Below is taken from Today Online. I was thinking of compiling how many cyclists we have in Singapore. To do a survey.

Cycling – a green, healthy solution to our traffic woes
Letter from PATRICIA CHEE, BUKIT TIMAH

I REFER to “The politics of sidewalks” (March 15-16). There seems to be growing demand for bicycle lanes in Singapore, yet urban planners do not seem to be heeding these calls.

Cycling offers several benefits. It can help ease our transportation woes and help reduce global warming and improve our health. It will also help us save money by countering the effects of rising oil prices. Kudos to Members of Parliament Teo Ser Luck and Irene Ng for raising this issue recently in Parliament. I think our urban planners should walk around more often. They could, for example, go to Bedok MRT station, and see for themselves, the large numbers of bicycles chained to any available guard rail and tree. They should also ride a bicycle along the East Coast Park and feel the wind blowing in their faces. This is far more enjoyable than being squeezed with other commuters in air conditioned “comfort”.

Some major cities are already pushing bicycles as an alternative means of transport. Paris, Barcelona, Geneva, Stockholm, Oslo and Vienna offer bicycles for rent as they try to reduce the number of cars in big cities, improve air quality and provide a fun alternative to trains. In Paris and Barcelona thousands have bought low-cost annual passes to rent bicycles from hundreds of stations located throughout the cities. Organisers of the 2012 London Olympics are considering a ban on the use of cars at all the Games’ major venues, meaning spectators would have to walk, cycle or use public transport.

Singapore should consider these creative approaches to solving traffic congestion instead of tweaking ERPs and COEs.

Cyclists just want to reach their destination in one piece
Letter from WU XIANGCHAO, HOUGANG

I REFER to “The politics of sidewalks”. Ravi Veloo refers to a rule created in 1981 that makes it illegal for cyclists to ride on the pavement — Rule 28 of the Road Traffic Rules. However, there were probably more pedestrians in 1981 than there are now. Since then, more pavements and footpaths have been constructed, so the rule is less relevant today. There are inconsiderate cyclists, just as there are inconsiderate drivers and pedestrians.

There are several ways for me to travel from my home in Hougang to my weekly game of soccer in Sengkang. Going by bus takes at least 40 minutes. The MRT takes 30 minutes but is more expensive. But it takes just 20 minutes to cycle to my game. Cycling down Upper Serangoon Road, just off Hougang Avenue 8 is dangerous. I have to fight for space with heavy vehicles, buses and cars that sometimes get too close.

Meanwhile, the pavement along this stretch of road remains mostly empty. I have seen signs along Hougang Avenue 2, opposite the stadium, which states that cyclists are prohibited from riding there. All cyclists are asking for is a safe, cheap and convenient way of getting to our destinations.

And in reply to Mr Veloo’s last question: In 2006, about 500 summonses were issued for cycling offences.

Refer to Ms Patricia Chee’s letter, not only visit Bedok MRT to see how many bicycles. Go to Boon Lay, Tampines. You will see lots of bicycles. Refer to Mr Wu Xiangchao’s letter, I have encounter this problem when I was riding along West Coast Highway. Which I don’t ride there anymore, due to too far to reach my workplace. Currently, I’m riding along the MRT route which is faster.

Below the above article, is an article says, “We Can’t Share The Pavement” It is pedestrians complaining. Which is why I don’t ride on pavement. When there is no people, I will ride on the pavement. If there are a few people, I just brisk push it, very slowly. But most of the time, I’m riding on the very side of the road. At the yellow line. 0.05 percent, I will be on the pavement. Which is rarely. Cos I’m doing my cycling training, and riding on pavement is when I’m dead tired. And I rarely use the pavement. Cos most of the time I’m really, really tired, there is no pavement around for me to push my bicycle! *Laughs* If I stop and push my bicycle, I’m destroying my training.

A cute video to share, which taken from an email that my friend received from her friends.

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