It's the collective point of view as a society that kills all of us - how we see cycling as an inferior mode of transport, e.g. because long long long time ago, only poor people from China/<insert developing world country name> cycle as a mode of transport.
Humans are social group animals and Singaporeans have been institutionalised to obey rules and norms, so many of us conform to the prevalent view. Also, our government keeps "rescuing" all of us by solving problems quietly, leading to many Singaporeans to think "Aiyah, the government will solve this if important. Why bother to advocate change?"
Hi, being a cyclist who cycled on the roads. I have many close calls to being flatten by cars. In Singapore some drivers don't keep a distance from cyclist and we don't have cycling lanes on the road. Maybe our roads are too expensive to have cycling lanes. There are park connectors but limited to some parts of the island.
Thanks for this article. I believe this should be spread to other Singaporeans - you have articulated the exact point where there has been lack of mention. All the best!
For those in "the missing middle", do take note of the existing regulations around the maximum size of the mobility device. I was actually really keen on getting a cargo bike to transport my kids to and from school especially after seeing it being used very commonly in Europe. But these regulations and the high cost makes it very prohibitive for me to do so.
Not against bicycles, but against road bikers. If they keep to the rules it's still fine, but most of those i see don't. And if you're doing last mile, you can stick to pedestrian paths, and ride carefully (not speeding). I personally do that, and have not offended anyone nor gotten negative remarks. No one (I hope) is against what you're proposing here, which is bicycle as a last mile transport (or perhaps even longer), but we are most definitely against irresponsible bikers who think that they own the roads. You shouldn't be excusing bikers by saying misbehaving ones only causes inconvenience. Their actions could cause accidents as well because of the other vehicles on the roads. When road bikers show they're responsible, then they will be accepted. You're right that everyone is welcome to share the public roads, but perhaps the bikers are the ones that should understand this
Excellent post! Time is money, and being forced to spend more time on an everyday commute is indeed a form of "Tax". This is a refreshing and inspiring way to approach transportation issues. I wish to read more :)
I wholeheartedly agree with this post! Cycling alone from where I live to the nearest ActiveSG center halved my ride time, from a 30-minute walk to just a 15-minute bike ride, or even less depending on my luck with the traffic lights. The problem, however, is that we need to make rental bicycles more accessible! There are times when I can't find a bicycle (I usually use HelloRide, by the way, along with AnyWheel) and it gets quite frustrating!
You might be wondering why I don't just own my own bike. But I feel that the convenience we get from these kinds of rental bikes is far greater than owning one ourselves, as we can ride them anywhere as long as we can find one, especially when our ending point isn't the same as our next starting point.
I wholeheartedly agree with this post! Cycling alone from where I live to the nearest ActiveSG center halved my ride time, from a 30-minute walk to just a 15-minute bike ride, or even less depending on my luck with the traffic lights. The problem, however, is that we need to make rental bicycles more accessible! There are times when I can't find a bicycle (I usually use HelloRide, by the way, along with AnyWheel) and it gets quite frustrating!
You might be wondering why I don't just own my own bike. But I feel that the convenience we get from these kinds of rental bikes is far greater than owning one ourselves, as we can ride them anywhere as long as we can find one, especially when our ending point isn't the same as our next starting point.
I wholeheartedly agree with this post! Cycling alone from where I live to the nearest ActiveSG center halved my ride time, from a 30-minute walk to just a 15-minute bike ride, or even less depending on my luck with the traffic lights. The problem, however, is that we need to make rental bicycles more accessible! There are times when I can't find a bicycle (I usually use HelloRide, by the way, along with AnyWheel) and it gets quite frustrating!
You might be wondering why I don't just own my own bike. But I feel that the convenience we get from these kinds of rental bikes is far greater than owning one ourselves, as we can ride them anywhere as long as we can find one, especially when our ending point isn't the same as our next starting point.
I wholeheartedly agree with this post! Cycling alone from where I live to the nearest ActiveSG center halved my ride time, from a 30-minute walk to just a 15-minute bike ride, or even less depending on my luck with the traffic lights. The problem, however, is that we need to make rental bicycles more accessible! There are times when I can't find a bicycle (I usually use HelloRide, by the way, along with AnyWheel) and it gets quite frustrating!
You might be wondering why I don't just own my own bike. But I feel that the convenience we get from these kinds of rental bikes is far greater than owning one ourselves, as we can ride them anywhere as long as we can find one, especially when our ending point isn't the same as our next starting point.
It's the collective point of view as a society that kills all of us - how we see cycling as an inferior mode of transport, e.g. because long long long time ago, only poor people from China/<insert developing world country name> cycle as a mode of transport.
Humans are social group animals and Singaporeans have been institutionalised to obey rules and norms, so many of us conform to the prevalent view. Also, our government keeps "rescuing" all of us by solving problems quietly, leading to many Singaporeans to think "Aiyah, the government will solve this if important. Why bother to advocate change?"
Hi, being a cyclist who cycled on the roads. I have many close calls to being flatten by cars. In Singapore some drivers don't keep a distance from cyclist and we don't have cycling lanes on the road. Maybe our roads are too expensive to have cycling lanes. There are park connectors but limited to some parts of the island.
Hi,
Thanks for this article. I believe this should be spread to other Singaporeans - you have articulated the exact point where there has been lack of mention. All the best!
For those in "the missing middle", do take note of the existing regulations around the maximum size of the mobility device. I was actually really keen on getting a cargo bike to transport my kids to and from school especially after seeing it being used very commonly in Europe. But these regulations and the high cost makes it very prohibitive for me to do so.
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/new-rules-for-bicycles-other-novel-mobility-devices-to-kick-in-from-march-1
I feel Motorcycle is still quite affordable. While accident rates are higher than car. It's as safe as a bicycle riding on roads in my opinion.
While it still have other cost like insurance, parking road tax etc. It's still much much lower than a car.
But the Chinese(Most) mother will not allow her son to ride.
Not against bicycles, but against road bikers. If they keep to the rules it's still fine, but most of those i see don't. And if you're doing last mile, you can stick to pedestrian paths, and ride carefully (not speeding). I personally do that, and have not offended anyone nor gotten negative remarks. No one (I hope) is against what you're proposing here, which is bicycle as a last mile transport (or perhaps even longer), but we are most definitely against irresponsible bikers who think that they own the roads. You shouldn't be excusing bikers by saying misbehaving ones only causes inconvenience. Their actions could cause accidents as well because of the other vehicles on the roads. When road bikers show they're responsible, then they will be accepted. You're right that everyone is welcome to share the public roads, but perhaps the bikers are the ones that should understand this
Excellent post! Time is money, and being forced to spend more time on an everyday commute is indeed a form of "Tax". This is a refreshing and inspiring way to approach transportation issues. I wish to read more :)
What about those who have difficulty bending their knees, they won't be able to cycle, only walk slowly!.
I wholeheartedly agree with this post! Cycling alone from where I live to the nearest ActiveSG center halved my ride time, from a 30-minute walk to just a 15-minute bike ride, or even less depending on my luck with the traffic lights. The problem, however, is that we need to make rental bicycles more accessible! There are times when I can't find a bicycle (I usually use HelloRide, by the way, along with AnyWheel) and it gets quite frustrating!
You might be wondering why I don't just own my own bike. But I feel that the convenience we get from these kinds of rental bikes is far greater than owning one ourselves, as we can ride them anywhere as long as we can find one, especially when our ending point isn't the same as our next starting point.
I wholeheartedly agree with this post! Cycling alone from where I live to the nearest ActiveSG center halved my ride time, from a 30-minute walk to just a 15-minute bike ride, or even less depending on my luck with the traffic lights. The problem, however, is that we need to make rental bicycles more accessible! There are times when I can't find a bicycle (I usually use HelloRide, by the way, along with AnyWheel) and it gets quite frustrating!
You might be wondering why I don't just own my own bike. But I feel that the convenience we get from these kinds of rental bikes is far greater than owning one ourselves, as we can ride them anywhere as long as we can find one, especially when our ending point isn't the same as our next starting point.
I wholeheartedly agree with this post! Cycling alone from where I live to the nearest ActiveSG center halved my ride time, from a 30-minute walk to just a 15-minute bike ride, or even less depending on my luck with the traffic lights. The problem, however, is that we need to make rental bicycles more accessible! There are times when I can't find a bicycle (I usually use HelloRide, by the way, along with AnyWheel) and it gets quite frustrating!
You might be wondering why I don't just own my own bike. But I feel that the convenience we get from these kinds of rental bikes is far greater than owning one ourselves, as we can ride them anywhere as long as we can find one, especially when our ending point isn't the same as our next starting point.
I wholeheartedly agree with this post! Cycling alone from where I live to the nearest ActiveSG center halved my ride time, from a 30-minute walk to just a 15-minute bike ride, or even less depending on my luck with the traffic lights. The problem, however, is that we need to make rental bicycles more accessible! There are times when I can't find a bicycle (I usually use HelloRide, by the way, along with AnyWheel) and it gets quite frustrating!
You might be wondering why I don't just own my own bike. But I feel that the convenience we get from these kinds of rental bikes is far greater than owning one ourselves, as we can ride them anywhere as long as we can find one, especially when our ending point isn't the same as our next starting point.
In Singapore, road tax is _not_ based on emissions. Just ask any EV owners. They pay more tax than any ICE vehicle of equivalent power.
Good idea.