biking in singapore streets

[besito]

hi,

is biking allowed in singapore streets? I am thinking of using my bike to go to/from work. My work place is in Science Park near NUS, and I'll probably stay near the vicinity, maybe clementi, commonwealth or maybe close to holland village.

any help and/or info will be much appreciated.

tks!

[sundaymorningstaple]

It's allowed no problem. Provided you don't value your life.

You may want to think about it as the average local driver has absolutely zero spatial awareness, an overriding passion for changing lanes without signaling while talking on their handphones, any a deliberate mean streak in trying to squeeze or run bike riders off the roads.

Having said that, I am an avid cyclist as well but I no longer try the to work bit as it's just too hot & humid and in the evenings forget it. They don't know how to drive in the daylight, no way in hell I'd try riding at night.

Good luck.

[andy21]

'You may want to think about it as the average local driver has absolutely zero spatial awareness, an overriding passion for changing lanes without signaling while talking on their handphones, any a deliberate mean streak in trying to squeeze or run bike riders off the roads.'

Actually that applies to most cyclists here as well.

Wouldn't advise it either. More the weather though. You're gonna get to work all drenched in sweat, that's neither very nice nor comfortable.

[besito]

thanks for the advise sms and andy

there is a fitness center nearby where I can use the facilities... i.e. shower room, swimming pool, etc. so, weather and sweating is not a problem for me...but the risks...hhmmm...

if i can not use my bike to/from office, are there any bike trails around SG? At least to keep me fit during the weekend.

[road.not.taken]

Is it a road bike or a mountain bike? There is a mountain bike trail around Bukit Timah (but again, be careful, my friend broke both collar bones when a group of older, designer clad ladies refused to move (they were on the bike path!). He swerved and rolled down the mountain, bike attached.

Road bikes are another story, this is a tough place to ride, but getting better. The roads are in perfect condition, but the drivers are not used to bike traffic. Be very, very careful and don't assume anything.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Sounds familiar. I almost dumped mine in McRitchie Reservoir one day for a similar reason.

I have been squeezed off the road twice by SBS buses and clobbered by a 75 year old geezer in a 280 Merc who made a left turn without benefit of blinkers or for that matter even looking in his mirrors. Worse part is he also didn't hear the thump as he knocked my over. I caught him later at the Seletar Base Golf Course which is where I though he might be heading. Funny thing though when he checked out the left side of his white Merc with the Red paint/scratch down the left side of the car. Lot's of close calls but I don't even bother to count them. Only when I've actually been dumped/clobbered.

Actually they are very used to bikes here. Bikes have been here longer than the cars have. Matter of fact when I first got here 25 years ago, Bikes still had licenses (and plates). It's just that the vehicle driver don't care. They have the mentality that "roads are meant for motor vehicles" and because a bicycle only has a human motor it's doesn't count so therefore you shouldn't be on the road. Course the pedestrians don't like it when you ride on the sidewalks either (I don't blame them.) Recently the Gov't made it permissible for cyclists to ride on the pedestrian ways which I think is a bad mistake personally. Cyclists are irresponsible on the whole (I am not talking about the true cyclists but the typical kids/aunties/uncles) so neither are usually willing to budge for each other hence the problem. I will agree with r.n.t. that you should never assume anything when on a bike here.

[besito]

Thanks for all the info... rnt and sms... I have to very careful then.

Am using a mountain bike and would probably stick to biking trails off the road. I'll have to make sure my breaks are working well then... and watch out for those ladies...

Next question is, how do I bring my mountain bike to the trails that you mention? I don't think it will fit in the taxi. hhmm... maybe I have to use the road after all... and just be very very careful.

Cheers!

[micknlea]

Actually SMS it is not just that the motorists think that the road is made for cars, it sort of is.

The lanes on the majority of roads are narrow here and there is barely enough room for a car, leaving enough room and passing a cyclist can be near on impossible in heavy traffic.

There are quite a few bike paths around the island, but like everything else here you do have to share it with a large population on a small island so don't expect to travel at warp speed as there may be a granny or a toddler around the next bend.

[Forks]

I spent a pleasant afternoon riding around the back roads northwest of the Kranji resouvar, nice and quiet, nary a car in sight. Highly recommended.

take a map

[MandarinFish]

Aren't there places to ride in EC park?

[Loops]

it depends what kind of roads you're cycling on I reckon. I cycle on quiet roads but avoid the busy ones. If you can get to work on back streets then you could be OK.

I also cycle on the East Coast park which is ok but gets a bit boring after a while and I enjoy cycling on Pulau Ubin.

Besito, if you go to Pulau Ubin you can hire a bike there so no need to bring your own. Go to Changi Point and get a bumboat ($2 per person) and hire a bike on the island ($10-15 for a decent bike for the day)

[sundaymorningstaple]

As I've said, I've been riding bikes here for 25 years. Use to be I would do a half circuit of Singapore every sunday morning from 7 till around 2 or 3 pm (85-90Km). There is no place on this Island I haven't been on my old Iron Horse. The roads are plenty wide enough if you don't try to ride your bicycle in the middle of the road. But unlike other countries, there aren't any bike lanes here nor are all of the bike paths around the island connected seamlessly as of yet. Probably never will as bicycles are not a priority YET.

Let the oil prices hit 200/barrel though and watch it change in a hurry!

[Superglide]

Thanks for all the info... rnt and sms... I have to very careful then.

Am using a mountain bike and would probably stick to biking trails off the road. I'll have to make sure my breaks are working well then... and watch out for those ladies...

Next question is, how do I bring my mountain bike to the trails that you mention? I don't think it will fit in the taxi. hhmm... maybe I have to use the road after all... and just be very very careful.

Cheers!

Actually, your bike does fit in a cab, some may refuse, but most will do it for you, no prob.

I also did quite a few mountainbiking, when in Singapore, but only for the "fun", not for commuting to and from the office.

As said by others, be careful. And don't forget your sunlotion, seriously...

[besito]

Saw a guy in bike on the road last week when I was in Singapore.... I think drivers are not as bad... the biker passed by the left side of the taxi am riding and when he signals he is turning right... the taxi driver driving my cab slows down and let him pass. Although he maybe one of the few .

Do you know some bike shops in SG? My bike probably needs an overhaul before I start using it in SG.

cheers!

[sillingw]

there are many bike shops, some are even specific to the model (Trek) so you will not have a problem, when you know where you will live, ask again for one local to you