[PSA] To All Cyclists!

[IronMac]

Especially those racer types...you guys/gals are at an unfortunate confluence of being white and being a cyclist. Both of those are among the more loathed members of Singapore society at the moment.

Please do not make things worse by blatantly breaking the traffic laws by running red lights, cutting people off, riding side by side, etc.

It may not be such a big deal if you behave badly off the bike elsewhere with one or two other people. But, when you are out on the road, there are dozens of people who are watching what you are doing.

As for those Aussies/Brits who I admonished earlier in Punggol, no apologies, you were running the red and forcing me to scramble through a very short green.

[triste]

Just today I almost got run off the sidewalk by a local cyclist. I was carrying bags of groceries in both arms, and she wanted to speed down the center of the sidewalk instead of to one side. Why are there always comments about ang moh cyclists? Cyclists of every race on the sidewalk make it harder for pedestrians. And the racial intolerance here seems to get worse by the day.

[IronMac]

Why are there always comments about the ang moh cyclists?

Simply because they are more visible...both in the locals' eyes and in their minds.

[Travailes]

I can live with the hate ! I'm still alive to tell the tale. I'll jump a couple of red lights in certain dangerous locations - and by that I mean anticipate early the change to green - never running across a road showing a green. Why ? Every motorist does it anyway and most drivers are notoriously bad at cutting across you when they turn left. Don't get me started on buses and cabs just pulling over without indicating. You gotta be smart out there !
Just a bit of self defense really. The other thing I've noticed is how many cars drive at night with no lights. On an average night I must tell 1 or 2 drivers to light up.

[Sergei82]

The other thing I've noticed is how many cars drive at night with no lights. On an average night I must tell 1 or 2 drivers to light up.

At what time and location? That is the opposite to what I see.

[Barnsley]

The other thing I've noticed is how many cars drive at night with no lights. On an average night I must tell 1 or 2 drivers to light up.

At what time and location? That is the opposite to what I see.

Pasir Ris & Ubi Ave 3 ... Drivers not keen on putting the lights on at night.

Saving battery

[bgd]

The other thing I've noticed is how many cars drive at night with no lights. On an average night I must tell 1 or 2 drivers to light up.

At what time and location? That is the opposite to what I see.

Pasir Ris & Ubi Ave 3 ... Drivers not keen on putting the lights on at night.

Saving battery

I suspect these days it's more to do with modern car design. The dash is always lit and adjusts automatically. In a well lit city it can be hard to tell if you haven't turned on your lights when there is no visual indicator within the car.

In the past, I have it on good authority, locals would not turn on their lights to save their batteries.

[x9200]

I could understand "to save some fuel" but what the hell this has to do with saving the battery?
And yes, they don't switch it on and this is not because of the automation. The illumination level of the streets is surely below the auto limit.

[sundaymorningstaple]

bgd is absolutely correct. Absolutely no logic innit, but that what the old drivers think. I've asked that questions dozens of times 30 years ago, and it was always the same answer. Same thing with seesawing on the accelerator. They somehow though that by letting off of the accelerator pedal it saved them petrol. Never could explain it to them (no singlish).

[the lynx]

I have a question. We all know that cyclists are not allowed on sidewalks and they should be cycling on the road or on PCN provided.

So, if they have to cycle on the road, are they supposed to move like how other vehicles move? Like stopping at red light, staying within lane?

Cycling is one of the most confusing things about Singapore. Cyclists get cursed by both pedestrians and drivers, no matter where they cycle.

[the lynx]

Never mind, found the info I was looking for:

http://driving-in-singapore.spf.gov.sg/services/driving_in_singapore/services/cyclists.html

On Safe Cycling Equipment
Ride a bicycle that fits you
Always check that your bicycle is in good working condition and is properly maintained.
You must have a front white light and rear red light / reflector during hour of darkness

On Safe Cycling Attire
Wear a suitable protective bicycle helmet to safeguard yourself against head injuries should you fall.
Wear proper shoes and ensure they are tied properly.
Wear light-coloured clothing to enhance your visibility to other road users.

On Safe Cycling Behaviours (DOs)
Always keep to the left hand edge of the roadway.
Always obey traffic light signals. Be prepared to stop when approaching traffic light junctions when the traffic light turns amber. Cyclists must stop when the traffic light turns red.
Always dismount from your bicycle and ensure that it is safe to cross before crossing at traffic light junctions. Cyclists should practice the kerb drill too! Look right. Look Left. Look Right again!
Be considerate to pedestrians.
Give pedestrians advance warning as you approach them by ringing your bell.
Give sufficient hand signals to inform other road users of your intention to stop, slow down or when making a left or right turn. (You may refer to the Highway Code on the proper hand signals to make.)

On Safe Cycling Behaviours (DON’Ts)
Do not cycle more than two abreast in the same direction.
Do not cycle along the footway and on the expressways.
Do not cycle across pedestrian crossings and overhead bridges.
Do not cycle against the flow of traffic.

Most importantly, NEVER assume your right of way and always remain alert and road safety conscious while cycling on the roads. Keep a lookout for other road users.

Cycling with a Pillion Passenger
Pillion below the age of 12 years old must be seated in a properly constructed seat or carrier affixed to the pedal bicycle.

Using a Power-Assisted Bicycle
You must only ride a LTA-approved power-assisted bicycle. (Click HERE for more information concerning the requirements for power-assisted bicycles)
You must be at least 16 years of age to ride a power assisted bicycle.
No persons below the age of 16 years old shall be carried as a pillion passenger on a power-assisted bicycle.
You and your pillion passenger must wear a suitable protective bicycle helmet when riding a power-assisted bicycle.

And Road Traffic Act concerning cycling:
https://www.ntu.edu.sg/ohs/safetyforeveryone/Documents/Singapore%20Laws%20on%20Cycling.pdf

[bgd]

Are you going to venture onto Sg roads on a bicycle?

It's not as bad as everyone says.

[Barnsley]

Saw a couple of cyclists almost get killed at the Sports Hub on Sunday morning , some dick driving a car clearly doesn't understand when a cyclist is signalling right on a roundabout they are not exiting at the first exit on a roundabout ........

Instead the dimwit in the car floored it and just managed to get in between the 2nd and 3rd cyclists in a group of 4 as the 3rd cyclist had to slam their brakes on.

Why the driver couldnt understand the signal and just exit behind the cyclists I dont know.

[TandD]

I am a cyclist and confess to riding on pavements, but only when I feel it is unsafe to ride on the road with the children e,g East Coast Road, Changi/Geylang Road. etc. We live in the East Coast and ride regularly with my kids. We ride on the road when it is generally safe and PNC where there is a route. What I do find frustrating is when we ring our bell in good time (and we ALWAYS say thank you as we pass), 95% of the time people completely ignore it. Is there a reason this happens that I don't know about?

[JR8]

An everyday experience for me is (honestly, I see this every single day):

Me walking to the shops. People cycling on the pavements ringing their bells trying to drive me out of their way.
Cars driving after dark with no headlights on. Not just dusk, but at all hours after dark. Many cars, maybe 10%.
Electric bicycles. Maybe one person on, or one adult + child. No lights. No protective helmets. Sometimes doing maybe 25MPH on the road. This one makes me instinctively cringe...
People parked-up, hazard lights on, on double-yellow lines. This causes traffic to detour around, including buses.

Sometimes I look out upon these things from my unit, and reflect... 'Hmmm, I used to think this was a very law-abiding place. How curious that this is tolerated.'

[Not a whine. Just something I notice, and it still surprises me].

Edit/Add: - 7.15pm. Just been chilling on the balcony for 10 minutes, and I saw 3 of 4 above. All but the fly-parking this time...