URA on cycling to work video

This is a big deal as these are all real cycle commuters in Singapore. Not models and not "experts" who don't really ride spouting advice. This is the real deal.  Here's their story and how they cycle to work! After that, pls also click the LTA masterplan 2040 survey and contribute ur thoughts. Yes, its not going to benifit us but more for our children. 

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.

Rider profile Tom Webster

Hello I am Tom and here's my cycling writeup. 

1) What are your first memories of cycling. 

I grew up in UK and started cycling as a hobby with school friends when I was 14. This involved a combination of cross country riding and dirt jumping. It involved quite a lot of attempting crazy stunts, breaking something on the bike, not being able to afford the bike shop repair fee and then learning to fix it myself. Little evidence exists from this pre-digital camera age, but here are couple of photos taken from a disposable film camera! 

When I was studying at University I took my cycling quite seriously and got quite fit, although I wasn’t organised enough to do any racing. When I started working I did continue cycling every once in a while but was generally less active and my fitness suffered, I do wish I kept a better work-life balance.  In the last 10 years I’ve changed to doing more road based cycling, although I have done a bit of MTB in Singapore - here is a picture of me attempting the Singapore MTB championship in 2016 on a 19 years old bike!

2) How did you come to Singapore and what do you do?. 

I met my now wife at University who is Singaporean, we lived together for a number of years in London but she was longing to return home so I came over here with her. I’m working at NTU doing Autonomous Vehicle related R&D work, my project involves working with Singapore’s authorities to develop the standards, testing and enabling framework to support the adoption of AV’s in Singapore. A key reason why Singapore is promoting AV’s is because they support public transport and shared car use which helps meet transport demands in less space and with fewer numbers of vehicles.   

Add by Taiwoon: I met Tom at the Carfreesunday event (LCSG booth) and he brought a freaking bike stand to help do some basic service (Free) for anyone. Its amazing! 

I fall off my chair when I saw how he brought it... 

Good man

3) Tell me about your cycle to work

Most of my cycling nowadays is commuting. I live with in-laws on the east side of the island and work west side at NTU so it is fair trip of about 31km each way.

Rarely do I cycle every day from Monday to Friday though, three times a week is a normal good week for me. When I first started commuting I tried to incorporate PCN into the route, however over time the route has evolved as I’ve found quicker options with less stoppages and places requiring riding at a slow pace.  My latest route is below doesn’t have any PCN and gets me to work quite a bit faster than the first route I did.

 

4) What are your workplace cycling facilities and how do you sort out your clothes etc.

I’m very lucky to have shower facilities and secure bike parking at work which is a great help. Clothes is a bit trickier but I leave those hanging on my bicycle, fortunately nobody appears interested in stealing my sweaty clothes :) 

Thank you NTU! 

5) What advice would u give folks wanting to try out cycle commute.  

Just like starting any other physical activity don’t expect immediate miracles or be disheartened if you find it difficult at first.

Give yourself plenty of time to recover between rides ease yourself in and it will get easier.

Plan the route and test it out beforehand. At first pick a route on quieter roads until you are more confident. Meet up with more experienced cyclists to learn from them, it takes experience and technique to cycle safely on larger busier roads.

Some logistics planning also helps, leave shoes and clothes at work so you don’t have to carry them.

Always carry a multi tool, spare tube pump, puncture repair kit and know how to repair a puncture.

Particularly if it is a longer journey some bits of equipment really help.

You must have lights if cycling before 7am or after 7pm. Decent USB rechargeable front and rear lights are handy and even during the day advisable for cycling on road.

A bike that fits you (including saddle) and cycling shorts / gloves help with comfort.

Bike mounted bags are a great alternative to a backpack which are uncomfortable in hot & humid weather.

A well maintained bike is safer and less effort to cycle. Learn how to adjust your brakes and keep the chain in good condition.

6) What other cycling stuff do you do 

I enter into a few races every year too. Although I don’t have much success I like to push myself physically and see what I am capable of, having a race coming up gives me some training goals to motivate and work towards. With me doing the commuting to work I found it difficult to find the time and energy to do proper training with a cycling club. However recently I’ve found I can usually make it back from work in time to join a 60km training ride round Tanah Merah Coastal Road with the Integrated Riders club. I have to work hard to keep up with them and it is really helping to improve my fitness. I’ve also done a round Island ride at the weekend with them a few times, they’re a very friendly and helpful group.

I also like the engineering side of cycling, I assemble and maintain all my bikes myself including building the wheels. I sometimes help out other people fix their bike problems. I am also known to sometimes do more ambitious crazy projects such as making my own bike lights. You can contact me directly to learn more. 

Happy cycling! 

Cycling commuters in Singapore

We see more cycling commute to work and they are familiar faces at LCSG. They are the Woo sisters, George Kee, Kee Tiong and Bernard all sharing their route and real life experiences. 
It's good that they are being featured in the media and helps to give more awareness to cycling commuting. Hope this can inspire more to try it. Digital link here 
If you are a cycling commuter in singapore, pls drop me a note below. I want to collect ur route and story so that we can share it out to more folks... 

 

Rider Profile Chong Wee Seng and his cycling to work routes

Hello everyone, 

My name is Wee Seng and I am 51, working in the media industry. 
Here's my contribution to the Singapore cycling profile! 

Its good to be riding

1) Can u also share about how u got started cycling?
Started when I was at a young age. My father taught me to ride.

2) Your first bike if u remember and what are u riding now?
My first bike is a chopper. This is not mine.... but looks something like this. 

Photo Credits : http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/product-news/raleigh-chopper-bicycle-classic-135412

Now I'm riding one of these:
Foldie
MTB
Hybrid bike

My brompton

The other foldie

Wife's bike

3) Your most memorable ride
East Coast Park. Beautiful view and cooling even in mid day.
Pulau Ubin, kampong feel.

4) Does ur family ride and if so, where usually to?
Occasionally, Punggol PCN, Loyang PCN, Pulau Ubin.

Me and my wife riding a relax ride with LCSG 

5) Some advice to folks who are thinking to cycle commute.

• Plan your route.
• Stay alert.
• Wear helmet, install good front and back light.
• Use common sense.
• Learn to give way.
• Know the traffic rules and hand signal

6) Life motto
Be happy. Nothing is forever.

I live simple, nothing much to ask for. Just want to be happy.

7) How cycling have helped you in any way?
I have lost weight and stayed a bit more fitter. I love to meet up with other cyclist via cycling group (LCSG)

This is my Cycle commute details

I stay around Tampines while my work place is at Lorong Chuan. There are some routes which I like to share with fellow riders how I get to work. 

Office building 

Sadly there are no secure bike parking and shower room facility. 
So no bike to work for me. I drive down my bike to office when I will be biking to home the next day.

Route 1 – appox 17km

Transport mode - Public transport

Walk – Mrt – walk, traveling time 1hr 15mins

Route 2 – 23km cycle

Transport mode: Bicycle

Office to home, road and pcn, traveling time 1.5hrs

 Route taken

Lor Chuan – Serangoon Garden – AMK Ave3 – AMK Ind Park 2 – AMK Ave 5 – YCK – Punggol PCN – Pasir Ris Farmway – Tampines Ave 10 – Tampines Ave 9 – Home

Most of the traveling is good except Lor Chuan to Serangoon Garden. Pavement is too small, road is heavy during rush hour.

Issue

·       Heavy traffic during rush hour, not advisable for novice rider and rider not comfortable on the road with such traffic. Pavement from Lorong Chuan to Serangoon Garden is too small to ride on.

·  Most of the traveling is good except Lor Chuan to Serangoon Garden. Pavement is too small, road is heavy during rush hour.

Route 3 – 20km Cycle

Transport mode: Bicycle

Office to home, road and pcn, traveling time 1hrs 28mins

Route taken

Lor Chuan – Serangoon Garden – AMK Ave3 – AMK Ind Park 2 – AMK Ave 5 – YCK – Buangkok Green – Serangoon PCN – Sungei Serangoon PCN – Pungool Promenade Riverside walk PCN - Pasir Ris Farmway – Tampines Ave 10 – Tampines Ave 9 – Home

Issue

Same as route 2

Similar to route 2 with slight variations

Route 4 – 13km Cycle

Transport mode: Bicycle

Home to office or office to home, fully on the road, traveling time 45mins depending of traffic condition. This is the shortest route to office, can only be done safely

Route taken

Lor Chuan – Serangoon Ave 3 - Serangoon Ave 2 - Serangoon Central - Serangoon Ave 1 – Bartly Road – Upper Paya Lebar Road – Ubi Ave 4– Ubi Ave 2 - Kaki Bukit Ave 2 - Kaki Bukit Road 3 - Kaki Bukit Ave 1 – Bedok Reservoir Road – Tampines Ave 10 – Tampines Ave 9 – Home

Issue

Same as route 2

Super awesome route maker to get around - BBBike@Singapore

Cycling is fast becoming an alternative community means. It's not there yet, partly due to infrastructure and safety concerns. So I am always on the look out to find things that can help improve the safety and experience of cycling in Singapore.  Such as this BBBike@Singapore..... 
Here's their website BBBike@Singapore that helps route the commuting route to your preference. I tested it and the routing is quite interesting. Not my usual route. Quite cool!  Try it and tell me if it works for u. 

Key in address to start and destination

Your route preference

It gives u route in words....

There is  elevation and route map(green line). Can print and also export the route too. 

Commuting to work using a MTB

Doesn't matter if its a foldie, if its a road bike or MTB. Any bike can commute.
This is Adrian Choo today when I met him at the office lobby with his narly looking MTB. Looking good man! 

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