Singapore Park connector maps. All of it.. by Jonathan

This is fantastic effort by Jonathan . If you are looking for all the PCN routes.. this is the gold standard!

PCN Maps complied by Jonathan 

Singapore cycling vision - a letter by Osman Sidek

My dream and Vision of the future Singapore is one where a 6 year old school kid can safely cycle to school without adult supervision.  

Oh when oh when will that happen?  

Screen grab of the letter @ Straits time 

http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/forum-letters/story/turning-cycling-vision-reality-20140923

A hand made bike and a history of who's who in the cycling industry

I saw this on FB and it was about a chap who reached a point of his life where he wants to have his very own custom bike built. Also visiting the artisans and craftsman who dedicated their lives building bike parts that is so famous around.  Have a watch, you are going to like it. 

E Scooter issue in Singapore

Photo from Tandem Lim

Sounds reasonable...so you can buy it... and ride around your living room. Not. 
I also chatted to several E scooter users and they are just using this to help make the traffic connection better. 
Examples quoted were zipping to the Mrt from home rather than waiting for the feeder bus. OR... skipping public transport completely if your workplace is 5 km away. 
Walking in our climate will make u look like drenched monkey but with a E scooter OR a bicycle... those distances are easily achievable. 
I know and I have heard that Singapore is going to have a better transport system by 2020. But before that comes, people still have to work and they WILL find creative solutions to make their commute easier. 
Banning it is a just a typical top down approach without understanding the perspectives on the ground. Yes, safety is important too but banning it outright means those folks who bought the E Scooter now have an expensive toy that they can parade at home.  

Photo from John Tan

Photo from John Tan

Hole at pavement. What do you do?

What do you do when you see something not right? Do you walk away, pretend you didn't see or you do something about it. The trouble is when the issue is not so easily solved... whom do you call or contact? This was exactly what my buddy Darren Siow on his way to see a doctor faced.
I shared with him my feedback contact list and also realized it did not have a contact on pavement.
In the meantime he looked around and found a box to help indicate the issue. That's pro active action. Thank you Darren.
Lastly ...soooooooooo.... which agency do we call on issues like this? Please let me know so I can add to my feedback contact list :) 

If some one not aware... this will be really nasty

Looking around and found a "thing"  to indicate the problem

Why cycle to work?

Sonny shared with me the reason. I think its quite clear to understand...........

Photo credit compare by Sonny Lim 

Vincent Ng Cycling story

I am Vincent and some call me Vincy as I had a nick that I normally use on social media, Vincybaby.

Me and my bike 

The nice thing about riding is I can eat abit more "freely" :) 

And here my riding story goes......

During my school days I really enjoy riding, I ride to school daily and also every part of Singapore, fishing, BBQ, catching spider and “ monkeys”! However these days does not last long, after my GCE O Level, my family shifted to Tampines as it was so far from where I had previously stayed, Jellicoe Road which is where the present condominium City Lights is. From there I lost contact of most of my friend riding in that area... Furthermore, I had started my education at Singapore Poly and it is so far for me to ride from Tampines to Singapore Poly. As I had join the SAF Poly Scheme and able to earn my own money, instead of riding a bicycle to school, I bought a motorcycle and rode to school, from there on I had lost touch of cycling as the boys to men process begun.

In end of 2013, I return from Shanghai after two years there, I was surprised by the changes in Singapore’s cycling world! The beautiful Punggol PCN was the first thing that attracted me most, follow by seeing so many cyclist rolling together and it bring me back to my old days feeling! 

This is Singapore

However thinking of spending more time with my wife and not forsaking cycling, I decide to cycle to work! I work as a Project and Technical Manager in IT industry. 

It all start with a thought as the distance seem incredibly far to me to complete 25km to office and another 25km back home as I am staying in Sembawang and my workplace is at Ubi. This is my route. It is 70% road and 30% PCN 

My route to work and back

a beautiful spot along the way to work

Without question I start to think of what should carry with me, how to take care of my office attire as it will crumple and crease. How should I wash up as my office dun have bathroom, how should this, how should that.... and soon procrastination fall in. Then come one fine night, I told myself when am I going to cycle to work, so with a sudden rise in spirit and following Nike slogan "Just Do It" I pack my office wear and shoe into my backpack and cycle to work in the next morning!!!

Thinking back of the first day, it was quite miserable, first thing I realize is, my underwear is all wet and I didn't brought a spare one. Second problem, my cooling off time is bit too short, well my office attire also all wet where I am sweating while changing into it and when my colleague came and ask me "is it raining outside.... However from this day, I gain experience, slowly I get smarter and now riding to work is just like driving to work!!!

Beside these beautiful sunrise, sunset photo, I also gain the most valuable thing in life, which is a my health! From high cholesterol to normal, from 120 blood pressure to 100, from resting heartbeat of 76 to 60 bpm and from 0.1 ton to 0.09 ton!!!

While writing this, I feel so much joy, happiness and start to feel my eye being well lubricated. To me it is really a inner sense of achievement! Well till date, I had been cycling to work for six months and I really wish I could continue to cycle till 80….

I do really enjoy cycling, I like to cycle in groups where you can meet friends, being poison by biker on bicycle parts and accessories. However, I do enjoy more cycling alone in the morning, with the silence and serenity, I enjoy hearing the rattling sound by my group set when rolling, nobbing our head and greeting morning to on passing cyclist! Stop whenever I like when I saw beautiful scenery!

If we only slow down and look 

Iwatch on wellness and cycling

What I really liked was the fact you don't look at a iron man wannabe or some sort of hard core althelete. It's targeted for a general wellness and fitness to the every day bloke.
I am so looking forward to seeing this at the retail store. Tempting!

One step forward 10 steps back.

This made me sad. Very sad. I watched the video and it was deliberate. It's seems it's a very road bike thing to do. I am too fast and I can't stop... a typical response.  Correction: after some feedback from Road biker that they DO STOP at red lights and these are just the black sheep.

We as the cycling community are marginalised enough and while we do our best to contribute to improve the odds and improve the relationships. This things still happen. This is not ok.
WE stop at red light. Period. No buts no if.
We want the road laws to protect us and we will follow the traffic rule.  Now please share this out to all your rider friends out there.

Safe cycling program based off Bikeability

We shared this with Sportscouncil and a few agencies 2 years ago to help create a National wide cycling program. The aim is to have a practical cycling education program that is effective and not "wayang". Here's my proposal for LCSG

Safecycling program 2013 from Woon Taiwoon

Shimano Cycling World will have bike rack and lock

Scanned Straits Time Newspaper clipping. It's an offical clarification by Shimano Cycling World. They will have bike rack and locks for cyclists during their operation hours.
Please take note of the timing 10am - 8pm Weekdays and 10am - 9pm Weekends 

Well done Shimano for all the consideration for cyclists. Yes, we will visit Shimano Cycling World soon! 

Sentosa says yes to cycling!

A posting from the Straits time about Sentosa efforts to making the island more bike friendly with the introducion of bike lanes and also consideration on smoothing access points. Yes, yes, yes!

Photo of the newpaper cutting by PK Sen 

Mangement and Technology in Japan - Case study of Shimano (page 29)

With the launch of Shimano Cycling World, I was interested to learn more about the brand and when it was founded...So I googled. There is really a load of information to be found online.  
Like this. Shimano is being used as a case study on Mangement and Technology in Japan. The topic was component intergration on bicycles. I like esp. this page about company culture and being close to the ground and customer needs :)  Nice one! 

https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/3640277/management-of-technology-and-innovation-in-japan/49

Fasincating stuff if you are interested to read about the company beginings, strategy and their challenges ahead. 

Screen grab from https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/3640277/management-of-technology-and-innovation-in-japan/49

screen grab from https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/3640277/management-of-technology-and-innovation-in-japan/49

Screen Grab from https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/3640277/management-of-technology-and-innovation-in-japan/49

Click to page 29 to see Shimano Case Study


Management of Technology and Innovation in Japan

Bike path spotted at Sentosa

I did a double take when I saw this at Lovecyclingsg Facebook . This was taken at Sentosa! A bike lane! 
Would we see this on Singapore main land anytime soon? Hey never say never....
Finger cross with the explosion of cyclists in Singapore,  the bike lane might really swing more folks to take up cycling. And in return, reduce the traffic congestion and it also makes for a more healthy generation. 
What say you? 

Photo credit by Chris Wee 

Bike to work – Dennis Cheong's way

Dennis works at Clinical and imaging research centre(NUH) and he been cycle commuting for a few years. 

He has also been featured in Razor TV on cycling issues in Singapore. He clarified that for the effect of the program he was asked to wear office clothes which he doesn't during the commute.  This is his story. 

Dennis with his MTB urban ninja bike . Scroll down all the way to see more info

Screen grab from Razor TV 

Talking about the issues for cycling on Singapore roads 

My trip is between Toa Payoh and NUH, on multiple routes depending on mood, time, weather, and mostly, the traffic light colour when I reach a junction. (See heat map attached) I should say that I am "lucky" as Toa Payoh is very near the geographical centre of Singapore. I mainly ride on the roads (no PCN between these two places) but nowadays I try to use quieter and wider lane roads and don’t mind climbing stairs (thanks to the lighter bicycle weight).

I have been using a Tern Link C7 stock folding bicycle with fenders since Apr 2013. Attire is sandals, Bermuda, Uniqlo Airism with a luminous colour with reflective stripes safety vest. Changing, simple “showering” and rinsing cum “turbo” initial drying of shirts in one of the many fully equipped wheelchair friendly toilet. Further drying with the help of a USB fan.

Crucial items to me are a spectacles frame mounted Peddler Take-a-Look rear view mirror, a simple jockey cap, a USB rear light (always on) and a battery rear light, a USB head light (always on) and a simple battery head light, two phones serving as front and rear cameras, a simple hand pump, some Allen keys, a spanner, a Phillips head screwdriver, a bamboo clothe peg and some plastic bags.

My bicycle commuting started small, in 1995 for short commute between Clementi West and NUS Science Faculty. Traveling full trips wasn’t the initial intention, but an accidental discovery when I rode from Clementi to Tanjong Pagar and realized that on a 24” hard MTB, it took me only 45 minutes! Since then, cycling has become my main travel mode in normal attire. My previous main commute bike is a 26” old school hybrid that is still around. Some previous bike to work destinations are TTSH, NTU (only once weekly and in PT attire), TJC, TP, NYP, RVHS@West Coast, and Peace Centre.

Here is Dennis ultimate urban ninja commuting bike to minimise theft. I think that extremely creative and practical. :)
You can also find more commuting ideas via a group which he setup here  

Rust is real, not painted on or decorative. It helps to blend into environment

Soft PU slippers help to give addition cushioning and visually demoralise any ideas 

He simply oils the chain ONCE in a year... and it still keeps on going

Riding to Work - William Khaw shares his journey

Leaving home on his Brommie

This is William sharing on his bike route to work. Enjoy! 
"My daily B2W routine. I should say that I am "lucky" as the route to work covers 80% PCN and 20% pathway within a fair 6.8km distance. 

The route and how long it takes 

And also that I can park my bicycle just beside me. Always enjoying the beautiful morning scenery with familiar faces along the way where people jogging and also people who B2W!

I like to take PCN as it's much safer 

Another person riding to work

Slow down and be nice when you meet people. 

I've chose to ride on pavement in a slow cadence as the morning road traffic is not to the cyclists' favor! 

I take pavement as the cars on the road are sometimes too aggressive.  I ride slowly and carefully so that not to endanger others   

At least on pavement I can take care my own safety as well as other pedestrians! "SHARE AND RESPECT - MOLD FOR FUTURE CYCLING" this is my motto! Safe ride always." William Khaw

Breakfasst at the near by kopitiam before work

Inside the my office

Cycling bring people together

Darrell Wee took this wonderful photo of Seng Tat and Yu mei during the PCN appreciation scrub down.
Isn't it wonderful cycling brings people together?

Photo by Darrell Wee 

Joeel and Esther

Riding to work at Dell

Sonny and his Tern Foldie in Dell Singapore Experience design studio 

Sonny is my colleage at Dell Singapore Experience Design (EDG)
He stays around Queentown area and today was his first time cycling to work. 
It takes him a leisurely 45 min ride via mainly PCN to reach office. There are some challenges at the Queentown to Holland village stretch as there are not direct PCN connection. Therefore he chose to take the pavement as the traffic flow is abit too intimiating for him. Entering the PCN connection via Gim Moh market, it is then a relative quiet and safe ride to IBP.
He also shares that it's nice to be riding in the morning and no need to wait for bus or train (for once).
The bike he uses is a Tern Link. It's simple, reliable and nice ride all round.  Nice!