Safe Commuting

When it comes to cycling there are road bikers, mountain bikers, and cruisers (commuters). All great riders and each have a specific purpose. Road bikes for long rides and racing while mountain bikes are for bit of extreme trail riding. But the talk in town is about commuters who use their bikes as transportation. My friends are converting old 10 speeds to fixed gear bikes, because last thing they want is to get stuck in the traffic while going to work downtown, or head to the store carrying a light load home, and cruise around the neighborhood shops and restaurants. Seeing the images of throngs of riders in Amsterdam and Copenhagen made me realize that these people had the right idea: the city (commuter) bike. I got myself a cheap fixie couple of weeks back and feel great every time I hop onto it.

But recently those 3 accidents which involve cyclists has raised the question of how safe is riding in Singapore? Motorists are frustrated with cyclists who road hog and switch lanes abruptly, often without regard for traffic behind them. The cyclists say motorists are impatient and often drive too close and too fast, especially when overtaking. My personal point of view is if both cyclists and motorists should practise good road ethics, accidents can be minimized. Commuters should give way to pedestrians and park their bicycles accordingly at designated parking areas.

Great news is that TAMPINES is set to become Singapore's first cycling town. The Tampines GRC MPs announced on Sunday that after a two-year trial to see if cyclists and pedestrians could share footways safely, cycling on footways will be allowed, starting 1 March 2010 (according to Strait Times).

~Chalith~