Bus lanes ...BusBike idea to make it safer on SG roads

 Do you know as cyclist, you can cycle in the bus lanes?Well to many I checked(cyclists, motorist), most don't know if it is allowed.  We asked LTA during the first meeting (2nd July 2012) and it was confirmed by the Traffic Management (Teo KL) that it is. The point I am trying to make is that there is a general lack of awareness (from both the motorist and cyclist part) for the traffic rules and safety for one another.
I attach the Singapore Road traffic act... which is written Lawyer speak and not easy for the general public to comprehend...
http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/aol/search/display/view.w3p;page=0;query=DocId:%22ba3acbce-2ce4-4b3f-8011-5bfae19cfbbc%22%20Status:inforce%20Depth:0;rec=0#legis
Also see this forum letter by Lynn and she expresses that the Traffic Rules and Road Safety works both ways.

Forum comment by Lynn Tan    Straits Time 23th Aug 2012

Ok, Red light stop, Green Light go is a given. But knowing how to be safe and watch out for each other is not really practised. I also drive and if u like to observe this quirks of many SG motorists.
Don't believe me, try this..... Driving along the road in traffic, signal ur intention to switch lane. And look for the reaction of the drivers when you flip the signal.. and just watch (dun forget to look forward too ok). The signal lights are a cue to speed up. If you are an in-experienced driver, you will be so frozen and scared to change the lane. This is not 100% of the time but I am sure if you drive you know what I mean. 

I try to emphasize the motorist plight and see their point of view. It is frustrating to be sitting in traffic, inching along.  Sometime it is slow that I think cycling would get me to work faster. And from the motorists perspective reading from the news... "what???? now bicycles also want to use the road...wah lau eh... it's so crowded"
And this is precisely why I think the car approach cannot be the only option. Look at this very famous photo done by the City of Muenster Planning office way back in 2001. It shows visually how cars, bus, bicycles use the space on the road. 

It is crowded... the more we need to think out of the box...  Photo credit Press office city of munste, Germany

Over coffee and chats to find ideas to make cycling safer in SG, we came up with this "low hanging fruit solution" which just might work in the Singapore context. Sure, it would mean adjusting our behaviour a and of course there will be problems but what do you think we should do.. build more highways? 

Please read more as Francis articulates the concept.  

http://lovecycling.net/2012/08/busbike-lane-bb-lane/

COE is already touching the 100k mark and expected to reach ever higher prices. Which means car ownership it is really out of the normal Singaporean reach. At least to me that is. I know when my car COE expires in 2 years time... I will have to give up the car option... hopefully some progress would have been made to cycling safety which will give an safe, economical and healthy alternative to the mass transport(Bus, MRT).
I know good people like Francis are already doing lots to show that is is possible. 

From the cyclist view... this is a nice one without the cars zipping past too close to us

Photo and edit by Francis Chu 

17th Dec 2011 LCSG Light up a child's life event @ Pertapis Children Home.

LCSG with Pertapis helpers @ Pertapis children home

This is a classic Lovecyclingsg event which is why I love being a part of LCSG. We started talking about a xmas event late Oct and decided as a team that most important part of Christmas is about giving and sharing. We chose to help Pertapis children home. Some information about the Pertapis children home. In sumary, they take care of children from 3-13 year old, usually referred by MCSY or Juvenile courts.  We got to know about Pertapis through Steven Lim and Zack, who have previously helped/attended charity events at Pertapis.   When I looked at the children during the intial meet up, I knew that we got to help and make a bright day in their lives.
A flurry of Facebook and forum communications later... it was set!  Many riders expressed their interest and we started to help make it happen.  Andy yap, in his silent and super effective manner. Stepped up and helped to manage all the pledges. It was an amazing tasked given the numerous questions and number of riders... but he made it all look so simple. Thanks, Andy for all ur hard work!

Mary, Zack, Clarence and Andy doing last min checking of the gifts... making sure no kids will be disappointed..

To make it extra special,  we have requested the children to write down their preferred presents, limited to $20 value. on a small heart shape cards(made by Esther and Joel),  Middle of Nov, the presents list was send to LCSG and the task of shopping was led by Mary, her daughter Kennis, Andy yap, KSL, Eman, Boo, Steven Tang, Tiger, Steven Lim and many more. Buying each gift and wrapping them up... quite a task I must say. Some interesting items included a music CD by a young singer(forgot the name..) and a sms texting device... luckily we had Kennis, Eman who knew what it was and the out of touch uncle and aunties could breathe easily at last...whew!

Really...this is one of the child's request... and it was Eman and KSL helped find it! Thanks!

On Sat, the LCSG  crew assembled at Pertapis Children home at Kovan road. Show time... It was a bustling of activities, some were playing with the very young kids, while Steven Tang did an excellent job with the girls. The laughter and the energies of the St Marget girls(Steven tennis protegies) was infectious. I peeked and saw plenties of smiles...wonderful! It was raining pretty heavily then and what was supposed to be a soccer match was changed to Carrom session. Small boys and old boys played together and laughed. The rain didn't stopped the fun I must say...  But of course the highlight for the kids was the presents giving time. As the names of each child was shouted out.. the rest cheered and clapped. And the child eyes lit up... and the same for our riders.

Angels Mary, Rezal and Zack... giving out the presents

One moving moment was Mary screaming "do u want another present??? whooooohoo?? and the children screamed yes!.. haha.. Never see our glam queen Mary so onz!! And I was glad and very happy. Because I saw really genuine, kind folks who came, and gave beyond what they needed to do and the sparkling eyes and heart melting smiles from all around. The children, especially was beaming ...  Mus, a young boy I befriended was so happy... he keep telling me... "Nerf gun...yeahh!!! I like!"

Want another presents??? I can't hear you!!! Scream Aunty Mary

Boo giving out a present to a smiling friend

St Margret girls and Steven Tennis protegies came to help too! Thank you!

Nice buffet from Audrey and company, thanks! 

Oh...forgot to mention the food. ... we were also very grateful for Audrey Wong and her company for sponsoring partially the Super delicious Buffet ... Thanks.

Simple words... but mean so much!  Awesome! 

I end this blog account with this. Thank you for all to make this Light up a children life event a success. Without the efforts of all of you, this wouldn't be possible. Awesome!!!! You are all angels and I am glad to be part of such a cool cycling team with such big heart. You lighted up my life and of course the children's hearts too! Thank you! 

PS: Due to the sensitive nature, the children were not present in the photos.
more photo here and here