School boy cyclist in a Coma after collision

This happened on 18th Sept 2012, Junction of Balam Road and Circuit road.  I am documenting so that we can have more information on the cycling incidents on our roads. My thoughts are with the boy and his parents. :( 

This is Balam Road/Circuit Road on Google map. Have a look at the accident area.

Observation
1) It is a residential area with 2 school with in 200m radius. Probably lots of students would be walking, cycling around esp during the early morning, after school timing.
2) 3 lane with a smooth banking right hander turn
3) Traffic light implemented at Balam/Circuit road, with sloping ramp for the elderly on wheel chair
4) A row of shophouses along Circuit road where pedestrians will try to jaywalk.

3 lane in single direction

Balam Rd/ Circuit road

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"

Bike lanes from all over the world

Bikelanes are happening everywhere. Have a look at the contributions by fellow lovecyclingsg folks when they travel to different places...  Ok, I know we shouldn't be blindly copying but on the same note, we should be stubborn and blindly keep things as it is.
I will keep adding more places that have bikelanes, paths to share with all. Including LTA and our MOT pple.

Paris - note how the tile creates a seperate bike path

KaoShiong Taiwan - Painted lines   - Photo by George Lim

San Francisco - USA  - Painted line with bicycle logo - Photo by Ro

Penang, Malaysia  - Painted line with bicycle logo   - Photo by Boon

Even in Penang, Malaysia!!! Ok, if bikepath takes up too much space, what about bus/bike lane.  This is not a new idea... we have seen this in Perth! Thanks to Bro Al for providing the photo.

specific time which allows the bicycle and bus to use the left lane only.  Photo by Al 

New York has it too! - Photo Credit Newyork times

Munich, Germany. Using the pavement and painted line  Photo credit Huffingtonpost.com

Rider Profile - Ivan Ng

Ivan(nearer to you) with Okky on a Kopi run   Photo credit by Diane

Regulars on Ivan's Sat Breakfast club ride - Photo Credit by Diane

Chill and chat with cycle friends - Photo credit Diane

* Tell me about yourself
After six years of working in the financial industry, it became so mundane and too much of a money chase that I decided to change my perspective and career to - teaching!!! This is something which I did not foresee myself doing. I just cannot imagine myself teaching 40 kids and managing them.

But now I do realise I'm more happy at work, teaching and interacting with my students. Work is now more meaningful.

* Why do you like cycling?

Cycling has always been a part of my life. After watching E. T., it had to be that BMX. So the journey of training wheels and many falls started and I was stoke when I got my first BMX!!! Because I grew up in a shop house, there were the back lanes and alleys for my friends, brothers and myself to "chiong" without worries of any cars, albeit the occasional barking dogs. From BMX, slowly I went on to cycling MTB to show the machoness during my teens so as to attract the girls *grin*

I couldn't explain why I stopped during my adulthood but the itch came back when I saw my colleague's Dahon. I was attracted to the small wheels and the folding. It's just so different from the roadies and more interesting. I bought my first 20" foldie from MBS which was the AEON brand. But the real poisoning came when I went to Lifecycle to buy my helmet. The new Tern really caught my eye and I immediately went back to post my sales ad for the AEON on Togoparts and bought the Tern Link P9 the next day. Now the speed demon in me really started to show, muahahahaha.

The first time I caught a glimpse of LCSG was when I was researching about folding bikes. Then I saw my primary school friend's name in the members' list, Jasmine Foo!!! So we arranged to meet and the first ride was that to FOrt Canning for the LCSG showcase. That was also the day when I made new friends like Francis and Taiwoon.

Now, the "Saturday Breakfast Club". It all started when I met up with Bless for a ride one night. I posted on LCSG's fb page and she responded. During our pitstop at Mr. Prata, it gave me an idea to do a Coffee Ride when I realise there are like-minded people who in LCSG who love a good cup of joe. So after two coffee rides and the coffee appreciation ride to Yahava, a few of us started to meet regularly to ride on Saturdays to find good breakfast and coffee. They are Bless, Diane, Ro, Okky, David Christine and myself. It just happened during one of our rides that we coined ourselves the "Saturday Breakfast Club". I would research on new joints and the route. Ro and Diane will be our official photographers. Okky big bro will sometimes buy us the coffee. The rest will provide the entertain during the rides. Hahahaha.

My breakfast khakis know that I can be abit fast when I ride but they also know that I will never leave anyone behind. I will always be at the next traffic light or bus stop waiting for them.

Basically, I love cycling because besides me getting my workout, I get to spend quality time with my friends. I want to say something, that is I have definitely made some really good friends because of cycling.

* Your steel horses- names and more details.

1st bike – AEON 20". Well, it's my first foldie and it served it's purpose as my market bike. (Sold)

2nd bike – Tern Link P9. This is my first foray into bikes above the $1k mark. This is a good all-purpose bike that can go fast. I love how Tern has improved on the old Dahon design and made their bikes better. (Sold)

3rd bike - Bike Friday Express Tikit. When Bike Friday had their anniversary promotion on the premium colours, I quickly gave Simon from Lifecycle a call!!! Once I rode on the tikie and I knew that's the one. I chose my color combi and now people always smile when they see my canary yellow "Batmobile".

4th bike – Raw Brompton M6R. Before the hype of the NParks saga, I tried Bless's brompton and I got hook by it's compactness. But the priority was to get a sturdy bike for my wife to ride with my dog. And when my colleague told me she is going to Hong Kong, that nailed my decision to get it (saved $1k!!)

5th bike – Tyrell CSI with SRAM Force groupset. The tikit can go fast but It's really tiring when I try to chase the roadies (they are my targets to push my limits) 16" really has it's limits. Then I ask Encik Lim for advice and he suggested the Tyrell for it's lightness (sub 8kg). When I first rode the bike, I could not wipe that big white smile off my face. My training partner Ro, also notice and she made the comment "Ivan, you are flying now."

*Your favorite cycling kakis

Definitely my colleague and neighbour, David, who introduce me back to cycling. We had really good time before I got to know LCSG. 

Ro - My training partner. She is a long distance runner and with her always behind me, it really pushes me to go further and faster.

Last but not least, my "Saturday Breakfast Club" members!!!!! Bless, Diane, Ro, David, Okky & Christine. I always look forward to every time we meet.

* Your favourite cycling route and LCSG ride

Definitely the rides that link up all the nice indie coffee joints and makan places.

I did not join much LCSG ride as Sunday is my mainly my family day but the best would definitely be the Fort Canning ride which I met my new "family".

* Your role at LCSG
To be a responsible cyclist and to help when needed.

* Tips to share with fellow riders
Ride hard and Ride safe

* Who would u like to see being featured in Smallwheelbigsmile? Arrow someone to be featured...

Sze Sze (Sze Disappeared) and Chiu Ling.

LCSG Servicing workshop 16th Sept 2012

It is by doing and getting ur hands dirty that u will remember the skill and empathize!

As Lovecyclingsg grows in size, we get lots of questions how to fix this and that. Some were totally cluelessly about maintaining their bicycle. Highest on the list was fixing a flat.
So in the spirit of "teach a man to fish, he can catch fish, then catch fish for him/her", the LGSG team went about the bicycle servicing worshop. Led ably by Louis Lee and Hardy, the workshop went like clockwork. First was run-down and explanation of the bicycle components, followed then by a youtube  presentation on how to change tubes. Hardy and George Lim then showed slowly the full process, what to do and look out for.

Connecting the dots... Louis was trying to share..  

Hardy, smooth operator ... makes it look so easy!

Encik showing Lisa how to change a flat

The fun part then started.  Brompton dept was manned by Alvin wong and Khairul, while the Dahons/Terns/Tikits and MTB was managed by Hardy, Steve Tan, Louis with the help of many folks like Stanley, Darren, Uncle KC, Tomorrow, Vince.  While we sweated, cursed and found that it was not as easy as it looked. I am pretty sure that the hands on approach allowed all to put this information permanently into our heads.  Here are the photos from today and many many thanks to George Kee, Louis Lee, Hardy and many other who made this happen for all!

More photos here for u download:) 

Vince helping a fellow cyclist on the correct way of fixing a tube

KengHo helping Bless and showing how it is done.. Bless on the other hand.. is about done

Yayyyhhh We did it! Not too difficult right? 

Who to call if u see trees fallen at PCN

Some good information to keep handy. When u see fallen trees,  broken PCN or damaged equipment in PCN .... Call 1800-471-7300
More details at Diane's blog 

If u need to feedback to Nparks.... 

Rider Profile - Bless

Bless learning the finer tips of bike handling 

Bless and with the rest of "7-11" at LCSG 2012 Treasure hunt   photo credit Bless

Rider Profile- Bless Cristobal 

* Tell me about yourself

Hi Guys, my name’s Bless and I’m working as a business analyst for a French bank.  I come from a family of 7.  My Dad, Mum, eldest sister and baby brother live in the Philippines, while a sister is in Abu Dhabi and an older brother lives in New Zealand.  Yeah, yeah, I’m a middle child =P.  I love the beach and consider lounging around with a drink in one hand and a book in the other as my perfect holiday.  I enjoy traveling and this has led me to the shores of Singapore. 

* How did you start cycling?

I learned to cycle basically thru guts and stubbornness.  My Dad does not approve of “girls” riding a bike.  He considered it too dangerous a sport for a girl =P (double standard since he bought my older bro a bike).  Unfortunately for him, I’m the kind of girls who likes climbing trees, fences, rooftops, etc.  My grandpa (who looked after us while my parents were at work) basically let you do anything as long as you don’t cry when you hurt yourself.  I learned to cycle on my bro’s BMX while my Lolo (grandpa) does chores outside the house.  As long as he can see me, he let me do my thing.  So once my parents leave for work, it was time to do my “training”.  Hehehe.  I was maybe 5-6 yrs olds then.  My brother, who was 5 years older, was considerably taller than me and had the seatpost adjusted to his height.  I remember I always had to have something to step on in order to push off and get on the saddle because the seat was too high for me.  You can safely assume I got a lot of scrapes during this period but I enjoyed it too much to give it up.   Growing up, my neighbors were kind enough to share their bikes during afternoon playtime.  I get to use my brother’s if he’s not using it.  My concept of cycling then was just to go round and round our neighborhood.  Never venturing more than a couple of streets away otherwise the adults will start to worry.  I cycled on and off during my school years, mostly using whatever bike my brother has (bmx (got stolen),  a road bike, then an mtb (also got stolen) and no, all of them remained too big for me).  I used the bike mainly as a means of transportation to get around the village to hang out with friends.  Eventually I learned to drive so that was the end of cycling.  Anyway, I got into less trouble with my Dad over the car than a bike.   

The next time I was on a bike was 2 years back.  My friend and I were on a trip in Chiang Mai and we signed up for a 5 hour bike tour.  I didn’t know what to expect and I was super rusty but the experience reminded me of how I loved cycling before.  I think we did about 15 kms that day.  We saw a temple, a bake shop, a candy shop, passed by an old leper colony, old farm roads plus ate durian at the local public market.   It was such a positive experience that going back to SG made me think of the reasons why I didn’t have a bike.  I knew so little about SG except for the normal stuff (home are, the malls, tourist places and my office).  It took me another 6 months before I visited a bike shop that was near where I lived.  I left that shop riding my first bike. ^_^

* Why do you like cycling?

I like cycling for the freedom it gives.  I’m not limited to taking a taxi, mrt or bus for transpo.  I can pretty much go anywhere without thinking off how far it is from the next bus stop or mrt.  The sheer joy of feeling the wind on your face as you cycle along.  You get to know a place better since you see more than what is usual.   Plus it’s healthy way to get in some exercise.        

* When u met LCSG - how was it like and how did you meet us?

I discovered foldies when I was looking for a phone holder on my MTB.  I ended up getting it at MBS and it was the first time I was up close and personal with these kind of bikes.  The guys there were super nice and encouraged me to try it out.  That got me into researching folding bikes in SG.  
In the course of my research, I ended up seeing Francis, Taiwoon and Kevin and Gwyn ’s blog and from there LCSG forum and FB page.  I remember stumbling into the blog about the treasure hunt last year and I saw all the pics of all these happy people on bikes having fun.  

Seeing the motto E.R.P.  (Eat.Ride.Photo) made me think it was something I could do.  I ended up going to the PAssion Cycling Club launch at Geylang Serai Community Center since it was the event that was near enough that I could just cycle down from home.  It was at first intimidating going there alone but everyone was so nice and welcoming.  It was so much fun that I’ve been with the group ever since.   

* Your steel horses- names and more details.

1^st bike – Trek 4500 WSD MTB. Loved it. Steady first bike.  It’s now with someone who will appreciate her more.  I met LCSG with this one.

2^nd bike – Pre-loved Dahon Speed D7.  My “folding” while waiting for my Brommie.  Couldn’t miss those LCSG rides that were too far for me to cycle down to. 

3^rd bike – Brompton M6R.  After a long wait, this baby came home with me.  Loved it then and still love it now.   

4^th bike – Pre-loved Brompton S6L-X.  Have I told I got obsessed with B’s that I got another one.   This is my speedy version.  Lol!

*Your favorite cycling kakis

LCSG!!!  The Sunday rides introduced me to soo many new friends and places.  Singapore became a place to discover new things and experiences.

Saturday Coffee Riders!!! South central Singapore’s version of training/coffee/food ride.  Basically, Ivan plots the route and we all fall in.  Hahaha.  Special mention to our regular riders Diane, Ro, Okky, Christine, Vince and now Sze sze.        

* Your favourite cycling route and LCSG ride

Route, nothing in particular.  Every ride has its own charm.  LCSG ride, the most memorable was the trip to Desaru as Tai Woon says “We ride as a team, suffer as a team, eat as a team and finish as a team!”  True enough it was all that.  Thanks to the awesome company we managed and conquered Desaru.  Special thanks to Aunty Mary for organizing all the training rides.   Those really helped in building endurance.  

* Your role at LCSG

Just a happy cyclist along for the ride.  

* Tips to share with fellow riders

Just go out and cycle.  Have fun and keep safe.

* Who would u like to see being featured in Smallwheelbigsmile? Arrow someone to be featured...

Ivan Ng

April Diaz

Okky Lie

Stiffer Penalties for cyclists is the solution?

I just find that if our folks in power do not experience cycling on the SG roads themselves, there is no way they can understand the issues cyclists face on the SG road. If no space is the issue, the more we need to start to change the infrastructure and use stuff that is more space efficient. Like a bicycle.  And perhaps we should ask why are all the developed countries embracing bicycles while the developing countries are choosing cars... and facing lots of issue.  Read this excellent article by Nick McHugh ... 

"Stiffer penalties for cyclists do not solve the problem

From Nick McHugh 04:45 AM Sep 14, 2012
The cycling community has called for more protection for cyclists who take to the road, and so the authorities are reviewing penalties for cycling offences ("Penalties to be reviewed", Sept 11).
Am I the only one who sees that this makes no sense?
I have seen some confusing riding styles here - I still cannot get used to people riding down the wrong side of the road - but punishing cyclists is not going to ease the situation.
Motorists calling for harsher penalties are simply trying to justify their lack of willingness to share what they see as their roads, by citing the behaviour of a few errant riders.
Consider this: Cyclists do not kill motorists. If a cyclist makes a mistake and is hit by a car, he ends up in hospital. But if a motorist makes a mistake, it is still the cyclist who suffers. Perhaps that is why the current fine is only S$20.
An arrogant, impatient motorist can kill and cause immeasurable suffering. It stands to reason that the penalties for dangerous driving should be much harsher.
Singapore already lags behind the rest of the world in encouraging alternative forms of transport, including cycling.
Many developed countries have recognised the destructive effects of fossil fuel-burning vehicles and massive motorway systems, and instead are encouraging closer communities and cleaner, healthier forms of transport.
Singapore's small land mass is an argument for cycling and against cars. Distances here are short and easily manageable by bicycle. If more people used bicycles, it would alleviate parking issues here.
A bicycle takes up less than 1/20th of the space taken up by a car. If more people were to cycle, we would not need so many roads, which cover an enormous land area, divide communities, cause noise and add to visual pollution.
Bicycles are also quicker, convenient and more efficient in a tightly-packed city.
Parliamentary Secretary (Transport) Faishal Ibrahim notes that not many people cycle as an alternative form of transport here, especially in the Central Business District.
As it stands, cycling in Singapore is tantamount to suicide. Culturally, there is an attitude that roads are only for motorists, and many of them make a point of not sharing. There is also a lack of facilities, such as bike stands, in the CBD.
Above all, there is a lack of respect for cyclists and the fact that they do not deserve to die. But rather than work out how we could all share and solve transport issues, we seem set on making it hard to cycle here.