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

"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?

"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

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.

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"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

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

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

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

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.