Cyclist Problem

[Royho1979]

U r juz like my dear fren, Scoot. I have no problem sharing my road riding experience. Instead, i got a rude response from you. [laugh]

 

I find riding on the road is dangerous and stupid. I see no reason to put my life on the line. Dun take it personally, I just happen to be pragmatic and logical.

[Royho1979]

Since he declined my offer to cycle on PCN, it means that whatever u r trying to say is juz an excuse to him. I think you should stop explaining to him. Instead, we should continue to invite him to cycle with us on Coastal rd PCN.

 

Pray tell how an experience there would possibly change my mind on my point that cyclist are ironic when they - who are unwilling to put up with slower pedestrian - ask for patience and tolerance for their activity on the road.

 

You invitation is frankly silly.

[Royho1979]

Because pedestrians on these paths are allowed to walk in any direction they want and some are just young children running around. Sometimes during those periods of times where there are very little pedestrians you'll notice that there are many people who will stand in the middle of the paths to do exercises and sometimes there are also groups of people standing on the path just to chat. How to overtake safely? As for cyclists on the roads most do keep to the left lane except when turning right. There are definitely a few black sheep who cycle diagonally across the roads or against traffic flow but most do keep to the left and follow the traffic flow right?

 

Do you see the parallel with your gripe with pedestrian exactly the same as driver's with cyclist? Anyway, I recognized cyclist rights and the law accomodate for that.

 

Bottomline, as a cyclist I am sure there are thousand of cars that passes you by with the 1.5m given and being respectful to your rights. However, there are a lot of kuku drivers in singapore, there is a safer option that cyclist esp at coastal road etc. Touch wood, if anything happen to you, wahever your reasons are, make sure when the reasons is read to your wife and children, they are able to accept that your condition is worth it. I wun pretend to know your family or other cyclists. Maybe everyone can understand how important being able to maintain 30km/h is, even at the cost of life.

[Terratoss]

Sometimes cyclist on the road just dont give a damn about other road users. They cycle there as if the road is clear without any other vehicles and it make driving aroun them even with 1.5m clearance a pain and dangerous. I think such road etiquette must go hand in hand, its not only the drivers but the cyclist as well.

[inlinesix]

I find riding on the road is dangerous and stupid. I see no reason to put my life on the line. Dun take it personally, I just happen to be pragmatic and logical.

Does that include motorcyclist?

[Nzy]

Do you see the parallel with your gripe with pedestrian exactly the same as driver's with cyclist? Anyway, I recognized cyclist rights and the law accomodate for that.

 

Bottomline, as a cyclist I am sure there are thousand of cars that passes you by with the 1.5m given and being respectful to your rights. However, there are a lot of kuku drivers in singapore, there is a safer option that cyclist esp at coastal road etc. Touch wood, if anything happen to you, wahever your reasons are, make sure when the reasons is read to your wife and children, they are able to accept that your condition is worth it. I wun pretend to know your family or other cyclists. Maybe everyone can understand how important being able to maintain 30km/h is, even at the cost of life.

 

Do you see cyclists cycling in circles in the middle of the road just like how some children run in circles in the middle of the pcn? Do you see cyclists stopping right in the middle of the road to chat? Don't think its the same as the situation on the PCN. Most cyclists only take up the left side of the road whereas pedestrians can be anywhere on the PCN.

 

Everyone understands the risk of cycling on the road. Who doesn't? Its just like a motorcycle. I don't think its anymore dangerous than riding a motorcycle on the road. When I was a teenager I remember my mum always telling me that if I want to save money then commute on the road by bicycle rather than motorcycle as its cheaper.

Edited July 23, 2012 by Nzy

[inlinesix]

Pray tell how an experience there would possibly change my mind on my point that cyclist are ironic when they - who are unwilling to put up with slower pedestrian - ask for patience and tolerance for their activity on the road.

 

You invitation is frankly silly.

Despite calling me stupid, i would still extend my invitation to u. I walk the talk.

 

 

[Taipan49]

Do you see cyclists cycling in circles in the middle of the road just like how some children run in circles in the middle of the pcn? Do you see cyclists stopping right in the middle of the road to chat? Don't think its the same as the situation on the PCN. Most cyclists only take up the left side of the road whereas pedestrians can be anywhere on the PCN.

 

Everyone understands the risk of cycling on the road. Who doesn't? Its just like a motorcycle. I don't think its anymore dangerous than riding a motorcycle on the road. When I was a teenager I remember my mum always telling me that if I want to save money then commute on the road by bicycle rather than motorcycle as its cheaper.

 

Probably the best analogy is this. Find any decent mall that is popular. Then try running in a perfectly straight line in the mall. Let's see how far you get before you run into somebody. This is what the PCN is like for cyclists on the weekends on the East Coast and during evenings/mornings.

[Kyojin]

Hi do anyone of you fell that the "Share the road 1.5m" is b-------t? Sick and tired of seeing cyclist cycling on the road and even expressway on nicholl highway before kpe entrance when they can use the pavement

 

They simply cycle in the left lane forcing cars to drift out of the left lane to siam them, some even more funny in the middle of the freaking lane, and some simply cycle left to right without even checking safety, endangering themself and the cars that siam them.

 

Why ah, why LTA approve these cyclist with no number plate, no road tax, no regard of safety? sometimes at night other places i can see cyclist in a group of maybe 10 occupying lane 2 and 3, forcing vehicle to drive on lane 1, their ah gong owns the road? TP bike ride past also bo chup maybe because they have helmets and cycling gears on... like that means can endanger themself and us???

 

Must really wait till someone get killed then take action? i can understand cycling as a hobby but can do it in a safe place so u can go home safely to your loved ones and we can also??

 

i don't think cyclists are the problem. it's the mentality of drivers. i'm a cyclist, a motorcyclist and driver. And i've got to say that I've seen my fair share of piss poor driving. it's selfish mentality like yours that makes roads dangerous for other road users.

 

i can't speak for other cyclists or motorcyclist, but when i do ride a bicycle, i will only cycle on the double yellow line. but even then, i've experienced many inconsiderate and dick-wart drivers coming a bit too close. there are times when i can even slap their windows. yes, it's that close. i've driven in many other countries and drivers everywhere else are more respectful of cyclists.

 

the same can't be said here.. it's the stupid mentality of "i paid road tax, coe, etc" that i've seen so many times even on this thread.

 

it all boils down to drivers' mentalities.

 

that said, two-wheelers also have to play their part in ensuring their own safety.

[Elfenstar]

... Everyone understands the risk of cycling on the road. Who doesn't? Its just like a motorcycle. I don't think its anymore dangerous than riding a motorcycle on the road. When I was a teenager I remember my mum always telling me that if I want to save money then commute on the road by bicycle rather than motorcycle as its cheaper...

 

If you look at the stats, its actually far safer to be a cyclist than motorcyclist

 

There's actually a pdf analysis on Cycling in Singapore on the NUS website. It states explicitly not to share the information contained or document without permission (as such I am complying, you're free to do a google search though :P).

 

After extrapolating from the information it contains, and combining it with the census data, an extremely conservative estimate of the number of cyclists (excluding work permit and employment pass holders) would put the number at about 100000 cyclists. Throw in the stats from lightbringers post and mine, and it may actually be safer to cycle than to drive as well.

Edited July 23, 2012 by Elfenstar

[Elfenstar]

Your invitation is declined. If the reason why you leisure cyclist choose to inconvenienced drivers is because you are inconvenienced, I dun need to experienced anything. I get your reasons absolutely.

 

Anyway, I made my point, which is to yank you guys from your pedestal and acknowledge that whatever reason you have to stands on a single leg -- selfishness. You put your life at risks and I hope whatever reasons (can't cycle fast, to keep fit..etc) you have is a good one that your love ones will nod and say "yep, its worth it"should anything happen.

 

I don't know what point you made other than its your selfishness that wants cyclists off the roads instead of wanting to give them the space we're entitled to share with each other

 

The fact remains that you can't conclusively say that its based on selfishness and/or convenience when you don't know what its like to cycle on the roads and PCN's. In fact to even say that cyclists are selfish is erroneous because most of us are happy to share the dedicated cycling/blading path at East Coast with pedestrians instead of whining and whinging about why they can't use the dedicated pedestrian pathway that's a few meters away.

 

You can't even conclusively say its all that risky when the the absolute figures for accidents and fatalities are higher by walking than cycling, not to mention you might as well say that motorcyclists shouldn't use the road as there is a disproportionately large number of accidents and fatalities from this demographic.

 

 

 

 

 

[Arixlim]

u can't speak for others cyclists, but u commented on the whole driver and biker style....i think u have to speak for all cyclists...then u will take charge for being educative for them...educate them pls

[Picia]

I find riding on the road is dangerous and stupid. I see no reason to put my life on the line. Dun take it personally, I just happen to be pragmatic and logical.

 

Maybe you need to go and visit cycling cities like Amsterdam or Melbourne to really understand. It's not just about the subgroup of stupid recreational cyclists who hog mutliple lanes or a single (and only) lane, refuse to stop for lights cars or anything to maintain their so-called "30kph". If you visit these cities you would find that cycling is a way of life and not just another means of transport, while drivers in these places (many who are also cyclists) mostly fully support the cyclists choice of vehicle. There are ways to reduce the risks like defensive cycling, rear view mirrors, etc. Of course, risks would never be totally eliminated and one would not be as safe as driving in a car, but that is gladly exchanged for the freedom and health benefits. But unless you have actually cycled or visited cycling cities it is a difficult concept for some to understand that cycling (on the road god forbid) could ever be enjoyable.

Edited July 23, 2012 by Picia

[Hotshot85]

Singapore roads are not cyclist friendly because all drivers have the mindset that the cyclists shouldn't be on the road. You don't see cars trying to overtake other cars with a small gap between them only right? They always move out to the next lane before overtaking isn't it? Drivers just need to adapt to sharing the road.

 

I beg to differ on this. If I judge that the gap is just nice for me to pass through or overtake, i will do so. I have a habit of driving on the "drain path" right next to a kerb to quickly pass a car that takes too long to filter to another lane.

[Nzy]

I beg to differ on this. If I judge that the gap is just nice for me to pass through or overtake, i will do so. I have a habit of driving on the "drain path" right next to a kerb to quickly pass a car that takes too long to filter to another lane.

 

You are probably one of the few reckless drivers on the roads that will do this and your car must be quite small to do this. Never said that all drivers overtake other cars safely. I meant most will overtake with ample space and not squeeze other cars off the road. Hardly encounter drivers who will do this except to cyclists and motorcyclists. As mentioned every group has their own black sheep. Just like there are also cyclists who won't follow the laws and cycle recklessly as well.

[Tonyng]

Maybe you need to go and visit cycling cities like Amsterdam or Melbourne to really understand. It's not just about the subgroup of stupid recreational cyclists who hog mutliple lanes or a single (and only) lane, refuse to stop for lights cars or anything to maintain their so-called "30kph". If you visit these cities you would find that cycling is a way of life and not just another means of transport, while drivers in these places (many who are also cyclists) mostly fully support the cyclists choice of vehicle. There are ways to reduce the risks like defensive cycling, rear view mirrors, etc. Of course, risks would never be totally eliminated and one would not be as safe as driving in a car, but that is gladly exchanged for the freedom and health benefits. But unless you have actually cycled or visited cycling cities it is a difficult concept for some to understand that cycling (on the road god forbid) could ever be enjoyable.

 

This is Singapore. Different history, different mindsets.

 

You want to transplant the system here.. Like replacing our national flower as tulip.

[Tonyng]

Does that include motorcyclist?

 

To me. Yes. But they pay road tax. So they get my respect.

[Tonyng]

Yes. You got it right. The amount is not important because everybody pays a different amount based on the size of their engines. It just happens that bicycles have no engines so they pay the least. That is why bicycles are still allowed on the roads.

 

Pay first. Amount can discuss.

 

Bicycles are on roads as cockroaches are in the house - drivers don't like and should the roads as unwelcoming as possible, before infestation builds.