, and help them appreciate the nature spots.

The KTM corridor is an unobstructed, traffic-free and flat path. It presents both a non-motorised transport option as well as a recreational opportunity.

Traffic-separating infrastructure - bridges, cuttings and tunnels - already exists, lowering the cost of conversion considerably as opposed to construction from scratch.

The converted path could easily be linked to the existing Park Connector Networks (PCNs) in the north, west and south of Singapore.

For example, it would be possible to link it with the Woodlands Waterfront and the Northern Explorer PCN, the Labrador Nature and Coastal Walk and the popular Southern Ridges Walk.

The new path would also immediately link the north, north-western and western towns with the biotechnology hub of one-north, the future arts-and- culture hub in Tanjong Pagar and the financial district, providing a safe and convenient commute for people living in these areas."

Thomas R. Keeble

"A new life for Tanjong Pagar Station," The Straits Times Forum page, 03 Jun 2010.

'How perfectly fitting for this historic transport hub to function as a terminus for green cyclists wishing to park their bikes and enter the city centre on foot.'

THE Malayan Railway's right-of-way contains some lovely islands of tranquillity in Singapore's otherwise urban landscape. They should be cherished. The right-of- way can be converted into a leafy ribbon park running from Tanjong Pagar to Woodlands, with a bikeway for convenient access to the city from the north.

Bike lock-up and pay-shower/locker facilities could be built into the conservation plans of the Tanjong Pagar Station. How perfectly fitting for this historic transport hub to function as a terminus for green cyclists wishing to park their bikes and enter the city centre on foot. It could be developed as a hiking/walking/ cycling emporium, a 'Velopolis'.

And please, preserve the lovely cottage-like station in Bukit Timah as a midway resting point offering refreshments.

The ribbon park and Velopolis could be named after Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, to honour his visionary reforestation campaigns that are among his greatest legacies to this city state.

Wayne Mitchell

(KTM) Rails to Trails?

2010-05-27T21:16:00.001+08:00

Tom Keeble asks hopefully,

"So with the transfer of the KTM line to Singapore, what do you think are the chances of getting the line turned into a massive park connector from Woodlands to Tanjong Pagar?" Like Rails to Trails in the US - www.railstotrails.org

He is referring the ground-breaking news on the 24th of May 2010:

"KTMB station in Tanjong Pagar to relocate to Woodlands by July 2011," by S Ramesh. Channel News Asia, 24 May 2010. [pdf]

SINGAPORE: Singapore and Malaysia capped a historic day in relations on Monday with agreement on a long outstanding bilateral issue.

After 20 years, both sides have arrived at a solution on the Malayan Railway Land in Singapore. The leaders of the two countries agreed to move the station at the heart of the city centre in Tanjong Pagar to Woodlands Train checkpoint, near the border by the 1 July 2011.

The smiles said it all - of a retreat that has been fruitful with significant moves. The centrepiece must surely be the issue of the railway land and lines, spelt out in the Points of Agreement (POA) signed in 1990.

Read the rest of the article here.

For the joint statement by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Malaysia Prime Minister Najib Razak at the Singapore-Malaysia Leaders' Retreat, click here.

Evelyn Toh, RIP 2010

2010-05-16T22:55:00.000+08:00

"Cyclist dies after being hit by van," by Melissa Pang. The Straits Times, 16 May 2010. Man held over death; fatal accident comes two months after another cycling death

Ms Toh posing with her bicycle in this photo, which was taken by her husband Hoi Seng just before she went on her ill-fated ride last Thursday. - Photos courtesy of the family of Evelyn Toh

It was a photo taken before she went on her usual cycling routine, and the last that would ever be taken of her.

Last Thursday, Ms Evelyn Toh, 39, became the latest member of the cycling community to die in a traffic accident.

Her husband, who would give his name only as Hoi Seng, said he snapped the photo on the day of the accident. He said his wife, whom he wed 11 years ago, liked to be photographed in her sports gear.

Her death follows that of Mr Benjamin Mok, 35, who died two months ago after he was hit by a suspected drunk driver. A 62-year-old general practitioner was arrested in the case.

Hoi Seng, 40, a manager, said his wife had at least 15 years of riding experience. They have no children.

'When the police called, I did not believe that the accident was possible. She was a very safe and experienced cyclist.'

He knows little about the accident except that his wife was hit from behind by a van while on her usual cycling route along Sembawang Road.

The housewife, an avid sportswoman who participated in up to seven marathons and triathlons a year, was taken to Tan Tock Seng Hospital where she succumbed to serious injuries.

Chinese-language newspaper Lianhe Wanbao reported last Friday that a 53-year-old man had been arrested for causing death by a rash act.

Ms Toh is remembered by Singapore Armed Forces technician Ayub Hasbi, 46, for her safety-conscious ways.

Saying he knew the former Iron Man participant through a weekend cycling group, he added that she would 'warn us about potholes, traffic lights and cars'.

Mr Ayub, who has more than 20 years of cycling experience, thinks more needs to be done to improve safety for the cycling community.

Last year, 17 cyclists and pillion riders died on the road, down from 22 in 2008.

After Mr Mok's death two months ago, cycling groups stepped up efforts to make roads safer for cyclists.

The Straits Times reported last month that Safe Cycling Taskforce president Steven Lim was looking to increase the number of road signs that warn motorists of the presence of cyclists.

There are currently at least 119 'Cyclists Ahead' signs.

Mr Ayub, however, questions the usefulness of these signs.

'It is giving an instruction, but whether motorists follow it is another matter. Even if the signs are big, they won't work if motorists do not show regard for them.'

But former national triathlete Jeanette Wang thinks 'a sign is better than no sign' and that they can be effective.

'Out of 10 signs, motorists will see at least one, and will know to look out for cyclists.'

Ms Wang, 28, an associate editor at Shape magazine, admits that cycling continues to be a dangerous experience for her.

'There's always a close call when I'm on the road. I have to jam-brake every time I ride because cars just don't notice me, even though I have front and back lights, and reflector strips to make myself more visible.'

Mr Robert Choy, 50, who has been cycling for 30 years, said motorists and cyclists both have a role to play in working towards a common understanding.

'Singapore drivers don't have the patience for cyclists. They also don't anticipate how fast a bicycle can go and think they can beat all cyclists,' said the self-employed man.

According to him, serious recreational cyclists can reach speeds of up to 70kmh when going down a slope. Ms Wang estimated that these cyclists travel at 35kmh on average.

Hoi Seng and his family hope Ms Toh's death will help raise awareness of the importance of road safety for cyclists.

Said his elder sister, who declined to be named: 'It's important to educate the public...If other road users were more careful and considerate, lives would not be wasted.'

Hoi Seng is unsure if he will ever cycle again.

'Evelyn was my inspiration. We'd look out for each other on the roads when we cycled,' he said.

'But I know she would want me to continue. She had always encouraged me to lead a healthy lifestyle.'

Ride of Silence Singapore, Sat 22 May 2010: 9am, from Merlion Park

2010-05-10T22:37:00.001+08:00

The Ride of Silence
"Tonight we number many but ride as one
In honor of those not with us, friends, mothers, fathers, sisters, sons
With helmets on tight and heads down low,
We ride in silence, cautious and slow
The wheels start spinning in the lead pack
But tonight we ride and no one attacks
The dark sunglasses cover our tears
Remembering those we held so dear
Tonight’s ride is to make others aware
The road is there for all to share
To those not with us or by our side,
May God be your partner on your final ride"
- Mugai

"Join cyclists worldwide in a silent slow-paced ride (maximum 20 kmh) in honor of those who have been injured or killed while cycling on public roadways."

The Ride of Silence Singapore will set off on Saturday 22 May 2010: from Merlion Park. Three routes are planned this year (north, east and west; see tinyurl.com/ros2010sg-route.

The Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan is the Guest Of Honour and will ride with ROS.

To cycle in support with the group, register at rideofsilence.sg

The West Route has the support of Senja-Cashew Community Centre, who are hosting the West End Point where there will be booths set up by NParks, Traffic Police and LTA about cycling safety.

The first Ride of Silence Singapore was held in 2009 at night - see "impressions from a car window. "

"Promote the use of environmentally friendly transport"

2010-05-07T08:16:00.001+08:00

Focus group on sustainability and identity for Concept Plan Review 2011 - Summary of Preliminary recommendations (06 May 2010)

Excerpt:

"1(b) Promote the use of environmentally friendly transport:
More people should take public transport, walk or cycle, rather than use private transport. To encourage more people to use public transport, fares should be reduced and public transport should be made more convenient, frequent and comfortable. For example, multi-modal season passes can be introduced to allow for unlimited travel to be made across different transport modes within a designated time period, say a day, and economical shuttle services to MRT/LRT stations can be provided. Car parking policies should be reviewed to discourage the use of private transport, for example by reducing the number of car parking lots or by charging higher car parking fees in the city and town centres.

We should encourage cycling and walking by making it safer and more comfortable to do so. A dedicated bicycle lane network is necessary, for example like those found in other cities such as Osaka, Amsterdam and Sydney. We should have more parking facilities for bicycles which are also more secure and space efficient. Changing facilities should also be introduced for cyclists. Walking connections could be shaded and protected from direct sun and rain."

Read the entire document and provide feedback at http://spring.ura.gov.sg/conceptplan2011/publicforum/.

'A dedicated bicycle lane network is necessary' (Focus Group, URA Concept Plan 2011 Review)

2010-05-07T08:00:00.001+08:00

Lanes, lots for cyclists," by Ong Dai Lin. Today, 07 May 2010. And fewer car park spots among URA focus group's recommendations.

"Some of their suggestions echoed popular calls that have been rejected time and again by the Government; other proposals may be downright unpopular, admitted the focus group appointed by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) to review its Concept Plan 2011.

Either way, green transport will have a key role in building a sustainable city, said the 30-member group.

For one, a dedicated bicycle lane network is necessary, and Ambassador Ong Keng Yong, co-chair of the group and director of the Institute of Policy Studies, hopes the Government will act on the suggestion even though this has been raised unsuccessfully in the past.

There should also be more and better secured parking facilities for bicycles, as well as changing facilities for cyclists.

Private transport, on the other hand, should be discouraged by reducing the number of car parking lots or by charging higher parking fees in the city and town centres.

Mr Lee Tzu Yang, the group co-chair and chairman of Shell Companies in Singapore, told reporters the measures may be unpopular but were targeted ways to limit traffic flow into certain areas.

He said: "Everybody supports the use of public transport; they just want somebody else to use the public transport."

The group said that lower public transport fares as well as more convenient, comfortable and frequent buses and trains would make a difference. For example, season passes for unlimited travel across different transport modes can be introduced, and economical shuttle services to MRT or LRT stations can be provided.

The carrot-and-stick approach should also apply to waste reduction and recycling, recommended the group - one of two appointed in January to discuss issues in the URA's Concept Plan, which maps out the long-term direction for land use and transportation in Singapore.

Higher waste-disposal fees - tied to the amount of trash collected from each household - can help reduce wastage, for example, while recycling facilities could be located at public transport nodes with rebates on public transport fares to encourage recycling.

This was the first time the group, which is looking into sustainability and identity, was presenting its draft recommendations. Six members, including the co-chairs, met 200 people in a forum as part of URA's overall public consultation exercise.

One member of the public, Mr Jeffrey Chong, asked if the panel - which included Nature Society president Shawn Lum, South West Community Development Council member Tiew Chee Meng and National University Singapore geography department chief Shirlena Huang - had considered introducing urban farming.

Mr Tiew said land scarcity in Singapore was an obstacle, and a green spirit must first be inculcated in Singaporeans.

After seeking the public's feedback, the focus group will fine-tune its recommendations before submitting its final report to URA, which reviews its Concept Plan once every 10 years. The current review is scheduled to be completed next year.

Meanwhile, the other focus group looking into quality of life and ageing will present its recommendations on Monday.

The public can give their feedback on yesterday's preliminary recommendations at spring.ura.gov.sg/conceptplan2011/publicforum"

"Will LTA ... come up with a coordinated national plan?" (Parliament)

2010-04-28T01:01:00.005+08:00

--- beg ---
PARLIAMENT QUESTIONS & ANSWERS – 26 APRIL 2010

QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER

Ms Irene Ng Phek Hoong: "To ask the Minister for Transport given that cyclists are banned from riding on footways, except in Tampines, whether the Land Transport Authority will work with the Police and other relevant agencies to promote safety for cyclists on roads and come up with a coordinated national plan for improving the infrastructure and regulatory framework for cycling as a mode of transport. "

Response from Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Mr Teo Ser Luck

Mr Speaker Sir, the Land Transport Authority, together with other relevant agencies, has been working to creating a safer riding environment for cyclists.
Given Singapore’s land constraints, our policy is to optimise our available road and pedestrian space, to meet the diverse needs of pedestrians, motorists, cyclists as well as other groups of commuters and road users. To do this, we have to balance the needs of the rising number of cyclists against that of other road users and pedestrians, while cyclists, drivers and pedestrians have to exercise mutual accommodation and due consideration for each other.
One key aspect to promote safety of cyclists on roads is public education. Having recognised the vulnerability of cyclists on the roads, Traffic Police (TP) as well as several agencies, community and grassroot leaders and also the Safe Cycling Task Force have been conducting road safety talks and exhibitions in schools, workplaces and neighbourhoods to promote safe cycling habits. Also, based on the observation that many foreign workers had opted for cycling as a preferred mode of transport, Traffic Police has since been working closely with various foreign dormitories, corporate partners and organisations that employ a large number of foreign workers to promote safe cycling among their workers.
With regards to infrastructure, LTA is currently working with community stakeholders and the Traffic Police to roll out a $43 million programme to design and construct dedicated cycling paths in 5 selected HDB Towns as part of a pilot scheme, namely Tampines, Pasir Ris, Taman Jurong, Sembawang and Yishun. These towns were selected as they had favourable local characteristics - a relatively compact geography, suitable infrastructure and land available for the cycling tracks, and also strong support for cycling. LTA is also working with the Safe Cycling Task Force (SCTF) to identify frequently used cycling routes outside of these 5 towns. Signs alerting motorists of the presence of cyclists have been installed along these routes and the signs have been found to be useful. LTA will continue to work with the SCTF to identify the need for similar signs at other locations.
To better coordinate these plans, and to allow each community to learn from the experience of others, the Ministry of Transport set up a Cycling Facilitation Committee (CFC) in June 2009 for which I am the Chairman. The aim of the CFC is to establish a common, community-led approach to tackle the “soft” issues related to the implementation of dedicated cycling paths in these 5 towns, as well as best practices to facilitate cycling for intra-town trips. Currently, Grassroot leaders from these 5 towns are represented on the CFC. Other relevant governmental and non-governmental agencies such as LTA, NParks, HDB, Police and Safe Cycling Task Force are also represented. The committee is working to establish a common code of practice for safe cycling, public education efforts and enforcement against reckless cycling behaviour in towns that want to facilitate cycling. We should see the efforts in these 5 cycling towns as piloting new ideas and approaches from which we can gain useful experience and lessons for possible wider implementation as we evolve our plans to facilitate cycling.
The safety of all road users, whether they are drivers, cyclists or pedestrians, is a shared responsibility. All road users will have to play their part by following the traffic rules and regulations, and exercise mutual accommodation and due consideration for each other."

Ms Irene Ng Phek Hoong:

"Sir, can I urge the Senior Parliamentary Secretary not to look at the five demonstration cycling towns as models for the rest of the island but rather to look at the congested cities in the world, such as Paris, London, Geneva, Chicago, Edinburgh, who have managed to incorporate cycling into their urban transport systems with bike lanes on roads, with clear signs that indicate that cyclists have a right to be on the roads? Sir, I feel that the emphasis on Tampines or the other towns in Singapore is a red herring and might lead us in the wrong direction because what we need is a clear national policy.

On the other question of education, can I ask the Senior Parliamentary Secretary if he could work with the Traffic Police to ensure that the message is also targeted at motorists and not only at cyclists? For safe cycling to take place on roads, we need motorists to look out for them and are conditioned to look out for them."

Mr Teo Ser Luck:

"Sir, we have also studied the cities that the Member has mentioned, whether it is Paris or London. On trips that MOT have made, we have looked at the different road infrastructure and how they facilitate cycling. The cities face similar situations and they also have made their own trade-offs. To accommodate dedicated cycling tracks or lanes on the road, you would have to give up a certain space for other motorists and other usage.

We will continue to look at other possible ways – whether to put up more effective signs or whether to locate the space for cycling on the road or on a track. Although conditions could be different from city to city, we will look at what can be customised for Singapore's environment.

At this point in time, we do not just look at the five cycling towns and experiment with these. What we try to do with the five cycling towns is to look at the "soft" issues, which are education and the clinics that we are conducting across the different towns as well as certain codes of practice that the community leaders can provide us with.

So we take a multi-pronged approach – we will look at not just the infrastructure in the different cities that the Member has mentioned but also the education programmes and how we actually enforce it. In Tampines, for example, with the bye-laws, they were able to enforce it at a reasonable level on the ground through the Town Councils. We have to look at whether that model of operations can actually be implemented in the other areas. It is the same for education, and infrastructure, in terms of building dedicated tracks.

As far as education for motorists is concerned, I agree with the Member that it is not just focused on our cyclists and making sure that they behave but also whether the motorists can accommodate and co-exist with cyclists. I think for this, we will work with the Traffic Police and look at the other different ways that we can educate the public – whether to have more safety awareness campaigns to alert the motorists about cyclists on the road. We will do the best we can in terms of putting up signs."

--- end ---

Tampines' derelict bicycle removal programme (Today Online)

2010-04-26T10:39:00.001+08:00

"Cycling Town's scourge." Today Online, 26 Apr 2010.

SINGAPORE - Ever since it began its journey to become Singapore's first official "cycling town", pedestrian safety has not been the only issue Tampines has needed to tackle; abandoned bicycles have been another. Now, the town council has found a way to fix the problem, through a derelict bicycle removal programme.

From about 1,560 derelict bicycles found during a survey in July and August of 2008, the number fell by more than 70 per cent to 432 in January. The improvement came after a quarterly removal exercise, involving town council staff and residents' committee members, was mooted.

Bicycles found in bad condition, such as those with rusty or missing parts, are tagged with a removal notice and taken away when the notice expires or during the quarterly exercise.

In the first exercise, conducted on Jan 11 last year, staff and volunteers combed 68 blocks in Tampines. A total of 189 derelict bicycles were later removed. To date, a total of 454 blocks have been covered and a total of 1,063 bicycles removed.

The town council is continuing with the initiative as well as its outreach to residents through newsletters, brochures and banners on proper parking and care of bicycles.

"Let's Share our Roads" - Togoparts Cyclist Safety & Awareness campaign

2010-04-09T09:34:00.001+08:00

Togoparts announced in the March newsletter that they are "launching a Cyclist Safety Awareness campaign aimed at educating the driving public in response to recent accidents involving cars and cyclists.

To promote this message, Togoparts will be giving out the first 500 'Share the Road' decals for free to anyone who is willing to put the decals up on their vehicles."

A second collection for members today at West Coast Mc's has been opened and members (just sign up) can request for decals - link.

"LTA rejects call to register bikes" (THe Straits Times)

2010-04-09T09:18:00.001+08:00

"LTA rejects call to register bikes," by Irene Tham. The Straits Times, 04 Apr 2010.

Bring back compulsory bicycle registration. The suggestion came recently from several online writers to the ST Forum, The New Paper and ST Interactive.

They said that when hit-and-run accidents occur, the police would then have better leads to nab the errant cyclists.

Mr Ace Kindred Cheong, who wrote to The New Paper, said: 'If any offences or crimes are committed by cyclists - such as hit-and-run accidents and thefts - the public will be able to provide the licence plate details and the perpetrators can be caught and punished.

'I am sure many pedestrians in Singapore do not want to share the pavements with cyclists. This is because of the risk of reckless cyclists who may accidentally knock into babies in prams, young children and the elderly.'

Another writer, Mr Allan Zheng, said: 'Allowing bicycles without number plates on roads - and footpaths - just makes it that much easier for cyclists to get away scot-free when they have knocked someone down.'

When contacted by The Sunday Times, a Land Transport Authority (LTA) spokesman said: 'Having exempted bicycles from registration requirements in Singapore since 1982, its re-introduction will not only be viewed as regressive but will also unnecessarily subject bicycle owners to onerous requirements.'

Citing difficulties in enforcing bicycle registration, she added that LTA's move to do away with mandatory bicycle registration is consistent with the practice in many developed countries.

They include Britain, the United States, European Union nations, Australia and New Zealand.

'Licensing is therefore neither practical nor cost-effective,' she said.

Irene Tham

"Get cyclists off the footpaths: Pedestrians" (The Straits Times)

2010-04-09T09:04:00.001+08:00

"Get cyclists off the footpaths: Pedestrians," by Irene Tham. The Straits Times, 04 Apr 2010.Many want recourse against riders who ignore rules and throw caution to the wind.

Mr Kelvin Khoo, 38, has stopped taking evening walks with his wife around his estate near Bedok North.

He is wary of cyclists who pedal illegally on footpaths. 'They come at such high speeds,' said the personal wealth manager.

On several occasions, they nearly hit the couple.

Mr Khoo also stopped taking his three children, aged four, six and nine, to the East Coast Park. They have had so many near misses, he said.

His fears may be justified. The number of accidents involving pedestrians was 1,075 last year, or about three a day.

The police did not break down the causes of these accidents - whether by car, motorcycle or bicycle.

'Why do I have to walk fearing that a bike may hit me or my children?' asked Mr Khoo. His frustrations are shared by many.

After Tampines became Singapore's first cycling town on March1, dozens of readers vented their anger on The Straits Times' online discussion board, complaining about cyclists ignoring traffic rules.

Several writers to The Straits Times and The New Paper forum pages voiced unhappiness over sharing pavements with cyclists.

Many wanted the authorities to clarify the recourse for a pedestrian should he be hit by a cyclist on a walkway.

Wrote Mr Allan Zheng, whose forum letter to The New Paper was published on March 19: 'Say I manage to catch a cyclist who knocks me down on the footpath. When I hand the cyclist over to the police, can any action be taken?

'Won't I just be told to get a magistrate's order, as I believe being knocked down by a cyclist is a non-seizable offence?'

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In Singapore, cycling on the footways of roads is an offence, except in Tampines town. If convicted in court, first-time offenders may be fined up to $1,000 or jailed up to three months. Repeat offenders may get a fine of $2,000 or a jail sentence of up to six months.

Cyclists may also be punished under the Penal Code for riding in public places in a rash or negligent manner.

If convicted, the offender faces a jail term of up to one year, or a fine of up to $5,000, or both.

However, the injured pedestrian has to first make a police report. 'The police will investigate. Depending on the outcome, we will take the appropriate action,' said a police spokesman.

The police may take up the case for the victim, but they do not automatically prosecute errant cyclists, lawyers told The Sunday Times.

The victim can make a civil claim or a magistrate's complaint for a private summons to prosecute the cyclist.

'But the burden of proof of a cyclist's negligence lies with the victim,' said Mr Patrick Yeo, litigation partner of the Insurance Practice Group at law firm KhattarWong.

'The victim usually needs a lawyer as he may not have enough legal knowledge or expertise to properly conduct and succeed in his civil claim in court.'

Depending on the amount of damages the victim is seeking, he may not be able to justify the legal fees, he added.

'For instance, if you sue a poor, uninsured cyclist, you may get only a paper judgment as the cyclist would not be able to satisfy or pay the judgment.'

Cyclists are not required by law to be compulsorily insured for third-party liability.

Last year, more than 1,500 summonses were issued by the police to cyclists for violating traffic rules.

Of these, about 700 were for illegal riding along the footways of roads - a six-fold increase from 115 in 2008.

Even Tampines is not immune to such reckless habits.

A resident, who wanted to be known only as Madam Lim, said she was almost knocked down on several occasions by cyclists rushing to work at the bus stop in front of her block in Tampines Street 45.

'The cyclists weave through people waiting at the bus stop,' said Madam Lim, who is eight months pregnant.

Another resident said the authorities should widen all the footpaths in Tampines before allowing cyclists to use them.

'It is quite a squeeze in many places as not all pavements have been widened,' said Mr Francis How, 53, an insurance agent.

Asked how pedestrians' safety is ensured, a spokesman for Tampines Town Council said its amended by-laws allow it to take enforcement action against reckless cyclists.

Since March 1, it has issued more than 40 warnings to cyclists for speeding, not giving way to pedestrians and not installing lights on their bicycles.

Its volunteer cycling wardens conduct regular patrols, the spokesman said, declining to disclose the frequency of these checks 'to preserve the element of surprise'. [7th April 2010: The Tampines Town Council has clarified that the cycling wardens accompany the auxiliary police officers, who are the ones issuing warnings and summonses during their patrols.]

itham@sph.com.sg

Near misses

"They come at such high speeds... Why do I have to walk fearing that a bike may hit me or my children?" - MR KELVIN KHOO, 38, a wealth manager who has given up taking evening strolls around his estate near Bedok North

Not a breeze

"It is quite a squeeze in many places as not all pavements have been widened." - MR FRANCIS HOW, 53, an insurance agent who lives in Tampines, Singapore's cycling town, which has widened footways and clearly marked paths for cyclists and pedestrians

What recourse?

"Say I manage to catch a cyclist who knocks me down on the footpath. When I hand the cyclist over to the police, can any action be taken? Won't I just be told to get a magistrate's order?" - MR ALLAN ZHENG, who complained in a letter to The New Paper

What it should have been
(Published on 7th April, 2010)

In an April 4 report, 'Get cyclists off the footpaths: Pedestrians' , The Sunday Times said volunteer cycling wardens conduct regular patrols in Tampines.

The Tampines Town Council has clarified that the cycling wardens accompany the auxiliary police officers, who are the ones issuing warnings and summonses during their patrols.

"Cyclists launch safety drive" (The Straits Times)

2010-04-09T08:45:00.001+08:00

"Cyclists launch safety drive," by Mavis Toh. The Straits Times, 02 Apr 2010 (Home Section).
Groups to raise awareness among motorists

A 'ghost bicycle' - painted white - is parked in Clementi Road as a memorial to cyclist Benjamin Mok, who died last Wednesday after being hit by a suspected drunken driver. The bike is meant to raise awareness among drivers that cyclists also ply the roads. -- ST PHOTO: AZIZ HUSSIN

CYCLING groups are stepping up efforts to raise awareness of cyclists on Singapore roads.

From distributing car decals to lobbying for a national safe cycling campaign to be launched, groups across the island will be doing their bit to highlight the concerns of Singapore's growing cyclist population.

Cyclist safety is again under the spotlight after cyclist Benjamin Mok died last Wednesday after being hit by a suspected drunken driver three days earlier. The death of Mr Mok, a freelance writer who had a cycling blog, caused a stir in the cycling community.

Last week, a 'ghost bike' memorial was erected at the accident scene in Clementi Road. The used bike, painted white, is meant to raise awareness among drivers that cyclists also ply the roads they use.

'The roads are getting crowded as more people are cycling and there are also more cars. Road sharing is a message we want to spread,' said Mr Lee Zi Shin, founder of cycling forum group Togoparts.

The group will be giving out 1,000 car decals - with the slogan 'Let's share our roads' - next week to spread the message.

The forum's Web address - togoparts.com - will also be printed on the decal, and a page with tips for both drivers and cyclists for safe road usage will be posted.

Last year, there were 583 accidents and 19 deaths involving cyclists, down from 604 accidents and 22 fatalities in 2008. In 2007, there were 551 accidents and 22 deaths.

Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Home Affairs Masagos Zulkifli pointed out in Parliament in January that cyclists were found to be at fault in more than half of accidents involving bicycles.

The number, while decreasing, is still alarming and The Straits Times understands that a committee is also in discussion to launch a national safe cycling campaign later this year.

Safe Cycling Taskforce president Steven Lim is looking to increase the number of road signs that warn motorists of cyclists' presence in housing and industrial estates. Currently, there are at least 119 'Cyclists Ahead' signs in Singapore.

He also suggested that signs be painted on the roads to increase prominence.

Cycling groups interviewed said that to keep safe, they make it mandatory for members to have lights on their bikes and to wear helmets. Most also brief members on routes, highlighting roadworks and danger zones, before setting off.

'Those who come without helmets are told to go home,' said Ms Joyce Leong, founder of cycling club Joyriders. 'Safety is a priority.'

Calls for Singapore to have a dedicated bike lane are again being heard, especially after Tampines became the island's first cycling town, with footpaths widened to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists.

In his research paper, The Status Of Bicycles In Singapore, Dr Paul Barter, assistant professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, cited narrow kerbside lanes and high traffic speeds as dangers to cyclists and suggested that road designs be revised to take into account cyclists.

But the Land Transport Authority had previously said that having dedicated bicycle lanes was not feasible, given Singapore's land constraint.

Mr Lim believes motorists and cyclists need to change their attitudes: 'If both groups take their safety seriously and have some patience, they can share the roads safely.'

mavistoh@sph.com.sg

Ghost bike' memorial for Benjamin Mok, RIP (The New Paper)

2010-04-09T08:31:00.001+08:00

"'Ghost bike' memorial for dead biker," Danson Cheong. The New Paper, 30 Mar 2010. Cycling community puts white-painted bicycle at scene of fatal road accident.

IT WOULD be hard to miss this 'ghost' bicycle - painted white all over - parked along Clementi Road when you walk, drive or cycle by.
But what is likely to get your attention are the words on the placard hanging from the bike, especially the ones printed in bold: 'In Memory Of Ben Mok'.

Mr Mok, 35, a freelance writer, was cycling with his friend, Mr Leong Poh Meng, 22, a chef, along Clementi Road last Sunday night when they were hit from behind by a suspected drunken driver.

Mr Mok, who never regained consciousness after the accident, died in hospital on Wednesday from head injuries.

Mr Leong is conscious but is still in the hospital with head injuries.
The two friends were originally with a group of six riders until they split up into two groups.

In honour of Mr Mok, the cycling community decided to come together to erect a memorial.

Mr Peter Chew, a close friend of Mr Mok's, told The New Paper: "'Ghost bikes' first appeared in the US at places where cyclists have been knocked down.

'It serves as both a warning to other cyclists and a reminder to drivers that cyclists also ply the roads they use.'

The idea of a 'ghost bike' was first mooted by netizens on popular cycling forum Togoparts.com. Dozens of cyclists were spurred into action.

Some offered their vehicles for transportation. Others offered paint supplies and other equipment.

Mr Chew, who owns a bicycle shop in Kovan, offered to supply a used bicycle.

The 51-year-old, who has known Mr Mok for 19 years, said: 'Ben lived in Bukit Timah, but he would still come by once a week to my shop just to chat and play with my dogs.'

When The New Paper visited Mr Chew's bicycle shop yesterday afternoon, the bicycle was still being painted outside the shop.

But by late last night, the bicycle was placed under lock near the scene of the accident. Mr Chew had been working on the bike the entire day with two other cyclists.

Memorial
One of the cyclists, who wanted to be known only by his online moniker 'Maskrider', said: 'This will serve as a remembrance of Ben.'

Their only worry is that their memorial to their fallen friend would be removed by the authorities.

Mr Chew said: "This is the first 'ghost bike' in Singapore. Let's hope it's also the last." Last year, 17 cyclists and pillion riders died on the road, down from 22 in 2008.

In the accident on March 21, the 62-year-old driver, a doctor, was arrested for suspected drink driving and is now out on bail.

The police are appealing for witnesses. Anyone with information can call 18005471818.

From the comments: "dotted line on the road" to gauge safe gaps for cyclists

2010-04-06T18:29:00.001+08:00

From the comments:

Rod said...

"Yea im a teen and i enjoy cycling and its true i believe LTA should Draw some kind of dotted line on the road to allow cars to gauge how big the gap is to overtake a cyclist so its safer that way."

Back2Nature said...

"I think Rod's idea is simple and effective. Hope this can be done.
1) It supports the current driving lesson and raise the awareness to drivers who may missed or have forgotten about how to safely over take bicycles.

2) It is cheap. A very sparsely spaced, e.g. 20m gaps, dashed line will do. Can start from heavy bicycle traffic roads first.

3) It is technically and legally not a cycling lane. Thus, it doesn't go against LTA's [wrong] argument on space limitation.

4) It should encourage more to ride on roads, thus may eventually create the demand/reason/rationale/need/etc. for the authority to start converting some of these into proper cycling lanes."

RIP Benjamin Mok

2010-03-26T09:14:00.002+08:00

Update from Lee Chuen Ling:

A memorial website has been set up for Ben at http://www.benmokpedalon.com

"As a responsible and safe cyclist, Ben would’ve appealed for calm in light of the situation. Fellow cyclists who wish to show their support for Ben are advised to attend the funeral mass with their cycling helmets instead. Please be appropriately dressed for church."

"One of two cyclists hit by car in Clementi dies," by Mavis Goh. The Straits Times, 25 Mar 2010. Drink-driving suspect also under probe for hit-and-run offence.

"Freelance writer Benjamin Mok, 35, died in hospital
without regaining consciousness.

ONE of two cyclists knocked down in Clementi on Sunday night by a suspected drink-driver died in hospital yesterday from head injuries.

Freelance writer Benjamin Mok Chee Kong, 35, never regained consciousness after the accident.

The 62-year-old suspect, a general practitioner, could be facing more trouble as he is under investigation for a hit-and-run offence.

The Straits Times understands that he had left the scene after the accident, and returned later. He was arrested and is currently out on bail.

Mr Mok and his friend, Mr Bertram Leong Poh Meng, 22, a chef, had been out on a routine cycling trip on Sunday night.

The two of them were initially in a group of six, but were with just one other friend when cycling along Clementi Road. They were headed towards Upper Bukit Timah Road for supper when the accident happened.

Mr Leong is in the National University Hospital (NUH) with head injuries.

A secondary schoolmate, who did not want to be named, said Mr Leong had no recollection of the accident and remembered only being in an ambulance.

He added that Mr Leong was recovering and would be moved out of the high-dependency ward soon. Since the accident, Mr Mok's friends and family had rallied around his bed at NUH.

Mr Mok had been an active cyclist for many years and had ridden overseas in countries like the United States.

A close friend, Mr Nic Mok, 23, said the cyclist was very particular about road safety and had always insisted on wearing full safety gear such as helmet and gloves, and having front and rear lights when on the road.

'I was distraught when I heard the news. It was shocking because he is usually very cautious,' he added.

He said the two of them used to cycle and train together, often past midnight, about five times a week but had cut down the frequency because they had difficulties fitting into each other's schedule.

Mr Mok said his friend did not mind cycling alone, usually in places like Lim Chu Kang and Mandai roads.

Mr Steven Lim, 43, president of Safe Cycling Task Force, said cyclists are vulnerable on the road because of their size and speed.

'Generally when cyclists are travelling on the left lane, other motorists tend to squeeze in with them instead of giving them space,' he added.

Last year, 17 cyclists and pillion riders died on the road, down from 22 in 2008.

The police are appealing for witnesses. Anyone with information can call the police on 1800-547-1818."

mavgoh@sph.com.sg

Facebook Group - "The Cause for Dedicated Cycle Lanes in Singapore"

2010-03-06T09:40:00.001+08:00

Inspired by his cycling and driving experience in Melbourne, Gideon Sim has started a Facebook group - "The Cause for Dedicated Cycle Lanes in Singapore" and invites everyone to join him in his social initiative.

Gideon says, "I do not claim to be a professional, amateur, or even a good cyclist, only an enthusiastic one." Join the group to learn more and get involved in the discussion there.

Cycling turns calories into fitness

2010-03-06T09:13:00.003+08:00

Group of 60 to 84 on round Singapore island cycling trip

It's refreshing to read in the news that a group of 60-84 is on a cycling trip around Singapore (140km). This is a great demonstration that cycling produce fit people. I recall the days in Holland seeing old folks cycling along the high street, occasionally stopping by the shops, buying breakfast or have a coffee. Street is safe and lively. Most of the older colleague I know are rather fit and active. On my first week started work there, I was surprised to see so many old folks in the Saturday market. "This is a really ageing society!" I thought. Later I realise, most of their elderly are much more active compare to people of similar age in Hong Kong. They keep cycle to shop everyday.

I remember one day I was surprised to find a drawing of a 14 meters boat on my colleague's drafting table. Tinus, my colleague, is a TV designer and is about to retire at the age of 65. He was looking forward to his retirement and is planning to built his own boat!

Research find people bicycling daily is physically 10 years younger than their inactive peer, generally living a more enjoyable and productive life. I saw so many people riding a bicycle to work everyday. It is no surprise that the ageing population in Holland is also the fittest.

I look forward to see the establishment of the first cycling town in Tampenis to be followed by the rest of Singapore. Imagine the productivity gain if most Singaporean become 10 years younger physically, thanks to frequent cycling to work? I am sure the happiness index will increase too, due to higher productivity and sense of self-worthiness.

Harry van Veen, 62, with 3 grandchildren and 2 dogs on his bike. he cycle 30km to his work

Tampines is the first cycling town in Singapore everyday

Originally posted at the jz88 blog

Article on "Road safety and cycling in Singapore" at Red Sports

2010-02-26T10:05:00.001+08:00

Click to read...

Inconsiderate cyclists on pedestrian paths pose a safety threat

2010-02-25T07:46:00.001+08:00

"Don't compromise safety," letter from Max Yeo. Today Online, 23 Feb 2010.

RECENTLY, my wife tripped and rolled down a grass path along Block 647 Yishun St 61 because of an uncovered drain. This happened because she was trying to avoid some cyclists. She now has a bruised swollen knee and elbow. She had only a few choices left to her at that time.

She could either have stayed on the path and been knocked down by the cyclists, step into the uncovered drain and possibly break her leg, or hop across the drain onto the grass patch beyond it.

She took the third option and that was how she slipped and fell.

I had reported the uncovered, 76-cm deep drain to the relevant authorities last year but nothing much was done except that a yellow line was drawn along it. The Sembawang Town Council also wrote back to tell me that the "apron drain slabs" had been removed some years ago upon instructions from the National Environment Agency to prevent mosquitoes breeding.

It said the apron drains in the estate are covered only at footpath crossings and areas with many children, for example near the child care centre and kindergarten.

I don't see why the drain can't be covered and regular maintenance done to prevent mosquitoes from breeding. How can residents' safety be compromised?

---
"Cyclists are more reckless now," letter from Charles Remedios. Today Online, 25 Feb 2010.

I REFER to "Don't compromise safety" (Feb 23). The accident suffered by Mr Max Yeo's wife is indeed unfortunate. The reason for the accident is the reckless behaviour by cyclists who use the pedestrian pathway.

Pathways are meant for pedestrians but many cyclists assume they have right of way and expect pedestrians to get out of their way; this happens not only on pathways but also at pedestrian crossings.

It is rare to see a cyclist dismounting and pushing his bike where there is heavy pedestrian traffic. More often then not, the cyclist will ring his bell and zoom past or head straight for pedestrians, forcing them to jump out of his way as Mr Teo's wife did, with unfortunate results.

Cyclists and pedestrians know that in any accident involving a pedestrian and a cyclist, it will be the pedestrian who will suffer the greater injury and this fear forces the latter to quickly get out of the way.

This defensive action has emboldened cyclists. With the increasing number of motorised bicycles using pedestrian pathways, the incidence and seriousness of accidents is now greater.

Education and persuasion have not had an impact on the behaviour of cyclists and the millions of dollars spent on surveys, campaigns, and even the creation of so called "shared pathways" seem to have been a waste. In fact, wider pathways could be encouraging cyclists to travel at even greater speeds.

The Police need to enforce the law and protect those most vulnerable.

Singapore Sports Council's Safe Cycling Guide

2010-01-26T15:05:00.001+08:00

I just learnt of this lovely 48-page pdf booklet which various groups contributed to. It is a great resource for cyclists starting out and a great read even for cyclists who have wandered the streets for some time.

I have placed a copy on my server (click to download pdf)

I first saw a link to this guide posted on the Safe Cycling Task Force (SCTF) blog [link] which has begin to get populated with posts. I'm looking forward to more!

Westward Ho! A safe ride on the Western Park Connector, which links eight parks

2010-01-18T23:13:00.001+08:00

While the debate about cycling to work ensues, the quiet and continued improvements to the park connector network promise to enhance the leisure cycling population of Singapore in the years ahead. After almost two decades, there is a safe way for the leisure cyclists to take to the streets and it is a cause for celebration!

If a path near your home has the PCN mark, rest assured you have a link to much wider and safe routes. Eventually this number will venture to the roads and join the call for better conditions on the road for cyclists and help to ponder the solutions.

Ever since I heard that eight parks in the west were connected, I have been itching to give the Western Park Connector Network a twhirl. So two Sundays ago I headed out and the critical new addition? A bridge over the PIE! Now it is possible to cycle from Ghim Moh to Choa Chu Kang and Dairy Farm - all without fighting traffic! Yes, there is a safe reason to dust off that old bicycle now.

My fellow Zendog, Chi had scouted the route and along with Cat, Airani and Aaron, we took a slow ride (average speed 13km/h) through the Western PCN. Despite the lack of a sea view, athe western route is topographically more interesting than the coastal part of the eastern PCN, which connects Pasir Ris to Fort Road.

Our route that day included Dairy Farm, Bt Batok, Jurong, Choa Chu Kang, Pang Sua, Bt Panjang and Zhenghua. The links are smooth and much of the route is shaded. The government has certainly invested a lot of money in the PCN and it was quite a privilege to enjoy the ride! It's surely time for the average Joe to buy a bike and enjoy the plantings, routes and scenes - touring the neighbourhoods would definitely be an eye-opener for people from other parts of the island.

Zendogs are pretty familiar with the west, but even for us there are always new things and people to observe - a man was quarreling with a crow, whom he said had pecked his head. When we left he was still brandishing his slipper - and the bird was following him - quite a personal altercation!

There are some pedestrian clusters through which you have to ride slowly or even dismount unless skillful enough to ride at a walking pace. Interestingly, people at these clusters were comfortable with our bikes, with no signs of nervousness that is sometimes observed elsewhere. We rode slowly, of course, extending to pedestrians the sort of courtesy we would like to receive from vehicles on the road. Since we were at a walking pace in some instances, we could even chat with some pedestrians!

All along, the route was well signposted. The connections were really easy to make as well.

The Hillview Park Connector is a converted pavements for most of its length which run past condo entrances - these require cyclists to be alert about vehicles entering and leaving their premises. Since it was a quiet morning, I switched to the wide road, a better option here, I felt. Thankfully, most of the connectors are alongside rivers (canals) and MRT tracks - these were heavenly!

I only had an hour's sleep the night before and had a lingering cough but the rest had assured me a comfortable ride. True enough, I enjoyed the ride and covered 46km. The last bit through Zhenghua Park heralds the end with a rustic feel complemented by the design of the benches and playground and the type of plants - rainforest tree species which were planted, for a majestic future.

So what are you waiting for? Buy a bicycle and tour the west! In future the other PCNs will just as well be connected up. When the PCNs are then all linked, a leisure cycling paradise awaits you. It will be a great way to get to know Singapore. Meanwhile, my verdict? Five stars, out of five!

Links

Photo album of my ride - link

NParks: Park Connector Network - link

(Cyclists) Victims usually have themselves to blame

2010-01-13T14:27:00.004+08:00

By Neo Chai Chin, Today Online, 13 Jan 2010. chaichin@mediacorp.com.sg

SINGAPORE — More often than not, cyclists are at fault when it comes to fatal or serious road traffic accidents involving them.

This has been the case in more than 50 per cent of such accidents between January and September of the last two years, said Senior Parliamentary Secretary of Home Affairs Masagos Zulkifli in Parliament yesterday.

Common causes for the accidents include changing lanes without due care, failing to keep a lookout, and failing to give way to traffic with right of way.

He was replying to Tampines Member of Parliament Irene Ng’s query on how roads could be made safer for cyclists.

Despite the recent spate of news reports about cyclists involved in accidents, Mr Masagos said the number of fatal and serious accidents had gone down.

In the first nine months of last year, there were 420 cases, a decrease of 30 cases from the same period in 2008.
The Traffic Police are also proactive in taking errant cyclists to task, issuing 471 summons in 2008, and 1,300 summons in the first nine months of last year.

The Traffic Police’s public education efforts include talks and exhibitions in schools, and showing videos to foreign workers. Learner drivers are also taught to keep 1.5m from cyclists and to check their blind spots for cyclists and motorcyclists, Mr Masagos said.

-----------------------

Chu Wa: "This is a wake up call for those who cycle carelessly. But it is not an excuse to NOT consider to make the road design more safe for cyclist -- What about the rest of the "accident"? Those who cycle carefully, follow the rules, and still get killed or hurt? Do they have to blame themselves as well? bad luck? Certainly the current road design can be improved to provide safer space for cyclists."

Ed's note: "Oral Answer to Parliamentary Question on what is being done to prevent accidents involving cyclists," 12 January 2010. Ministry of Home Affairs "Home Team Speeches" (see Paul Barter's comment below).
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Ms Irene Ng Phek Hoong:

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs given the recent accidents involving cyclists on roads, what is being done to:

(i) improve safety on roads for cyclists;
(ii) educate motorists that cyclists have a right to be on the roads;
(iii) condition motorists to look out for cyclists.

Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Mr Masagos Zulkifli:
In the first nine months of 2009, there were 420 fatal and injury accidents involving cyclists. This is a decrease of 30 cases, or 6.7%, as compared to the same period in 2008. The number of fatal accidents in the first nine months this year has also decreased to 15, from 18 in the same period last year.

2 Investigations show that for fatal and serious road traffic accidents involving cyclists over the first 9 months of both 2009 and 2008, slightly more than 50% of the cyclists are found to be at fault. The common causes of accidents where the cyclists are at fault are namely changing lane without due care, failing to keep a proper look out, and failing to give way to traffic with right of way.

3 The Traffic Police has been educating the public on safe cycling habits as well as the proper sharing of roads by cyclists and other road users.

4 Traffic Police conducts road safety talks and exhibitions at schools and community-level events to educate all cyclists on traffic rules and regulations. These talks cover a pre-riding checklist, safe cycling tips and case studies of accidents involving cyclists. As part of the on-going “Road Safety Outreach Campaign”, posters and leaflets on cyclist safety are also handed out during these talks and exhibitions. To reach out to foreign worker cyclists, Traffic Police produces and screens a safe cycling video in different languages at the Ministry of Manpower premises and at the dormitories.

5 Motorists also have a significant role to play on our busy roads in according due care to cyclists. This is underscored from the onset of a learner driver’s theory and practical training. Motorists are therefore taught to give a side clearance of not less than 1.5 metres from cyclists when passing them. Motorists are also taught not to make sharp turns at corners and to slow down and give way to cyclists if it is not safe to turn. It is a strict requirement for trainees to check their blind spots during driving instructions and tests. This is to ensure that drivers are aware of motorcyclists and cyclists who might not come within their mirror views.

6 While Police will continue in their efforts to educate the public and take the necessary enforcement action, all cyclists and motorists must play their part and take responsibility for their own safety as well as according due care to the safety of other users of our roads.

"When the lines are fuzzy and nobody has the right of way"

2010-01-11T23:00:00.001+08:00

"Be a cyclist in Singapore? No chance at all." By Tan Hui Yee. The Straits Times, 04 Jan 2010.

IT IS a sight that would make the skin of any driver crawl: A weathered old lady hurtling down the road's fastest lane on a kamikaze bicycle ride against the flow of traffic.

Kamikaze Auntie is usually found in the central districts of Singapore. She is robust enough to ride her bike without wobbling, but old enough to give you a tongue-lashing if you dare tell her she is riding dangerously. After all, it is illegal to cycle on footpaths in Singapore, she will snarl.

Against this backdrop, drivers probably felt nothing but relief when Tampines town announced last month that it was going to be the Republic's first cycling town. The two-wheelers would be given space on expanded footpaths so they could ride safely and legally alongside pedestrians.

But this has got some pedestrians all worked up. At work one day, I was treated to a long tirade from a colleague about the looming threat of gory deaths in Tampines as reckless cyclists mow down hapless residents.

'Look at what it is like in East Coast Park,' she cried. 'That is what it is going to be like in Tampines.'

Singapore's most popular seaside park is home to a whirlwind of high-speed cyclists, in-line skaters, joggers and campers. Jaw-dropping pile-ups are common there, as unsuspecting park strollers stumble into the paths of speeding skaters or cyclists.

It is true that dangerous cyclists are a hazard both on roads and on footpaths. Kamikaze Aunties aside, there are also clumsy cyclists who wobble along the road at low speed, as well as professional-looking athletes who are apt to weave from road to footpath, or vice versa, on a whim.

These cyclists stand little chance on the roads in a country known for bad driving. At least 15 cyclists lose their lives each year, many to drivers who feel that the roads belong to cars - especially their car.

The fact that the Land Transport Authority has resisted calls to build proper cycling lanes is probably one of the reasons that Tampines is expanding its footpaths for cyclists.

Still, the simmering debate begs the question: Do cyclists belong on the road or the footpath?

It is an issue which no amount of finger-pointing is going to resolve, but recent road traffic experiments in Europe might hold a clue.

In the bustling Dutch town of Drachten, the authorities have removed traffic lights, road markings and some pedestrian crossings. Lane markers are absent and there are no kerbs separating the street from the pavement. It is not clear who has the right of way, nor how fast drivers can go.

Conditions which most people would presume cause anarchy have produced the opposite effect: Traffic moves smoothly as drivers slow down to gauge the intentions of cyclists and pedestrians. All parties make eye contact with each other as they negotiate their usage of the ambiguous space. In short, the street has turned out to be safer for everybody, precisely because nobody has the right of way.

The Drachten experiment may be too out of this world for a place like Singapore, where there are clear rules telling people where they can eat and how to wash their hands. But the principles that apply in Drachten could well apply - in reverse - in East Coast Park.

Traffic engineer Hans Monderman, who reworked Drachten's roads, believes that clear lanes and street signs give drivers a false sense of security. Drivers speed down these lanes thinking there are no obstructions, which increases the severity of accidents should something catch them unawares.

According to Mr Monderman, lowering speed limits does not help if all other visual cues tell the driver that the road ahead is clear.

Which explains the pile-ups on the cycling paths in East Coast Park. The dedicated trails give cyclists the impression that they have the right of way and prompt them to throw caution to the wind.

Instead of erecting speed limit signs and slapping yet more penalties on errant cyclists, perhaps the authorities should be looking in the other direction. Perhaps the spaces - be they walking or cycling trails or secondary roads - should not be so clearly demarcated in the first place. (Note, here, that expressways are not part of this discussion, as such high-speed roads perform a key function in the transport system.)

After all, if footpaths are meant for pedestrians, and cycling paths are meant for bicycles, where should skateboarders and in-line skaters go? Where do motorised wheelchairs fit in, for that matter, or zippy two-wheel Segways, which are neither bikes nor wheelchairs?

How can the Singapore transport system accommodate a growing list of mobility gadgets in a meaningful way, without further cramping the available space we have?

Bus lanes need not exist if motorists gave way to buses on the roads. Similarly, cycling lanes would not be needed if motorists took care when overtaking them on the roads, and if cyclists themselves looked out for the safety of pedestrians in their way.

It might sound counter-intuitive, but the journey ahead could be a lot smoother if every road or path user had to learn to negotiate the space with every other user.

When the lines are fuzzy and nobody has the right of way, there could be just enough space for everybody, even Kamikaze Auntie.

NTU Bike Rally 2010 - Sun 21 Feb 2010

2009-12-24T08:21:00.001+08:00

The much-awaited 128km round-island NTU Bike Rally has been announced to be on Sunday 21st February 2010. A new feature in next year's race is an optional 168km route - two additional loops to Tuas and the Causeway which will be open for a short window to the faster cyclists.

Many NTU students participate in the rally using rented bikes and pedal under a hot sun for 128km - that makes for a tough challenge but also lots of company along the entire stretch. The feeling of accomplishment for these cyclists is indeed considerable.

The registration fees are $15 for NTU Student/ Staff/ Alumni, and $23 for members of the public. Registration closes on 7th February 2010. See: http://bikerally.ntusportsclub.sg/

ST 14 Dec 2009 - "Tampines set to be first cycling town"

2009-12-17T17:28:00.001+08:00

"Tampines set to be first cycling town," by Jennani Durai. The Straits Times, 14 Dec 2009 Successful trial and new infrastructure pave the way for shared footpaths.

Tampines GRC MPs (from left) Masagos Zulkifli, Ong Kian Min, Sin Boon Ann, Mah Bow Tan, Irene Ng and North East district mayor Teo Ser Luck waving to say 'thank you' during the launch of the Tampines Safe Cycling Clinic yesterday morning. The two-hour clinics, conducted by volunteer cycling wardens, will teach cyclists traffic rules and cycling etiquette. -- ST Photo: Ashleigh Sim

"FROM March 1 next year, footways in Tampines will be shared by pedestrians and cyclists alike as it becomes Singapore's first cycling town.

A two-year trial to see if this could be safely done has been successful, the Tampines MPs said yesterday.

The Members of Parliament said the trial found that very few cyclists rode recklessly, and a majority of residents - 53 per cent in 2007 and 65 per cent this year - supported the sharing of walkways.

The Group Representation Constituency (GRC) has been working with the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and the Traffic Police since May 2007 to assess the feasibility of making Tampines a model cycling town, said MP Masagos Zulkifli.

'Cycling is an environmentally friendly and healthy mode of transport and Tampines, being a compact town, is an ideal choice,' he noted.

With Tampines MRT station as a focal point, the farthest block is only 2km away. He said: 'With facilities, schools and shops in close proximity, more and more residents are choosing bicycles as their preferred mode of transport to travel about in Tampines.'

The trial was sparked by a 2005 parliamentary debate in which Tampines GRC MP Irene Ng called for cyclists to be allowed to ride on footways, in the light of an increasing number of them having been involved in fatal accidents on busy roads.

But the decision was conditional on three key features - infrastructure, education and enforcement - being implemented together, said Mr Masagos.

The GRC began widening footways to accommodate both pedestrians and cyclists. The town council also constructed two new stretches of bicycle paths, and the LTA will be building 6.9km of bicycle paths in the first half of next year.

Yesterday also marked the launch of the Tampines Safe Cycling Clinics, funded by the North East Community Development Council. The two-hour clinics, conducted by volunteer cycling wardens, will teach cyclists traffic rules and cycling etiquette.

The clinics are an initiative of North East district mayor Teo Ser Luck, who set up the Safe Cycling Task Force for the Tampines project. He lost a friend, Mr Sylvester Ang, to a cycling accident in 2004. 'His wife said to me, don't let his death go to waste,' he recalled.

As a further check, Mr Masagos said the by-laws would be amended to allow the Tampines Town Council to hand out fines of between $50 and $1,000 to errant cyclists. Reckless cyclists can also be taken to court and fined up to $5,000.

The by-laws will ensure that errant cyclists do not ruin the system for the majority of safe cyclists, said Minister for National Development and Tampines MP Mah Bow Tan.

Residents hope this will be the case.

'Footpaths are where you would feel safe from cars, but if you add cyclists to the paths, you have to always be alert,' said student Penelope Teo, 22.

But Mr Mah is confident that conflicts between cyclists and pedestrians will be minimised in time. 'The message we want to give cyclists is that the pedestrians have the right of way. If you want to behave like a motorist, go on the road,' he said."

jennanid@sph.com.sg
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To read more, see the older articles here about Tampines - link and the ST Discussion Forum - link.