Personal mobility for all

Sharing a few photos I took a few years ago while I was in Taiwan, riding my bicycle. This is an image of my friend Nick "racing" with an ah Ma. At that moment, I simply thought it was just an cool and hilarious moment. 


Recently, in Singapore we are seeing some encouraging progress on active mobility. This was in the news yesterday.  Once again another survey. This was a Singapore National strategy being discussed for cycling way back in 2012. 

in the news

It feels it's taking forever.. however I do understand its a rather complex issue as it involves many parties. I really wish the rules or rather the forming on code of conduct can be accelerated. My biggest fear is given the popularity of cycling currently, the odds on a cycling related accidents would likely to increase if its a "status quo". 

Personal mobility devices mentioned in the news.   Screen grab from Chanelnewasia

But taking a step back and looking at the progress, I do agree that it is going in the right direction for a more livable city.
As I reflect on the news article, my thoughts drifted to the above images. I thought of the elderly and the use personal mobility devices. They also serve to give mobility back to those who might not be able to do so. The ah Mas and ah Gongs, who we see at times just sitting at the void decks looking emptily into space. Imagine if they have the personal capacity to move around. Even if its just around the neighborhood. How much difference in their life it would make. 

Yes, I also know that there are many of  E-bike, E-scooters who are creating a nuisance on our pavements, zooming too fast in high human traffic areas. That aside, they are really nifty and useful. Esp to closing the last mile issue. I wrote my thoughts here some time back too. 
While the latest news talk about rule and code of conduct. I also hope that the infrastructure can be made more friendly and considered for the elderly and handicapped. For once, I hope our LTA mobility team perhaps try a wheel chair for a day. Or a bicycle user for a day. Try cycling to work. Not just plan/ design in office environment.  I feel that this would really help them to understand the issues the users face.  
These are not glamorous topic and the journey for improvement would be a long and ongoing one. In the meantime, let's also do our part to feedback if we see obstacles and if we have ideas to make our environment more connected and seamlessly.  Pls don't just complain or bitch. Take a photo and send it in to MSO if you don't know who to send it to. 
After all, we all will grow old too. Someday. 

Oldie Trek 830 rides on!

As small as it can get. 

I will admit readily that I am an "Garang Guni" (odds and end collector) of sorts. Actually I have a sort of affinity/soft spot with steel bikes. Especially around the time of early 90s, late eighties. Thinking about it, I guess it must be not being able to afford one then. I was just a student and there wasn't quite enough money to buy a bicycle. Sometimes, I would see some really nice flashy KHS montana or the very cool Trek or Bridgestone (read here by one of my local hero who sadly passed on)  some times around my neighbourhood. They were really really out of my reach then.....  In a different league. 

The super cool KHS Montana with disc... John Tomac! - Photo Credit retrobike.com

This was the ride I had. It was a Shimano branded racing bicycle which I rode everywhere.  Amazing thinking about it how little stuff we need to ride. :) 
Anyway... fast forward to the present times, I happened to see an old trek 830 while hunting for parts to do my art installation in Feb.   This is what I did eventually. 
The initial plan was to make it a single speed, reduce/ remove all items unnecessary. Just a nice simple bike to ride along the PCN, eat roti prata.  Stripping down the bike to frame was the easy part. The tough part that made me sweat was the Bottom Bracket. The years spend sitting in the rain, muck and all did the job. It was stuck like the magical excalibur embedded in a big rock. I tried and failed. 
Gave up and got the magical hands of Dr Sulaiman and John Chan to help get that fixed. They also helped to install a new headset as the old one were quite bad shape.  The rest of the parts was simply salvaging stuff I had from previous bikes. Over the period of several months, I just worked on the bike slowly.  It's still missing some parts like the bolt binder for the seat post. And many parts could do with abit of autosol, fine sandpapering to make it nicer. Here's a comparison of how acbit of time, love and effort that can make the bike run a hell lot better. 

This is how it looked then

This is how it looks now. 

Today, I finally took it for a roll downstairs. It was really nice. The raised nitto stem and swept back bars made it super comfy. 
Shod with the Swalbe big apples, the ride was a plusy cushy feel. This bike is not a race MTB but rather a crusing bike specially for that PCN and roti prata run.  Check out the photos! 

Salvaged from an old bicycle shop. It was 6 speed but if u use friction mode... they can still work 

Abit... ok alot of elbow grease to make it shiny once more 

cleaned up Shimano STX rear D! Period correct :)  I think can still polish it out more

Yeap... need more fine sanding and autosol. Behind is a total new BB which Rebound centre helped install

This baby has a nice sweep that makes u smile and smell the roses 

They are not fast but extremely plush and comfy. 

Nice wooden handle bar plug from brooks that was left over from previous project

Now, why would anyone go through all this trouble? 
I guess, its just the magic of making the old even better then new.  And sure, its alot more trouble but the old bicycles have a unique patina that cannot be replicated. Like folks driving that old mini. Its a special feeling. They don't build bike like that any more. 
Now, are there some kindred spirits that like these kind of things?  Love to hear your stories and comments. 
And yes, u will see him at the LCSG sunday rides!

Makerfaire @ Singapore - make ur own unique bike

LCSG visits 50 mural artworks by NYJC 12th July2015

Love is in the air! 

Amazing mural! 

They say the bicycle is a great way to move around and explore the surroundings. We wanted to find Murals.... and we did!  
I think this ride is really a great demonstration of the bicycle flexibility in exploration.  Hi-res of the images here 

Two big, two small... wheels. Just ride! 

Andy briefing the riders on the route and safety matters

Led by Andy Yap, we started from Ang Mio MRT and found lots of murals painting on the HDB void decks. Andy took a lot of trouble to get the route out and there were 50 ++ of them! Here's Rebecca's map tracing of the route taken from AMK MRT. 

The route - photo credit Rebecca Ko 

This are where the murals are located. Thank you Andy and Christine for the wonderful recce!

So glad to have Wai Lim to join me for the ride!

Rolling slowly and merrily along. Its a special feeling! 

We went hunting for murals. This is near Tech Ghee Hawker centre 

Celebrating our void deck bike parking

A Wong Kar Wai moment

Peggy enjoying her sunday ride

Wei Kong and family rolling as one

Naturally we couldn't cover all of it. Still we were glad to be able to see some of the artwork. The topic was essentially about Singapore. The history and stuff that makes us Singapore. 

Hai Tang sharing the details of the Mural. Nice one Hai Tang!

Wei shuan sharing how the students did the mural. The preparation work behind the nice painting

It was even more special when Wei Shuan and Hai Tang shared that their daughter was one of the artist that made the murals! 
They were done by Nanyang Junior College which is located nearby. 

Riders admiring the artworks 

It was interesting to also know that the art elective students were the lead of the mural. That means, they will conceptualise the artwork with their teachers. Once it have been approved, they will lead a group of students(non-art elective) to execute the mural painting. Logistical issues like tracing the artwork need to be solved. They settled it by doing the tracing at night with projectors tethered from power lines routed from nearby wall plugs or even the rubbish dump. 
What was lovely is that, it was very much left to the students own devices. No spoon feeding for you! Wei Shuan also related that his daughter would often dirty their school uniform with ink, paint. But she would still wear the stained uniform to school. Almost like a symbol of pride and street cred. I totally understand the feeling having studied in Temasek polytechnic school of design:) 
Here's a lovely photo of the NYJC AEP leads who did the 15 Murals. 

NYJC 2015 AEP Students who lead in the 15 Murals.  Photo Credit Wei Shuan 

I just love it, especially so with the location which they did their mural artwork. The humble Void Deck! This is the place we grew up playing football and catching. What wonderful way to honour the space! 

This was our playground! 

Some of the nice murals we saw...

A more pop art inspired mural. I like this one best!

Kampong life

Jump!

Singapore means... 

Uncle Steven posing on a nice mural showing ice kacang! 

This is another really creative piece. Solid!- photo credit Francis 

Doing 50 murals is a lot of work and I cannot imagine the amount creative juices needed... that must be quite a task! 
Thank you NYJC art elective students and teachers for the wonderful art pieces! Also drop them some comments, encouragement here 
I hope that maybe in the future, the art students and teachers themselves would be able to share directly with Lovecyclingsg or even to the public for that matter what they did. 
Even more meaningful were the processes/ sweat that they have to go through. 
Please let me know if you know anyone from Nanyang JC....:)  
I like to arrange another session to share this wonderful initiative. 
The ride made me smile alot. I really like that we are starting to think about what makes Singapore -  Singapore. And its not just because SG National day is around the corner, that all this "ra ra" and "dong dong chang" came about. 
This is our sunny island. Love it, embrace it, celebrate it in our own small way. Majulah! Singapura!   

Ahhh yes! The ping pong table! 

Meeting with Cycling without age in Singapore - 5th July 2015

LCSG with Cycling without Age @ Punggol water way

There will come a time when we all reflect abit on our lives and ask if there were anything we could do for others. 
They can be about the lesser privileged, or just sharing more about your home(like what lovecyclingsg does) or perhaps giving the elderly a ride (cycling without age) for that matter. Just giving....
I first knew about Ole Kassow's effort on Cycling without age from my buddy Francis. 
He shared with me this heart warming effort on Ted talks.  It was amazing! Ole related about his experience with a stranger and changed his life.

Screen grab from Cycingwithout age website 

Then I got a even exciting news from Pernille, a Singapore based rider that she wanted to bring this to Singapore. I was blown away. Could this actually be happening? It did and last week we met up with Ole and Pernille with the Lovecyclingsg folks. 

Ole and Pernille sharing what it Cycling without age

Unfortunately the elderly couple couldn't make it but it was good for them to share their initiative.
The route was simple and short as we wanted it to be a pleasant ride for the elders. It was all park connector paths and it meant many kids also came to ride with us. 
The event had a nice carnival feeling and lots of chatter along the way.  I had a good chat while riding with Jacob and it was good to know a friend during sunday rides. 
Photos tell a thousand words and here's some of the action. 
If you like what Pernille and Ole are doing, you can help out by volunteering your time for Cycling without age Singapore chapter. It's a good initiative! It really is. 
Photos of the event here.

Marcus came with his family

Many kids turned up

Kimi leading the way!

Wendy sharing a moment with Pernille 

Ole demonstrating the features of the Trishaw

Nice to be sitting for a change! :) 

Peggy trying out with some small VIPs

Nice and quiet in the early morning