Cycling paths for towns. Tampines leads the way!

I saw this posting on MP Irene Ng Facebook wall. Yes, it felt a bit "self promotional" but taking another view, it sure does help improve the overall cyclebility in Tampines. 
It makes me happy that cycling is being embraced as an alternative way to get around. Sure there will be issues but everything new will have their problems. I sincerely hope beyond Tampines,more towns will adopt the best practices from Tampines. That's what MP Irene Ng posted. Have a look and really like to hear your views.

MP Irene Ng cycling with the residents 

L-R  LTA Mr Chew, MP Irene Ng, Dr Faisal 

"Promoting cycling also benefits those who do not cycle. How? When residents ride the bicycle instead of driving a car, they reduce the number of cars on the road. This means less traffic, less parking problems, cleaner air and a greener environment for all.

When residents cycle instead of taking the feeder buses, they reduce the congestion on buses. This means a more pleasant journey on buses and with shorter waiting times for commuters. Other benefits are: A healthier population and a more sustainable town.

Since Tampines was officially declared Singapore’s first cycling town in 2010, after a two-year trial, we have made much progress.

We improved our cycling infrastructure, stepped up on our enforcement of errant cyclists, and promoted safe cycling through our volunteer cycling wardens and Tampines Cycling Club. Cycling has indeed become a convenient way of getting about within the neighbourhood.

Every day I look around Tampines and I see more and more residents cycling to the market, to the coffeeshops, to the MRT station, to schools and parks. Many use bicycles for short daily errands. They include housewives, the elderly and students.

An increasing number is also taking to cycling for sport and recreation, cycling to Pasir Ris Park or the parks in other towns using the park connector network.

A big thank you to residents in Tampines for supporting this bold vision of becoming a model cycling town in Singapore."

MP Irene Ng

2 brothers killed by a Cement Trucker at Tampines

Yesterday evening, I was greeted with a very sad news. First from Lovecyclingsg Facebook... later in the SG media. It involved 2 school kids and a cement truck.  

Seriously. How many more need to die? It happened 50m from the School for heavens sake! I can't imaging the trauma and anguish for their parents. 

Also on the news was that the junction was known to be dangerous and heavy with traffic.  Dangerous and nothing is being done?  Specific to this location, what about a "School Zone" speed limit? This is done in many countries like States and Australia. Speed limit are enforced strictly and the speed for the area are slowed down with addition speed stripes, raised ramp platforms. 

No matter how safe a cyclist ride, we are still at a losing end of the deal. Thats how it is. I don't like it but that the way it is.  

To Drivers, please please watch out for cyclists. It might be a slight scratch on your bumper but your action have great consequences. 

To Cyclists friends, please please be on your guard and watch out.  Dont' ride like you are invincible. We got only our senses to keep us safe. 

Building cycling town ride 13th Feb 2011

 Beautiful look out point at Bedok Reservoir

Amazing turn out of 46 riders came for the Building town rides at Aranda Country club at Pasir Ris town this morning!!! Roadies, foldies, MTB, char par lan and bikes of all makes congregated.... like a pasar malam. It was great to see all chatting away, trying each other bikes. Great buzz of activities and many happy faces.  

All for the love of riding! photo credit KC 

We started off the ride with Maria sharing her role in town planning and how cycling lanes was not really considered into town planning initially and the challenges in changing mindsets. Abit too lengthy introduction but considering the amount of information...I don't know any better way. 

Maria, sharing the route and her story of Tampines/Pasir Ris 

Then we started the ride... It was chaotic initially as the route was not really suited for so many riders but we managed, barely...with the support of the regulars like GL, Andy, Clarence, brandon, Zack, Eddie and many others whom helped in guiding the newer riders and block off traffic. Thanks friends! 

minor bicycle jam...

Roadie, Foldie and MTBs...riding together

One of the cool place we visited was an organic garden hidden right in the sleepy HBD heartlands. It was an amazing place which had lots of plants like Basil and many flowers. After awhile, many were bored with the numerous array of plants and we went to have a coffee break at the nearby shops. Chatting and swapping bike stories, riding techniques and laughters. With stomaches filled, we rode around Bedok reservoir and had another group photo after a challenging hill over looking the water. This was the highest point of the area saw some riders red with effort riding up. Later on, we also saw the Berlin wall at a part of the Bedok park....many could't believe it that it was the real wall. 

organic gardening right in centre of a sleepy HDB area... cool!

Showing the various plants like basil and others..

Candice must be thinking...."what the hell I got myself into..." 

Audrey with her Speed pro... she rides fast, dun pray pray!

Challenging route overall. It acutely pointed out the the need to synergise the connection points of park connectors and pathways. Maria mentioned that it was an real issue as there were many parties which owns different land area and many times, it was not really coordinated in the planning. The result is seemly ill considered pathways for cyclists. Last takeaway from this ride, I hope in the future town planning, cycling paths can be better designed. In my humble opinion, perhaps it is about time for the town planners  to actually ride the route (based on the proposed design). This way, they will be able to better appreciate all the issues can be better approached and resolved. "Ride the route" meaning riding on an actual bicycle... not drive.... Also, for future rides, I will split up the group to more manageable packs. For example "speedy gonzales pack" -- for the faster riders and "relax pack" who just want to cruise and smell the roses...  Comments and suggestions to make a better ride experience anyone? 
Till the next sunday ride!  

More photos here. 

nice easy stretch of PCN....Rini smiling and  Zack is literally flying!