Cycling Profile - Bernard Tan

My name is Bernard Tan and I work as a business consultant for Amadeus Hospitality.

I like to share my cycling story.

My first memory of cycling is when I was a primary school kid. I vaguely remembered that I have learnt how to ride a bicycle during my primary school days, however, I have never own a bike. From then till late teen, I only ride a bicycle very occasionally and have never been on a bike when I start working in the early mid 80’s.

I started cycling again back in 2012. The people who triggered the interest are Derrick Yeow and Gracie Koh. Derrick was my ex-colleague from my work at a hotel and Gracie is his wife. I have knew both of them for a long time but wasn’t in contact. Both of them bought a Dahon foldable bike each and start “jioing” me to buy a bike and join their rides. I wasn’t really interested in cycling but after a while, I gave in to their persistent persuasion. When I was ready to buy a bicycle, I told him that my budget was maximum of $500 only. I remembered vividly we went to Lifecycle @ Gemmil lane. I saw some Dahon and Tern…. And I left with a Tern that cost $1200. 

Totally busted my budget and tightened my belt for quite a while. I remembered in the initial days after I bought my bike, I used to take the MRT to Punggol to ride with Derrick & Gracie around Punggol Waterway. But not too long, just a few months later, I was riding my Tern round island, and almost every weekend, I am doing a round island. I even packed it  for some of my overseas work trips.  The poor Tern was really used a lot and after 2 years, I decided to sell it off.  

My Tern looking at the ocean

I just used the Tern box to bring it overseas. Its not glam but it works 

I was looking for a new folding bike and the one brand name that I heard the most is Brompton and many of my friends had it. More importantly, it seems like it was really easy to fold and easy to pack for traveling.   The thing I was really concerned was the price, 2k+ for a folding bike. But after some consideration and ‘poison’ by fellow cyclists, I decided to go for it. And yes, I got myself a Brompton in June 2014 and it has since become my ‘workhorse’! 

I am not your usual Brompton rider. I don't “zng” my bike for looks. I just change out the parts which makes the ride more comfortable. Like the Ergon grips, MKS pedals, saddle etc. The rest of my bike is totally stocked. The bike is like a tank and it just keeps going, even after much ‘abused’

I have ridden to many places like a loop around Taiwan, parts of Japan and Europe with a super duper skater Adrian Oh.  I like riding long distances alone or with a buddy as it helps me do personal reflection and it’s quite meditative.  Sometimes, I will also join LCSG ride as it is good to catch up with kakis and chat up.  But mostly I am still a loner who likes a lot of “me time”. 

My kakis for the Ride for Ration 1K ride

Rolling with my team for a good deed

Most recently, I have done the Ride for Rations 1K ride. This is a fund raising event and the main cycling event is Malacca to Singapore in 2 days, a total of 240km. However, I have joined a group of 6 fellow cyclists to cycle a total of 1000km in 9 days, including the main event from Malacca to Singapore. It was a good experience for me as I have never cycle with a group in a constant rolling speed of 20-25kph. Besides the fun-filled 9 days of cycling, we also raised money for Sunlove Home, which Ride for Rations supported.

Bike to work

I don’t really cycle to work in my previous offices as there is no shower facility in the buildings. However, our office moved last December to a brand new building in Tanjong Pagar with shower room in each floor. This is how it looks... and yes I really feel very lucky!

My brompton tucked away in a office corner

This is my office shower. 

I have started to bike to work more frequently this year and about 3 – 4 times each week. 

I live in Woodlands and the total commute each way to my office is approximately 30km. I ride on the road for the entire commute from Woodlands – Yishun – Sembawang – Upper Thomson – Thomson – Balestier – Rangoon – North Bridge Road – South Bridge Road – Tanjong Pagar. I agreed that the some motorists can be quite intimidating on Singapore road. But I think it is the same in every country, cyclists on the road just need to exercises extra caution and be focus to be safe. I started riding when the sky is still dark, thus it is important to have both front and rear lights on while riding. I also wear high-viz T shirt while riding to work. 

I really enjoy cycling now as it is my only form of exercise and I get to cycle to every corner of Singapore and also in foreign land. As for cycling to work, I don’t have to get squeezed in the train, not have to worry about train breaking down, and best of all, I save a few bucks every day! Hope this can inspire u to cycle and perhaps cycle commute! 

Cycle Commuting - Work to Home

As some of you might have noticed. I have changed job and work around the town area(CBD - Central business district...in Singapore terms). 
That has greatly reduced the time for commuting. Be it by bus, motor bike, MRT or cycling.  I have several options at hand now...

Just carried down my foldie from 3 flights of stair... almost ready to roll!

The Bus way. City Direct Bus 666.
Travel time: 50mins to an hour. 
Cost: $2.50 each way.
I am very lucky to that Bus 666 is just beside my home which takes me very close my work place. The route is via the TPE, CTE and turns out at Outram exit and then to Keppel and drops folks off at the CBD area. The traffic bottlenecks at the expressways are horrific in peakhour... but I dont have to focus on driving. Just sit(80% of the time I get one) and zone out. But its just booorring. Thats just me. 
MRT
Travel time: 45 min. 
Transfer at Outram MRT. 
Cost: $1.60 each way. 
I stay about 1.8km from the MRT, just abit too far to walk but its possible. A bicycle is a nice addition as u reduce the dependency to wait for feeder bus which can take up to 15 mins to come.  Or you can take a foldie, ride to MRT station and take the train.  The journey from Punggol to Tanjong pagar takes about 45min with a transfer at Outram MRT. I am so very glad that there is the all day access for  folding bikes.   Oh.. or u can also take a PMD,  Arcboard to reduce the last min inconvenience too! 
Motorbike
Route: TPE-KPE- Sims ave- Chinatown-Keongsiak area 
Travel time: 40min.
ERP: $1.00 
Parking: 65 cents!!!!!
Yes... I have one. Get on, zip along the congested bottlenecks at cycling speed. I can reach my work location in 40 min flat.... riding like a grandpa. 
Car 
Route: TPE-KPE-MCE -Central Boulevard 
Travel time: 20 - 45min
ERP: $3-4.50 
Parking: Season parking $480
Parking by daily rate: $1.07 per 10 mins. which works out to be $59<<< a day (9am-6pm)  Holy mackerel!!
(Thanks Anthony Tan for ur inputs!)   
Cycling
I think with all the riding I have done, the distance (to and fro) is not the issue for me at all. The challenge is my current office space is small and I do not have secure parking nor shower facilities.  That might change later in the year with the Kohler experience centre... finger crossed. 

The cycling bug in me is strong, so for the time being I am trying on this on Fridays. That I will bring my folding bike and ride home from office. This is based on my cycling "intensive" local knowledge of the simplest, smoothest route back home haha.. if there's a better route... please tell me.   

Overall it was really nice, nothing too epic and tiring.  Riding home also means I don't have to worry about washing up. This is a good way for anyone who thinking they cannot do it.. to try. Hope this can give u some insights and encouragement to try cycling commute. If taiwoon (lao uncle) can do... so can you! 

Bike MRT to work. The ultra long distance version.

Is bike to work possible? I think so and it takes a certain breed of people who are adventurous, confident of himself and his bike to pull it off. George Lim or Encik as we call him is one such person. 
He posted his commuting trip yesterday on Lovecyclingsg and it gathered quite alot of likes and comments. 
He stays in Punggol and his current work place is at Pasir Laba Camp. Thats a long long way to commute. Road distance using highway is about 35km each way. He can ride the distance anything  no problem. However, he is also experimenting with riding a folding bike to MRT station, so its not as tiring.  
This is his photos and words of the experience. Check it out 
Going from Punggol to Pasir Laba (Jurong) 
"3rd Jan 17 First BTW of the year. Today is the first working & Schooling day, I was expecting larger crowd of passengers. I took the first train at Punggol to avoid the crowds. As usual I boarded the last cabin of the train. No more seats but not sardine packed. My final station is Joo Koon station so I need to change train at outram park station. The crowds started to build up at outram park station. At every entry's of the train, there is Q waiting to aboard the train. I waiting at the 2rd last cabin which is a standing only cabin. To my surprise, the cabin will not as pack as other cabin with seats. Enough space to park my bike. I strongly recommend passenger with bulky items use this cabin. As the train passed through station, most passengers will wait at other cabin than standing cabin. To me this is the Bonus. Reached Joo Koon station on time, unfolded my bike, reach my office in 10 mins." 
George Lim 

@ Punggol MRT 

Along North east line 

@ outram stn

Standing room cabin

How it looks at peak hour 

Encik going home 

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 

Bike to work routes by Kieren Soh and his reflections

Hi everyone, my name is Kieren Soh and I am in a digital role in the financial industry. 

Me, Ann and my little one with our bikes

I started B2W in 2014 with my first folding bike and hasnt stopped since. 

I don't B2W everyday but instead aim to do it twice a week. My work area is near Labrador MRT, which is about 15km away from Serangoon. In the past 2 years, I must have easily explored at least 20 different variations in my route to my office ranging from 15km - 22km. You can see the image for a simple illustration of 9 different variations of my routes.

Yes a folding can commute too! 

As my office is away from the Central Business District, my journeys tend to be riding away from the morning traffic instead of into it.  It allows me to navigate through little lanes and neighborhoods to cut through major road arteries and expressways. One interesting fact is the time taken, door to door, between cycling and taking MRT is the same. Driving takes 15mins longer!

One of the first comments / questions from colleagues: “Kieren, riding on the roads are so dangerous! Why do you want to do it?” 

My answers, after a few variations, are now: “If you embrace cycling and ride defensively, it is not as dangerous as you think.“ The key reason of B2W is because I always never get enough saddle time due to my family commitments. 

B2W also allows me to go wherever I want after work to explore more small lanes and places that you probably wouldn’t have gone/ pass by.

For some reasons, I love to look for green open spaces or quiet little lanes, taking time to reflect on my day or just to space out. “How do you navigate around then?” That’s another joy for me. I like to stare at Google Maps the night before to look out for these green spaces and small lanes that are enroute to my workplace/home.

I caught up with something recently. There are more B2W cyclists on the roads and being greeted “Good Morning” is always so nice and makes your day. Be nice, smile and greet each other while cycling brings out the joy in even more.

Since my routes are not commonly shared, I shall attempt to create a section called "Do you know" and share the little things that you may not have noticed. I hope this is interesting enough and can encourage you to embrace cycling as a whole, not necessarily B2W but to try out the routes to discover the joy that I have gotten.

Have Fun | Ride Safe | Smile Always

Do you know? The little joys that I love to share

Toa Payoh – safer way to get across PIE (16.5km)

Route:

Lorong Chuan> Braddell Road >Toa Payoh Lor 8>Jalan Amps >Balestier Road > Shan Road >Irrawaddy Road  >Thomson Road >Gentle Road >Chancery Lane >Balmoral Road > Anderson Road >Tanglin Road à Alexandra Road (to wherever)

There are 3 key bicycle-friendly overhead bridges across PIE that brings you across from Toa Payoh to Balestier Road. My favourite one can be accessed through Kallang PCN off Braddell Road. (See black route). After going through the little pathway, you will arrive at Toa Payoh Lorong 8. Navigate about 500m towards Toa Payoh Golf Range. There will be a pathway opening just along the golf course and you will arrive at the overhead bridge.

This way, it beats carrying your bike up the bridge at Pelton Canel PCN or cycling along Thomson Road / Serangoon Road/ Aljunied Road / Paya Lebar Road if you are just started B2W.

Oh no, Lornie Road?! Are you sure?? (18km)

Route:

Lorong Chuan > Bishan St 11 >Braddell Road >Lornie Road (Pavement)>Kheang Hock Road>Evans /Cluny Road >Tanglin Road >Alexandra Road (to wherever)

 Yeah, Lornie Road is also a viable way to get to work for me and its not on the road. This route is better suited for smaller wheels (eg 16”/20”) as there are twists and turns in narrow spaces. Navigate along the pavement along Lornie Road (on the side with private housing). You will arrive at Kheam Hock Road where it allows you to scoop under PIE to get towards Duncan Road. Continue your journey from there. I love to cycle there to catch the beautiful sunset.

Got slopes? I climb! (16km)

Route:

Upper Serangoon Road > Bendemeer Road >Jalan Besar à Bencoolen Street >Stamford / Penang Road à Killiney Road >River Valley Close / Green (there is a little pavement into PCN >Kim Seng Park towards Alexandra PCN> Alexandra Road into Henderson Road (CLIMB!)> Telok Blangah Road (to wherever)

 One of the joys in cycling is cycling up hills, fondly known as climbing. I love the huffs and puffs climbing slopes and the wind on my face when I get down one. In one of my favorite routes, I get to climb River Valley Close and Henderson Road (along Mount Faber, near Safra Mount Faber). Both roads, due to it being off the main roads, tend not to have a lot of traffic and sometimes my rolling speed down can be easily 45km/hr.

Getting Serious about cycling in Singapore

This made me very happy as it is the first time that Straits Time have covered normal folks who made cycling as their way of life in Singapore! Woohoo! 

Taken from Strait Times, thanks Duane! 

Cycling have indeed been going through a lot of changes in Singapore and its getting really popular, not just as a form of recreation or sport. To dispel the conventional notion of cycling(for lycra clad only or just those crazy pple), I have been doing my part to document the riders I meet at Lovecyclingsg so that I can share their stories to more people and even to our governmental agencies.  You can read their stories here   Do message me if you like to contribute to adding to the Singapore context.  
Thank you Byrna for writing this. Its a good step forward!  In the mean time, keep on cycling! 

Rider Profile Dennis Ng

"Hi Tai Woon,

As promised, I will share my journey into regular cycling with you and hopefully it will inspire more people to take up cycling as a way of commuting as well as staying fit and healthy. I will be 65 in a few months. I have learnt to cycle since 5 years old. 

Rocking it with a cool sunshade!

My first “long” ride was from Braddell road to JB with a friend in 1965. Without my parents’ knowledge of course. During those days, there were not much cars on the road. However, did not cycle much thereafter.

Before cycling, my regular exercise was running. As age catches up, my leg muscles also got weaker and my running distance was getting shorter and slower. So I decided to give cycling a shot as it is a low impact activity. 

Through cycling, I discovered that I was seeing a lot more places that I would not have visited. My regular cycling started in 2014 when my elder brother, Steven Ng, added me to LCSG. 

Thats how I looked in 2014. With my belly abit round. :) 

My first ride with LCSG was to Sembawang Park on 19 May 2014. During those rides with LCSG, I met Jimmy Kam. After the LCSG ride from Punggol to Marina Bay East to watch our 2014 NDP fireworks, he introduced me to a group of seniors that ride regularly. He also brought me to many places and PCNs that I have never been before and that’s what made me wants to explore and discover more interesting places.

My ride kakis 

Most of the regular riders in the group are retirees in their 60s and 70s except a couple of them in their late 40s. Usually about 6 to 8 riders in each ride. Our rides are usually quite relaxed. Old engine cannot be stressed too much lah. However will “qiong” when we are at a long straight stretch like the Changi Coast Road PCN.

Always hunting for C&G (cheap and good) food. (i.e. $2.00 for mixed veg rice with 2 vegs and 1 meat). It’s like winning a trophy each time we find a cheap meal. It’s a simple joy.

This group of old folks prefer to ride on PCN and pavement. We will only ride on the road when there is not much traffic. We are mindful that our reaction and eyesight is not at its best.

Our favourite RI route is from Halus to Punggol Waterway, Yishun, Admiralty, Woodlands Road, Sungei Kadut, Pang Sua PCN, B. Batok, Ulu Pandan PCN, Alexander PCN, Promenade, MBS, ECP, CV and home sweet home. I think our favourite part is along Ulu Pandan PCN until Ghim Moh. Total distance of this RI route is about 100 km. Sometimes we do it clock wise. When we reach Admiralty West, everyone will complain about those slopes as it was at the tail end of our ride when everyone was tired. Other than our long ride occasionally, we are usually quite relaxed. Stop whenever we need to, continue chatting when the subject is interesting. I guess that’s what makes the group clicked.

Riding three times a weeks and each ride covering above 50km, we ran out of idea quickly. So re-visiting places is quite normal. We will ride the same route with a little tweak like going through HDB estate and a little detour here and there and surprisingly not many riders can remember the route. And this is also part of the fun.

We also like places like those black and white bungalows near Sembawang Park, Canada Road and also Wessex Estate. Our most visited place, I think, it’s the Bay area. We never got tired of it. Its so beautiful and Singaporean should be proud of it. In short, we go everywhere in Singapore.

My furthest venture with the group was to Paken Nanas in JB.

Cycling keeps mine mind focus and alert. Always looking out for obstacles, uneven roads, pedestrians, motor vehicles etc. As we do not plan our route, we change our route according to the calling of our stomach and time constrain and usually there is no objection from the group.

It is a joy to ride with those buddies. We joke, we laugh and make fun of each other without any hard feeling. A group of very nice uncles.

I am not a strong rider but very happy with the achievement within 2 years. Important thing is to stay mobile and healthy for as long as possible so that I don’t have to burden my children. Please feel free to ask if you need any more input." 
Dennis Ng 

Taiwoon: That's so inspiring Dennis! I love the fact you found a group of kakis whom u can meet up regularly, cycle and find the "C and G". Keep on rolling and thank you so much for sharing your story!

Why I support the SG Car free day

Screen grab from Toggle

This was supposed to be mentioned on Telly( around 13.50), and in a sort of way some of it was communicated. 
Many thanks to my lovely wife Kim who listened to my ramblings patiently. Summarised and translated it into this. I want to share it as I feel its very concise and why I do it. 

Taken by my friends as I represented LCSG to explain why we are pulling all stops to make Car Free Day happen

"我们参加、支持这个活动， 是觉得它很有意思，好玩、健康又能展现出城市生活的令一种可能性。 

就象拍照，换个角度就会拍出不同的风景。没有车行驶的马路，我们可以一起散步，一起遛狗，一起骑脚踏车，一起享受沿途美好的风景。 如果愿意换个角度看事情，就会有不同的可能性。 

就像母鸡带小鸡，我们会安排有丰富经验的骑士带领着新手一起骑到政府大厦广场，一路上可以有照应，可以互相帮忙。

我们会有三个车队，从东边、北边和西边出发，一起骑向集合点。想参加的朋友可以到LCSG 的FB 登记"

In English

Why did LCSG participate in CarFree day?

We chose to be get involved as it's a meaningful, fun and healthy event. More importantly it provides an alternative demonstration to city possibilities. 

It just like taking a photograph. With a change in perspective, a photo can feel very very different. So imagine with a road with no cars, we could take a slow stroll, hold hands, jog, walk the dog and of course ride in a really leisurely pace. That would feel so nice and pleasant, wouldnt it? 

If we can change our perception of things and try a different approach, we could have many delightfully different possibilities and experiences. 

Many of the riders have feedback to us that they would love to cycle commute to work. But many are also worried and not sure. We took this event as a good demonstration of showing the cycling possibilities. 

We got the more experienced/regular riders to lead and chaperone the newer riders to trial out a commuting to city route. These way, the good practises and safety know how can be transferred to the newer riders. 

There are 3 routes, from Bishan park Mac, Kembangan MRT and Clementi. The distance are roughly just over 10ish km and flat. What we hope is that we can help move more over that mental block and show that is possible to cycle to work. For folks interested pls go to LCSG FB event page to know more. 

Cycling to get around your neigbourhood

I saw the scene near my home today. They are sending their child to the nearby childcare or school. No fuss, just a simple and most practical way to do so.  Its a normal thing to do. They take the pavement because it is the safer option and they are probably uncomfortable with the road traffic.
Imagine if we have even safer condition for cycling. I am sure more would try the cycling option. 
For now, let's try to use the bicycle as much as we can for our daily task. Start small. Try using it to go for dinner, for buying some simple groceries.  These actions will help change perceptions of the bicycle as a form of recreation. 
One bicycle at a time.... we will get there! 

Taiwoon cycling profile by Huay Leng

I am very honored to  have Huay Leng  profile me on Wanpau. I keeping it here so you can read  abit about me and why I do Loveyclingsg. 
I know I sound like selling "snake oil" but its really very special thing we are doing. Come  and experience it.  
The digital link is here if you like to read. 

Chinese version from Wan Pau

云大云在一家电脑公司工作，负责打印机的设计。到了周末，他就摇身一变，成为带领骑车人士穿街走巷认识新加坡的脚踏车达人。他在2006年左右，和友人发起一个松散的组织，相约一起骑车，然后在部落格上记录骑车的经验，包括贴文和照片。这个组织后来发展成“新加坡爱骑车队伍”，参与者越来越多，除了部落格，骑车队在面簿上大约有一万个面友，大家发布有关骑车的信息。 云大云在部落格这么写道：“骑车好玩，如果和志同道合，一心喜欢骑车的朋友一起，那就更好玩。它无关脚踏车，无关那些新奇昂贵的齿轮。只要骑着车，感受扑面凉风，那就是人生乐事了。啊，而且还会让你食欲大增呢。”
本报总编辑日前专访今年40岁的云大云，听他谈这个骑车队的由来，为什么他愿意花时间组织志同道合者骑车，他在脚踏车上看到的人生风景，以及谈骑车与他设计电脑产品的关系。

组骑车队  由吃开始 很典型的新加坡人。云大云的“新加坡爱骑车队伍”（LoveCyclingSg）是从吃开始的。大概在2006、2007年，云大云仍在飞利浦工作时，和一起做产品设计的同事中午时分，就会到公司附近觅食。从同事邀他去吃鱼丸面开始，午餐到工厂附近的觅食与畅谈让他对这个过程上瘾。有同事骑脚踏车上班，他则把脚踏车带来办公室，专门在午餐时间出游。 后来，云大云离开飞利浦到另一家公司，特别怀念午餐之约，回去找老同事一起，改而在周末骑车。因为云大云十分健谈，朋友后来鼓励他把自己的想法写下来，当时流行部落格上写东西，云大云在这个平台上记录了骑车的风景、认识的同路人，也上载一些与脚踏车相关的常识等等。

记录所见　寻访老味道 他说，他没有想到这些记录引起不少人的共鸣，到后来，几乎每个周末到来前，就会在面簿上发出关于那个周末骑车的行程。LoveCyclingSg日渐壮大，有爱骑车的人士研究好路线，在某个地点让大家聚集后出发，有人开路，有人沿途照应，有人殿后。 他们走的是“感情路线”，有时是去发掘大家所不认识的新加坡，到一些比较冷门的地方。2010年9月，加冷国家体育场开始拆除，他们一起到加冷一带吃早餐，然后骑车到国家体育场，后来记录了眼前所见：“大部分东西都已经不见踪影了，但是记忆还在，柱子、墙壁和精工牌大钟牵动着这些记忆。在体育场内，瞭望足球场，木凳都已被拆下，有序地摆放在地上（本来的跑道）。眼睁睁看着这个伟大的足球场被拆毁真是让人悲伤。没办法，我想什么都会变化，时间到了，得拆的就得拆。再见了国家体育场，谢谢所有的记忆。我会记得你的。” 他们也骑车去丹戎巴葛火车站、到马里士他路一带闻老式面包店做出面包的味道。云大云还带大家从大巴窑骑车到波东巴西，看前老牌反对党议员詹时中过去在该区接见选民时，组屋楼下摆放的桌子。这些对他来说，是新加坡记忆的一部分。他在所经营的部落格上，挂了许多这些骑车“寻幽探秘”的照片。

不一样的眼捕捉小历史 骑车是一双不一样的眼睛。他说：“你走路时，半径大约是2至3公里，骑车的圆周则可能是10公里，范围更大。当然，你可以开车，但是很多时候我们开车经过许多道路，往往视而不见。骑车不同，慢慢地骑，你会闻到周围的气味，看到沿途的风景。” 育有一个八岁的女儿，云大云对新加坡环境的迅速变化特别有感触。他说：“我跟其他人说，我们不必去想很宏大的东西，就做点点滴滴的记录，看到什么就捕捉那个时刻的画面。现在我们拍照时，可能觉得淡然无味，但是就像酿酒一样，慢慢地会有味道。这些照片和记录，假以时日，会形成一把声音。 在新加坡经济迅速发展中成长，属于对新加坡在世界许多基础设施排名中名列前茅“习以为常”的一代，云大云对旧的生活方式、对自己童年无限缅怀。他回去寻访在大巴窑上小学时经过的游乐场，找回小时在游乐场看到的动物塑像。

‘要走得快，还是走得远？’ 他说：“其实回到一个老问题，那就是我们得问自己，是要走得快，还是要走得远？我不知道。不过，我们同龄的朋友现在对新加坡的这些成就，感情上有点抽离。一位建筑师告诉我，他已经停止捐钱给母校了，因为捐给母校的钱，是推动自己原来的母校建筑消失。”  
云大云除了感伤，更希望通过骑车寻访记忆的另类方式，得到慰藉。这是较积极与快乐的方式。他说：“新加坡得要经历的改变，那些属于大历史。但我想我们也应该保留小历史。我要书写的就是小历史，捕捉那一刹那。这是我们的家，是我们认同和维护的地方，我们得去捕捉这些小小的镜头，这一点一滴。”

‘骑车让我更了解人’ 云大云目前在美国电脑公司Dell工作，负责打印机的产品设计。听起来他的工作与技术和工程有关，但是如果你以为他是个只谈电脑技术的人，那就大错特错了。云大云很清楚，产品的使用，最终都是要回归到人——用户身上，因此做产品设计不是懂得技术的问题，而是了解人的性情、需要和习惯。 他说：“我现在做的和在学校学的是两回事。我们在学校学产品设计，是要把东西做得美美的。把东西做得漂亮固然重要，但是更重要的是让产品有存在的意义，让人觉得适用。谈意义不是有形的，其实会更加困难，因为得想怎么赋予产品意义，怎么通过产品把人联系起来？” 而这些和他的兴趣，和他周末骑车是否相关？有什么关系？

设计是为了人而做 云大云解释：“虽然骑车并不直接相关，但是骑车教了我很多东西。每个星期天，当我和一起骑车的朋友们接触——许多不相识的朋友，其实这个过程帮助我了解人的不同。不仅他们的背景不同，每个人其实也有自己不同的一面。你现在是个记者，但这只是你的一面。而做产品设计时，设计师得照顾到营销者的便利。为了其他种种的便利，设计者可能就得去寻求统一需求的方式，设计出单一和简单的作品，而无法照顾个别的特质，毕竟商业产品得考虑的往往是盈利。” 他说：“做设计这一行，我们有很多人常聚在一起谈设计，谈论的就是得奖作品。但这也是个问题，设计者只能就设计论设计，很容易忽略掉设计的主体是人，是为了人而做的。” 每个星期天组织骑车，让云大云有机会接触到来自四面八方的人，有的是退休人士，有的是老板，有的是学生，他说，接触不同背景的人，让他更懂得谦卑。问他是否有具体如何应用骑车的例子，转化到他的产品上。他没有直接的答案。

“我的工作是与打印机的设计有关。打印机正经历很大的变化，十几二十年前，人们开始谈论以后会进入无纸张时代，不再需要打印机了，但是纸张到今天还存在，人们还在打印。不过，现在我们在设法了解的是移动的技术，用移动电话、平板电脑，关键不在人们不需要打印，而是怎么在需要的时候打印。 因此，了解人们行为上的改变很重要。如果我们看脚踏车这个类别，它过去纯粹是一种交通工具，人们选择它，因为它相对便宜。但是脚踏车也有不同的用途了，现在脚踏车对一些人来说，有消闲用途，它的意义也更为多层。因此，你如果问我，我的工作和我骑车有什么关系，它可能没有直接关系，但是它帮助我了解人。”

小时成绩并不优异

现在的云大云有思考，有行动，不过他读书时候不是那种成绩优异的学生。在大巴窑长大，小学就读于大巴窑六巷的公立培群学校，学业成绩并不理想，但是他对学校、老校长陈经源却心存感激。他说，当时双亲都在工作，而大概是男生迟发育，对于读书他不是太在意。他对打乒乓比较有兴趣，是校队队员，结果得参加老校长陈经源每天早晨6点半为成绩不好的学生开办的数学补习班。云大云的华文也不好，他说，老师的教学方式显然不吸引他。小六会考放榜，云大云选择中学，被分配到他的第三志愿——中华中学。但是云大云还是感恩于培群学校，他说，学校的环境很传统，因此现在他还是把女儿送回母校就读。

至于自己，到了中华中学之后，他并不因为这是第三志愿而垂头丧气，自暴自弃。因为很清楚自己喜欢设计和安装东西，在中华中学时，云大云发愤图强。老师们对他特别好，照顾他的兴趣所在。他后来考到好成绩，再到淡马锡理工学院修读设计与科技。这个班只录取30人，云大云考上了。理工学院毕业后，他到澳洲墨尔本皇家理工大学修读产品设计。设计的兴趣维持下来，兴趣成为他的工作，而他的生活不受工作的局限。

English version kindly translated by Boo  See the best while cycling - Interviewing Woon Taiwoon

Woon Taiwoon works in an IT company as a designer. When weekends comes along, he transforms into the best guide to show you around Singapore on a bicycle.
Around 2006, some friends and him started a cycling group to explore the joys of riding on his blog. This group soon became LoveCyclingSG (LCSG) which grew into a big group.
He blogged:" Cycling is fun but it will be even more exciting when you ride with friends. It has nothing to do with the bicycle or the expensive bike parts but it is the experience that counts. Cycling also increases your appetite!"
Wanbao is interviewing Taiwoon to find out why he is willing to spend his time to organize rides, his life views and work experiences.
LCSG started between 2006 to 2007 because then he was working at Philips and he wanted to look for a good meal near the office during lunch time. Some colleagues that he lunched with rode a bike to work but he rode his bike to lunch instead. Then when he left the company, he met up with his ex-colleagues during the weekends instead. He was encouraged to blog about his experiences and about the people he met.
Taiwoon did not expect that these articles that he wrote to be very well received. As he blogged more about his riding routes every weekend, more people joined him and it became a group effort with some folks leading, taking photos and some just enjoying the ride.

In September 2010, the old Kallang Stadium was being demolished. They decided to visit it one last time and recorded what was left of it.

"Everything was almost gone but the memories were still around. The signs, the walls and the art tugged at our heartstrings. The wooden benches were almost all gone. Seeing all these made us really sad. But oh well, to make way for the future, what needs to be gone has to be gone. Goodbye Stadium and thank you for the memories. I'll remember you forever."
The group also visited the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station and also the old bakeries around Balestier. Taiwoon also brought the folks to Potong Pasir where the old desk of Mr. Chiam See Tong is.
To him, these are part of Singapore's memories. In his blog, there are many photographs which document all these memories.
He thinks that by riding a bicycle, it is a vastly different experience. This is because your riding area could be a radius of 10km while if you walk, you probably only explore 2 to 3 km. Of course if you drive a car, you can go further but you see different things. Riding is different as you can slowly absorb the surroundings and sights.

Taiwoon said :" We want to record the details and capture the moment. When we look back at the photos that we have taken, we will appreciate them like a fine wine."

As Singapore grows at a very fast rate, and with the current generation putting priority on being first in everything, Taiwoon misses his childhood days and finds comfort in going back to his old playground at Toa Payoh.
He said: " To ask ourselves, do we want to go fast or go far? I don't know. However, friends around my age are a little disappointed and emotionally detached with Singapore's current achievements. An architect once told me that he had already stop donating money to his alma mater because it is the money that pushed for the destruction of the old school buidings."
Taiwoon wants to use his cycling memories in a more positive way. "Singapore has to go through big changes and this is her history. However, we should keep our little memories of the history which I am writing about. By capturing that tiny moment in time, we get to keep our home and what we treasure." said Taiwoon.
Currently, Taiwoon is working in Dell and in charge of designing printing products. If you think he only talks about the technical aspects, you are wrong. He is very clear that the user of a product is still human. Hence the product designer needs to understand the user's habits and wants. "What I am doing now and what I have learnt in school is totally different. During school, we learnt how to make things perfect. Although that is very important, I feel that the product should have a meaning afterall. The product should make people very comfortable to use it and somehow I need to link the product and user." said Taiwoon.
So how is his work related to cycling?
He explained, "Although it is not directly related, but cycling taught me alot. Every Sunday when I get in touch with the cyclists from all walks of life, it helped me to understand different people. Everyone is unique with their own backgrounds. For example, you are a reporter but this is just what you do. It is like you are a product designer and you need to take care of how the product can bring in profits. However, the designer also need to seek out a solution and come out with a design that can be both beautiful and profitable."
In the design world, we gather and talk about winning products. This is, however, a problem as the designer can only talk about the design and easily forgets what was his original idea which was to create something for the people."
The Sunday rides allowed Taiwoon to get in touch with so many kinds of people which included retiress, business owners, students and this made him very humble.
"My job is related to the design of printers. This product has undergone many big changes since 20 years ago. People no long need a printer which just prints on paper but the humble paper still exist till now. Now, we are trying to undestand how the mobile world works as the people needs to print on the go. Hence the most important thing is to find out the behavior of the users. If we use this as an example on the bicycles, you will see that the bicycle used to be just a cheap form of transport. However, it has many other uses as well. To some folks, it is now a hobby. So if you ask me, the bicycle helped me to understand the relationship between people." said Taiwoon.
Taiwoon grew up in Toa Payoh and attended Pei Chun Public School and was not the top student. However, he is very grateful to the school and the principal. He mentioned that he used to be more interested in playing table tennis than in studying. Being in the school team but as he did not have a fantastic result, he had to attend extra classes at 6.30am which was conducted by the principal. He finds that the school has a really traditional culture and hence he has sent his daughter to the school as well.
He did not make it to his first choice of secondary school but this did not stop him from working harder. Taiwoon was well taken care of by the teachers and made it to Temasek Polytechnic for a design course. After that, he went on to take up a product design course in RMIT in Melbourne.
As Taiwoon's interest grew in design, it became part of his work. His life is now filled with both his passion for design and cycling.