Cycle Commute from Ang Mo Kio to Maxwell market - Eugene Lee

From Eugene Lee who works as an URA planner. 

Attached are the screen shots of the two routes I've been using for the past 8 years whenever my work schedule permits me to cycle to work.The first route below mostly follows Kallang River and is about 16km while the second route along Marymount Rd, Thomson Rd, Cavengah Rd, Clemenceau Ave, Havelock Rd is about 13km. The 16km route is safer and mostly follows park connectors and takes me 90min while the 13km one is all on road but takes me only 60min.

 

I started cycling in 2010 to work and posted about my rides on social media to raise awareness of cycling as an alternative mode of transport.

AMAP new recommendation 24Aug2018

Oh no..... This is not happening.... :( 
And here's what I think here 

Cycling for everyday

Singapore is under going some big shifts in transportation. One of which is the use of bicycle. The usual perception from friends whom I chat with is this....  that cycling is something you do for fun and during the weekends. However, with the all day access on the MRT, I have noted more riders are begining to do the bike/MRT/Bike. Its really a good way to move around. Here's some of the riders who I see on Lovecyclingsg Facebook. 

It's looking good! These early adopters are leading the way to shift public perceptions of cycling as a alternative commuting mode. 
Thats cool!  Do try it! 
This is my experience with my Carryme. Will be trying with other bikes too. Stay tuned!

Al with his ticket

Why?

Why? Many folks ask me that.... I give you my answer in a photo.  One rider starting... is one step in the right direction. Let's all try to make things better! Push on!

Photo credit Eugene Lee 

Bamboo Kar at Car Free Sunday 31st July 2016

As part of the effort to bring in more smiles and laughter to the Car Free Sunday event, the Bamboo Kar came and was a rolling success! Many who saw it smiled and gave us a thumbs up! 
Here are some of the photos taken by uncle KC while I was riding the rig. More cool funny photos here.  and by Christine 

Rolling at CarFreeSunday

Sharing with fellow cyclists why we did this

can u see how many bicycle can use a car space? 

It was a blast to see joggers, skaters, cyclists all sharing the road and having a really nice time at Car Free Sunday event. Behind the fun, there is also a meaningful reflection. Imagine if we can use this space more efficiently for living. Not just simply used as a road. That's a real paradigm shift in space planning! 

Skater cannot believe his eyes... 

Pas with his Wong Fei Hong suit! 

Cheern lin with his customed built kid front rack bike 

every one rode. What ever wheels size and brands

Another reason to be cycling!

Now, Singapore is undergoing a big transformation to be more liveable, more cycle-able. I have seen big improvements with the continuous effort of agencies and community effort. Its looking really good!

Doing Da Lovecyclingsg pose!

No, it will not change overnight. But if we continue to support and give our ideas and suggestions to our agencies folks. I am sure more good will happen. Lets keep on spinning and smiling!

Pasir Ris to get a complete network of cycling paths

Slowly and surely. The wheels of change will turn. :) Will you help to make it turn faster and happier? I know we as Loveyclingsg will!
More at Chanelnewasia 

Photo by Greg Choong @ LCSG FB

Small steps forward for a better cycling experience at Johor Baru

I saw a thread on Facebook and it was about painting  a wider yellow line on the road..... and the bicycle icon.  Although it seems like a trival thing to do but  it sure creates more awareness for cycling/cyclists. Well done JB and Happy Riders Connect group! 

Photo credit - "happy riders Connect FB " 

Cycling can be a viable transport: MP Khaw Boon wan 23rd Oct 2014

Just cycling to market 

Taken from Straits Times, 23 rd Oct 2014

Cycling should not be just a recreational pursuit, but also a viable transport option for short trips around Singapore, said National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan yesterday.
He wrote on his blog that the Government wants Singaporeans to be able to cycle "to the supermarket, coffee shop, hawker centre or the nearest MRT station".
"To do so, we must make such trips safe and pleasant," he said. "Cities are increasingly finding it important to make themselves friendly to pedestrians and cyclists."
Mr Khaw noted that Singapore is lagging "way behind" cities such as Amsterdam and Copenhagen, where cycling is part of the "normal way of life".
He praised both European capitals as good examples of cities with "active mobility", where walking and cycling make up over half of all modes of transport.
In contrast, cycling makes up just 1 per cent to 2 per cent of transport modes here, he noted.
Singapore's National Cycling Plan envisions a 700km cycling network by 2030, within, as well as between, neighbourhoods.
By next year, 100km of cycling paths will be built in Yishun, Punggol and Bedok. Eventually, said Mr Khaw, all 26 Housing Board towns will have cycling paths connecting homes to neighbourhood centres and MRT stations.

Singapore is also exploring bicycle-sharing schemes and increasing safe-cycling education initiatives, such as the Safe Cycling Programme for Youth for secondary school students.
Mr Khaw said Singapore has always embraced active mobility, with its extensive Park Connector Network (PCN), pavements and sheltered walkways being examples of this.
The PCN, he said, lets people walk, jog or cycle safely close to greenery. The city itself is "quite walkable", he added.

When contacted, Mr Francis Chu, co-founder of cycling group LoveCyclingSg, said more cyclists are keen to use their bicycles for short daily commutes.
But roads in town centres can be unsafe and intimidating for inexperienced riders, he said.
As for non-cyclists such as motorists, it may be difficult to motivate them to switch to bicycles as driving often gets them to their destinations faster, he said.
"But with improvement of the cycling network, more and more people will start to consider cycling as a serious mode of transport."

davidee@sph.com.sg

- See more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/transport/story/cycling-can-be-viable-transport-mode-khaw-20141023#sthash.9vTA9nds.dpuf

Why cycle to work?

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

Photo credit compare by Sonny Lim 

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

Punggol MRT line down today..........

This is what happens when MRT Train Line breaks down and there is no alternative mode of transport in your area. 

Punggol Station today morning.  Photo credit Ben Chew 

Long Q and many people will be late for work. People are pissed....
It took 9 hours for the Train service to resume to normal. Is this the new normal?    
Imagine if there are a safer way/route to cycle to work from Punggol or for that matter anywhere we live it. How many will take the bicycle option? I think quite alot, perhaps 30%... I know I will. 
As I reflect on the lack of commuting alternative, the idea of Bus Bike lane came to my mind. Essentially it uses the current SG laws (bicycles can use Bus lane at all times) but painting a Bicycle logo on the road. This creates more awareness on the road that the bicycle CAN use Bus Lane and more awareness for motorists on the road to look out for cyclist.  Perhaps, as more congestion builds up, our agencies would be more encouraged to try our more innovation idea to alleviate the Traffic congestion. What do u think?
Go to LCSG Facebook for an interesting discussion on this topic
Additional notes: 
Bicycles are not the end all, solve all solution for SG transport. We will still need trains, cars, motorbikes, buses. 
What I am saying is that better infra for cycling can and will reduce the reliance on Public transport = less congestion/ pressure on transport system.
Here's an old posting by Mr Brown on cycling on the road which might be of interest...

Bike bus lane - Photo credit by Francis Chu

We have done it for YOG.... So why not for SG cyclists safety?

LTA develops masterplan for Singapore 2030 intellignet transport network

I just saw this on Chanelnewasia. But there wasn't detailed information of the masterplan. A quick google and search later, I found it at LTA website  
First impressions...
It's a real information overload and super wordy. Wonder if anyone would bother to read it. On the Green mobility front, I was disappointed that they did not consider the simple and humble bicycle. Have a look and tell me what you think.
Also, this is our collabroative google map (with the help of lovecyclingsg team) to use current mapping techology for a safer bike ride. 

Open letter to Mr Lui Tuck yew (SG transport minister) by Calvin Boo

LUI_TUCK_YEW@mot.gov.sg, francis chu , Royston Sim HQ , Jok Kwang Han , "MOH Muhammad Faishal IBRAHIM (MOH)" , "hock_yong_chew@lta.gov.sg" , "ireneng@iseas.edu.sg" , voices@mediacorp.com.sg

Dear Sir,

I read with great dismay your comments during the recent Budget Debate on road cycling, that "only a small group use it as their primary mode of transport" and "... it is a different thing altogether to get more cyclists using fast-flowing roads when other road users are not ready to give way". Your comments clearly shows a lack of empathy for vulnerable road users, a deficit of compassion and a lack of visionary thinking.

Have you so quickly already forgotten the two innocent young lives taken by a cement mixer driver in Tampines early 2013? Then, the Parliament Secretary for Transport acknowledged that "One life lost is one too many". Have we learnt nothing? 

Whenever a life is taken, it is not just one life that is lost - an entire family suffers, and the suffering lasts a lifetime. Can you quantify such a loss? In Tampines, was it two or is it more? Can you empathize with such a loss? 

Let us not forget the many who have been injured - we form part of the unpublished number. It is a lucky thing we did not make the death statistic, but the injuries suffered in various degrees of severity do place a burden on the family.

Cycling as a primary mode of transport is picking up new fans and growing in numbers, a trend I highlighted during the LTMP discussion in Oct 2012. Clearly the feedback has not been taken seriously. The rising vehicle population and the rising number of speeding offences* puts motorists and the growing population of road cyclists on a collision course, with tragic results waiting to happen.

With all due respect Sir, you do not wait for motorists to get "ready to give way". Did the government wait for citizens to get ready to not throw killer litter? Did the government wait for motorists to get ready "to not speed"? Do you think it is prudent to wait for more cyclists to lose their lives before taking action? Fifty more? A hundred more?

No, a good government does not wait. A good government leads by taking action before things spiral out of control, before more lives are lost, before more families suffer a lifetime of tragic loss.

Global green cities are taking proactive measures to strongly discourage car usage AND encouraging green transport alternatives, cycling included. Here, we hear the PCN being preached as the holy grail to Singapore's cycling woes, while continuing to pander to motorist whims.

The truth is, the PCN is a connected network of disjointed paths (even engineers who have worked on cycle path projects in Netherlands concluded so), and a rather terribly convoluted way of getting to work. The PCN is great for recreational users and good if one has all the time in the world to get to work.

Our roads are highly unsafe, and many cyclists ride on pavements where it is safer. But in the eyes of pedestrians and motorists alike, cyclists are nothing but cockroaches. All the cyclist angst captured on video (which you may have seen) are truly unnecessary, if only our laws and road infrastructure accord sufficient protection to road cyclists.

So dear Minister, where can we safely go?

Fix the compassion deficit. The cyclists of Singapore are real people with families, not just "a small group". Cycling is the future of transport - the revolution has already begun all around the world in cities that proudly call themselves global cities, and the MOT/LTA have been caught snoozing. The cyclists of Singapore are firmly united in support of Ms Irene Ng - the time for visionary thinking and leadership is NOW.

Sincerely,

Calvin Boo

Road Cycling Advocate

* 6.1% increase in speeding offences from 2012 to 2013. Source:SPF

Bicycles at Boon Lay MRT

Sharing a photo from Francis. This was take at Boon Lay MRT. Wow... it feels like Amsterdam!
So who said cycling in Singapore is just for recreation?
Also check out the Facebook comments 

Boon Lay MRT  photo credits Francis Chu

Calvin Boo's guide on cyclo-commuting in Singapore - Must read for those considering cyclocommute in SG

Once in a blue moon, we get a really informative entry by folks. This time, it is by Calvin Boo. He who cycles to work daily and a tireless cycling advocate in Singapore.  He shares how he does cyclo-commuting in a safe manner.  The PDF version is here for ur download. 
If you need more cyclo-commuting advice, you can email direct here
calvinboo@gmail.com   
I am posting it here so it can reach more folks in singapore. Thanks very much for doing this, Calvin!

Gem of a video by Streetfilms

Resharing this here from StreetFilm.org


"Over the last four years, New York City has seen a transportation renaissance on its streets, striking a better balance by providing more space for walking, biking, and transit.
As with any departure from the status quo, it can take a while for everyone to grow accustomed to the changes. So Streetfilms decided to look at three of NYC’s most recent re-designs — Columbus Avenue, First and Second Avenues, and Prospect Park West — and show how pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers benefit from safer, calmer streets. We talked to transportation engineers with decades of experience, elected leaders, community board members, people on the street, and business owners to get their take on the new configurations.
The truth is, no matter how hard some media outlets try to spin it otherwise, these new street safety projects have broad community support. And while the story of these changes often gets simplified in the press, the fact is that the benefits of the redesigns go far beyond cycling. A street with a protected bike lane also has less speeding, shorter pedestrian crossings, less lane-shifting and more predictable movements for drivers, and the opportunity to add more trees and plantings. Injuries to pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, and car passengers drop wherever the new designs go in. And on the East Side, these improvements have been paired with dedicated bus-only lanes with camera enforcement, making service more convenient and attractive for thousands of bus riders.
At 11 minutes, this is one of our longest Streetfilms. We cover a lot of ground here, and we hope it’s illuminating no matter what side of the issue you fall on"

Bicycles issue on TODAY Paper

Full article here 

From Today paper 11th Sept 2012

"Dr Faishal was responding to a question by Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC MP Janil Puthucheary, who asked whether the Transport Ministry will consider reviewing the current composition fine of S$20 on errant cyclists.
He said: "MHA (Ministry of Home Affairs) and the Traffic Police are reviewing the cycling penalties to ensure that they are commensurate with the severity of the respective offences, and will announce the findings when their review is completed."
The question of whether cyclists should be given suitable punishment comes on the back of the 11 deaths so far this year. These accidents have led many in the cycling community to call for harsher punishments for drivers and for greater protection to be given to the growing number of fitness enthusiasts who take to the roads."   TODAYonline 11th Sept 2012

I just find this puzzling that nothing was mentioned on the motorist front on the current penalties when a car hits a cyclist. Pls see Ben Mok case and ask yourself if this is fair.