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Geography is what most people understand to be the study of where countries are. That's why not knowing where a country is on a map will result in your friends saying, "Never study geography ah?" Of course, geography is deeper and more complex than just finding countries and cities on a map. It also involves studying a country's features such as mountains, lakes and rivers, and most importantly, peoples. We won't dive into all this. Instead, we'll get into how Singapore's geography determines its climate and how this in turn influences our lifestyle. Photo: Maarten Duineveld, Unsplash Swedish observation Singapore sits just above the equator, so you might say that our two most abundant resources are the sun and its heat. Anyway, during a work trip to Sweden some years ago, a fellow journalist and I noticed many locals doing a variety of outdoor sports. From cycling to running to tennis, it seemed like everyone had an active lifestyle. "It must be the weather. The climate is so cool that even I want to pick up a tennis racquet!" he remarked. As we drove along, I remembered my geography classes in school. How citizens of a country live - this is very much influenced by its climate. Obviously, Sweden is way up in the northern hemisphere and gets plenty of snow in the winter, which explains why it's a cold country. Indeed, it was cold for the first week of October, which was when the trip took place. I recall temperatures only reaching 12 degrees during the day, dropping to around 4 degrees Celsius at night. Walking, running and cycling would certainly feel shiok in this weather. The weather lately feels desert-like. Photo: Giorgio Parravicini, Unsplash Meanwhile, in the sweltering tropics... It's only going to get hotter in Singapore. Numerous temperature and UV warnings have been issued, and the wet and cool weather we enjoyed for a prolonged period last year has long departed. We can only hope it will visit again. Life doesn't stop just because it's hot. However, it also makes exercising outdoors - and being active in general - unappealing. Combined with high humidity, it's not uncommon to hear people complain that they're already sweating after walking to the bus stop below their block. If you're from a temperate country and have never been to the tropics, you probably think I'm exaggerating. Well, come to our corner of the world and feel for yourself. So, hot weather prevents us from exercising? Of course not. Many of us are quite outdoorsy and don't even mind getting tanned (but please apply sunscreen to mitigate skin damage). But the heat tends to make us lazy. Cooler weather makes commuting more comfortable, like these folks in Tokyo. Photo: Redd F, Unsplash Nobody wants to sweat while walking 10 minutes from the office to the hawker centre. So, we'll either drive there or get a private-hire ride. Nobody enjoys sweaty commutes requiring one to walk while transferring from air-conditioned buses and trains. Yes, yes, I know. First World problems. I think this 'problem' though, is one factor that prevents us from becoming fitter. Those of us who've holidayed in Tokyo during spring or fall know that you can easily clock 20,000 steps a day when you're there, probably without breaking a sweat. It must be why everyone there looks so slim. Cooler climes make it more comfortable to do such things. Tampines MRT station is less than 2km from my house, but if I started walking to it at 9am, I hope shower facilities appear in the office by the time I arrive. With cooler weather, more people would walk and cycle as well, since the impact to one's hygiene will be minimal. If commuting becomes pleasant, we might even drive less, thereby lowering emissions and our vehicle's running costs. Photo: Peijia Lee, Unsplash Will it really improve health? The optimistic answer to this is yes, cooler weather will make us more active and therefore, fitter. According to this HealthHub article, the crude prevalence of obesity among residents aged 18-74 years old is 10.5%. This is based on a 2019/2020 National Population Health Survey. But it's too simplistic to conclude that cooler weather will change lifestyle and health trends. Does everyone become healthier/fitter during the cooler and wetter periods? Based on casual observations and conversations, we actually end up eating and drinking more when the weather is cool. Mala hotpot, already a firm favourite, becomes even more irresistible then. Whisky seems 'less heaty' as well. In general, we tend to get hungrier and thirstier the colder we feel. It's all in the mind We can't change our geography, so we can only surmise that if we had a more temperate climate, we'd be more active. I don't think we need single-digit temperatures, but if our weather ranged between 15-20 degrees Celsius on average and humidity also averaged 60% instead of over 90%, a lot would change. Training in hot weather can help improve your cardiovascular fitness. Photo: Karsten Winegeart, Unsplash But would it make us fitter? That might be wishful thinking. Beyond lifestyle and dining habits, mindsets are the most difficult to change. Someone who only insists on high-cholesterol, high-sodium and sugar-heavy foods for every meal is unlikely to change their mind, no matter the weather, or impact to his or her health. I mention food because nutrition makes up a big part of the fitness equation. While exercising regularly (even with poor dietary habits) is better than not exercising at all, we all know that the key to better health is diet + exercise. That's never been a secret. To me, that means healthier choices from Mondays to Fridays, but indulging a bit on weekends. Being more willing to sweat it out will help as well. Instead of taking cover from the heat, I've learned (or convinced myself) to use it to improve my fitness. Hot weather is here to stay. It's our geography and we must do what humans do best: Adapt and thrive. - Jeremy

https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/cycling-tour-de-france-to-stage-criterium-race-in-singapore-on-oct-29-30 Cycling: Tour de France to stage criterium race in Singapore on Oct 29-30. A photo from Nov 16, 2019, shows riders competing during the Tour de France Shanghai Criterium cycling race. PHOTO: AFP PUBLISHED 28 JUN 2022, 0:06 PM SGT SINGAPORE - The Tour de France brand is whizzing to South-east Asia, and Singapore will be the first Asean country to host one of its post-tour criterium events. The Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium will take place on Oct 29 and 30 on a specially-designed street circuit in the heart of the city. Decorated British cyclist Mark Cavendish, an Olympic silver medallist and four-time world champion who holds the joint record for the most Tour de France stage wins (34), headlines 32 riders from eight of the world's best professional cycling teams that will feature here. It will be the first time the 37-year-old will cycle in the region, and the sprint great said: "Cycling has given me so much and is a great part of my life. It's a privilege for me to do what I love and I'm looking forward to getting out there and to share the adrenaline, excitement and fun that comes with criterium racing." The Tour de France is an annual men's race primarily held in France over 21 stages and 23 days, usually in July, and covers around 3,500km. In comparison, its criteriums are shorter events that are also held in other countries. In these events, riders do a pre-determined number of laps or race for 30 to 90 minutes around a closed circuit. The length of each lap ranges from 800m to 10km. Riders from each team will work together to set up their teammates for the win, and the race is won either through classification at the finish of the final lap or classification based on the number of laps covered and number of points obtained during the intermediate sprints. The Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium race weekend will comprise races for both professionals and amateurs and is expected to reach millions of viewers through a variety of international broadcasters. Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme said its criterium events allow cycling to be brought to uncharted territories, and Singapore was a "natural choice" because of its location, organisational capability and enthusiastic cycling community. He added: "The Tour de France Criterium is a cycling performance, showcasing the speed and intensity of cycling through a race on an inner-city circuit. "The criterium format allows us to bring an adaptation of the Tour to more places, while still retaining the essence and spirit of the Tour de France with top riders in the heart of the city." British cyclist Mark Cavendish (centre) crossing the finishing line and winning the 13th stage of the Tour de France in 2021. PHOTO: EPA-EFE Prudential Singapore chief executive officer Dennis Tan said it came on board as the title sponsor because cycling is an accessible and sustainable sport. He added: "As a leading life insurer, we want to support Singaporeans in leading healthier lifestyles, so we can all live well for longer. This sponsorship is a great opportunity to encourage people and families from all walks of life to bond while staying healthy and active." The event is supported by the Singapore Tourism Board and promoted by TEG Sport in conjunction with Evoke EXP. TEG group chief executive officer Geoff Jones welcomed cycling enthusiasts on board while Singapore Tourism Board chief executive officer Keith Tan felt the "premier sporting event reinforces Singapore's position as a leading destination for sports in the region". He said: "Cycling is an environmentally-friendly sport that is popular with locals and visitors, and events like this strongly align with Singapore's sustainability goals, as well as our ambition to be an urban wellness haven." More details of the Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium can be found on its website and its Facebook (@tdf.singapore) and Instagram (@tdf.sg) pages.

@inlinesix, start training liao bo? https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/cycling-220-registration-fee-for-amateur-races-at-tour-de-france-singapore-event-draws-mixed-reaction Cycling: $220 registration fee for amateur races at Tour de France Singapore event draws mixed reaction SINGAPORE - The registration fees for the amateur races in the inaugural Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium on Oct 29-30 drew mixed reactions from the local cycling community after they were announced on Thursday. Some thought the $220 price tag for the men's seniors and masters categories in the Amateur Criterium on Oct 30 was too steep while others felt the price, which includes a two-day event pass worth $118 and an event jersey valued at $180, was reasonable. Registration for both categories and other community rides is open. Riders in the seniors category (aged 19 to 34) take part in a 24.8km race, while those in the masters category (aged 35 and above) will participate in an 18.6km race. A local cycling enthusiast, who did not wish to be named, was initially thrilled about the event but is now turned off by the price and will not be attending. The 43-year-old, who has been cycling for 30 years, called the price absurd, noting that local races typically cost between $60 and $100. His last race was the SportsHub Sports Series: Cycle For Hope 2022 in August that cost $80. He said: "To pay $220 for this event, and at a time when the whole world is going through inflation and financial uncertainties, is a little hard for me to digest. It's too high for a one-day race which is less than 50km. "I was very excited when I heard the race was coming to Singapore with the Tour de France riders. But when I heard of the entry fee, I'm no longer excited but disappointed." In contrast, avid cyclist Lukman Nurhakim Noordin has already signed up for the masters race and is eager to try the route for the first time. While he thinks the price is reasonable after taking into account the two-day pass, he understands that others, especially younger cyclists who are not financially independent, might be unable to afford it. The 42-year-old teacher said: "There might be racers who are only interested in racing and not watching the event, who will feel that it's still on the steep side. "For passionate racers like me, this opportunity to race is hard to pass up and we are willing to pay the premium for it. "Racing opportunities in Singapore are hard to come by. When there is a race, riders will sign up for it just because of their passion for road racing. The fact that it will be held in the city centre is a chance not to be missed." He is also looking forward to using his pass to catch world-class cyclists, like 2022 Tour de France winner Jonas Vingegaard, up close. He added: "We watch them on TV, but being able to see them zoom past you at high speed is another kind of thrill." The races, along with other community rides, will take place along a 3.1km route in the city that passes landmarks like the Merlion and Esplanade before ending at The Float @ Marina Bay. This is the first Tour de France criterium to be held in South-east Asia after similar events in China and Japan. The Singapore edition will feature 32 riders from eight professional cycling teams, including British Olympic silver medallist Mark Cavendish, who holds the joint record of 34 for most Tour de France stage wins. Avid cyclists can also be part of the event by joining other community rides such as the Pruride Seeker's Society which includes a cycling clinic and the Absolute Cycle Race, where participants will attempt to clock the furthest distance in 10 minutes on a stationary bike. For more information, visit this website.

Time and time again, we hear of the age-old strife and conflict that other road users have with cyclists, who are colloquially referred to as “kings of the road” (sarcasm, by the way!) or acting as if they are riding on their “grandfather’s road” ... But this video really shows it all--- walao eh! I wasn’t there to see it in person, but had I been, I would have been fuming as well. The whole scene is one of immense inconsideration and recklessness. You can see what I mean in this video below. The cyclist in red was riding so dangerously close to the bus, he even took a hand off his bike to stretch an arm against the glass, who knows, maybe to steady himself. But isn't that even more dangerous? He would definitely have less control over his bicycle like that. Not only that, one of the many rules we know as drivers is to stay away from bigger vehicles on the road. What a fearless fellow. We shudder to think of all the possible scenarios. We also saw how the cyclists crowded in the close vicinity of the bus, forcing the captain to slow down. At one point, they took up the lane that would allow buses to segue seamlessly to their respective bus stops. Sure, it may not be the bus lane timing... but mindfulness towards others should be constant throughout the day... Wow... Look how dangerously close he is in front of the bus... It's insane to think that even as an advanced first-world country with many rules and laws, we have third-world citizens that refuse to abide by them--- causing trouble and bringing hazard to our roads. Even the taxi had to slow down as he was being surrounded by the cyclists that spread across the other lanes. Stop this, I say! Last but not least, it should be noted that this mass ride was seemingly organised by a local Instagram group: According to the Ministry of Transport, from the 1st of January 2022, "those cycling on roads will have to keep to groups no greater than five bicycles in length, roughly the length of a bus", and that this "new rule means cycling groups on roads will be capped at five riders in single file, or 10 if cycling two abreast". This is blatant flouting of the law. They're lucky they haven't been caught and fined a $150 apiece. That sum could easily fill a tank of gas and buy us a few plates of chicken rice! It is rather shocking, and very disappointing to see. We hope that these cyclists learn to be more considerate when sharing the roads as such displays paint cyclists in a bad light on a whole and will tarnish the image of cyclists who are respectful and reasonable. What do you all think? Have you ever experienced a great flood of cyclists before? We bet it must have felt infuriating! ======== Be the first to get the latest road/ COE news and get first dibs on exclusive promos and giveaways in our Telegram SGCM Community. Join us today!

https://www.nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature/park-connector-network/round-island-route https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/75km-long-first-phase-round-island-route-opens-2452431 75km-long first phase of Round Island Route opens Changi Bay Point, located along the 75km eastern stretch of the Round Island Route. (Photo: CNA/Jeremy Long) Vanessa Lim 22 Jan 2022 11:01AM (Updated: 22 Jan 2022 11:46AM) Bookmark Share SINGAPORE: The eastern half of the Round Island Route - an upcoming 150km-long recreational connection which goes around Singapore – is now open, the National Parks Board (NParks) said on Saturday (Jan 22). Stretching from Rower’s Bay Park in Seletar to Berlayer Creek near Labrador Park, the 75-km long green corridor is the first phase of the Round Island Route. Advertisement First announced in 2012, the Round Island Route will be the longest recreational connection that loops the island when completed. It is also part of NParks’ overall plans to curate a 360km islandwide network of recreational routes, consisting of eight different trails, by 2035. The route will connect existing natural, cultural, historical and recreational sites, as well as provide opportunities for recreational activities including cycling, walking and skating. “This will expand and enhance connectivity across Singapore and provide opportunities for the community to explore our parks and nature areas, as well as walk or cycle in natural spaces,” said NParks. To commemorate the opening of the park connector on Saturday, Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies Heng Swee Keat, together with Second Minister for National Development and Finance Indranee Rajah, and Advisor for East Coast GRC, Dr Maliki Osman, visited the new park connector and planted saplings of two native coastal plants. The eastern stretch boasts several features including marine tiles along the coast which provides habitats for marine life. Advertisement With a combination of crevices, grooves and pits, the tiles are ideal for supporting marine life, such as crabs, snails and starfish, allowing marine biodiversity to thrive. Besides this, visitors to the eastern stretch can also look forward to scenic boardwalks along the coast and look out points at Changi Bay Point and Sengkang Riverside Park. Around 5,100 trees and shrubs have been planted along the Round Island Route eastern stretch to provide visitors with shade and respite from the heat, as well as provide food and shelter for native biodiversity. These include native coastal and riverine tree species, such as penaga laut and small-leaved nutmeg. There are also rest stops along the way, with nodes at Changi Bay Point, Sengkang Riverside Park and Jalan Kayu. These nodes will come with shelters with solar-powered charging points, bicycle parking lots and toilets. The eastern half was initially scheduled to be completed by 2021, however, factors including weather conditions and disruptions due to COVID-19 caused delays, said NParks.

An unamused driver catches a large school of over 50 cyclists hogging the roads during the early morning hours. The video starts with footage of the cam car driving alongside the large group on Clementi Road, accompanied by funky TikTok music. While most of the cyclists kept to the left lane, there were a few outliers on the main road. Frustrated, the driver repeatedly honks at the outlying cyclists as he overtakes the group and switches into the left lane. The rest of the video shows the driver tagging behind two cyclists at the very front of the group. What are the current COVID-19 regulations for cyclists? The video featured a screenshot of the current regulations from the Singapore Cycling Foundation (SCF). According to the SCF, cyclists are allowed to travel in groups of 5 from November 22. If there are more than 5 cyclists, they should keep a distance of 3 meters between groups at all times. Intermingling between groups before, during or after the activity is not allowed as well. While the SCF allows for mass cycling events to occur during this period, it will require an endorsement by Sport Singapore before being conducted. Organisers have to apply at least 14 days before the event for approval and modifications, if necessary. LTA's 2022 cycling regulations According to Channel News Asia, those cycling on the roads from Jan 1, 2022, will have to keep to groups no greater than five bicycles in length, roughly the length of a bus. The new rule means cycling groups on roads will be capped at five riders in single file, or 10 if cycling two abreast. This new regulation is put in place due to the space constraints on Singapore's urban road network. Netizens' reactions After watching this video, most netizens were far from amused by the government's lack of action towards cyclists and other individuals flouting the current regulations. ======== Receive a $10 PayNow transfer for every submission we publish on Facebook! Simply WhatsApp us ➡️ https://bit.ly/3c6JERA

The Review On 1 October 2021, a government panel, Active Mobility Advisory Panel (AMAP), has produced a set of recommendations to review regulations to enhance road safety. The recommendations consist of the following rules and guidelines: To continue allowing cyclists to ride abreast in a maximum of 2 on roads with two or more lanes. Introduce a rule for on-road cycling groups, for them to limit their group length to 5 bicycles. Essentially, this means a limit of five cyclists in a single file or ten cyclists when riding abreast. Introduce a guideline to ensure a safe distance of 2 lamp posts (30 metres) between riding groups. Introduce a guideline in the Highway Code and driving test handbooks that require motorists to have a minimum passing distance of 1.5 metres when passing cyclists. Highly encourage cyclists to sign up for third-party liability insurance. When involved in an accident, third-party insurance will compensate for victims and protect cyclists from potentially expensive claims. Source: https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/dam/ltagov/getting_around/active_mobility/rules_public_education/rules_code_of_conduct/pdf/2021-10_amap_report_for_the_review_of_on-road_safety.pdf My Two Cents After reading the recommended rules and guidelines, certain thoughts came to my mind: For recommendations 1 – 3, is there a point behind it? After all, what is the point if cyclists don’t adhere to these recommendations? Unless they are caught in the act of flouting these rules and guidelines, matters will remain the status quo. Besides, recommendations 1 – 3 will only be effective when proper enforcement is present. And this, unfortunately, is a hard nut to crack. Recommendation 4 will be only and most effective when implemented – but why? Well, it is pretty simple. It is easier to take enforcement actions against motorists than cyclists, as motorists must be licensed and officially registered with government bodies. Hence, it makes motorists more accountable for any actions committed by them. Lastly, recommendation 5 is the most perplexing recommendation of them all. Considering a significant number of citizens have no insurance coverage, the tendency to take up third-party liability insurance for cycling is going to be pretty damn low too. Conclusion Nothing spells ineffectiveness more than this proposed set of recommendations, which practically solves none of the issues at hand. Instead, the proposed recommendation aims to tackle every other matter, except that one crucial matter – Holding cyclists accountable for their actions. Netizens' Comments This basically summarises all the issues at hand. --- Thinking of selling your car? sgCarMart Quotz guarantees the highest selling price for your car. We’ll even give you $100 cash if you find a better offer elsewhere! Get a free quote to find out how much your car is worth today!

The conflict between motorists and cyclists never ends. Every time it happens, a dashcam video emerges on the internet for us to spectate the drama between them. Here's one such video that occurred over the weekend. Where? The incident occurred at Kranji dam, along Kranji Way, which is a two-lane road. It seems as if Tour de Singapore is the favourite pastime of Singaporeans these days and it's commonplace to see big groups of cyclists on the road nowadays (as though the pandemic is already over). Road regulation reminder for cyclists Cycling abreast is allowed, but only on roads with more than one lane in the same direction. Below is an example where cyclists are allowed to cycle abreast. In this case, cycling abreast is prohibited since Kranji Way is a two-lane road going in opposite directions. Increasing the number of cyclists does not mean you can flout the regulations. Don't give me that 'strength in numbers' bull crap. The Van Driver The van driver was obviously feeling a tad bit frustrated from the road hogging of the entire kampong of cyclists. As such, he took matters into his own hands by crossing the double white lines to go against the traffic flow to dangerously overtake (but failed) the group of cyclists. That's three offences committed within quick succession of one another – The perfect formula to getting your license suspended or revoked. Netizens' Comments Straight facts. They are undoubtedly the cause of the incident. Maybe next time the cyclist should 'ownself check ownself' before posting the video online. Unpopular opinion edition. I guess you could say that... --- Thinking of selling your car? sgCarMart Quotz guarantees the highest selling price for your car. We’ll even give you $100 cash if you find a better offer elsewhere! Get a free quote to find out how much your car is worth today!

The pileup happened on last Saturday, the opening day of the Tour de France. This year's tour runs from Brest, in northern France, to Paris, a 3,414 Km race over 21 days. Day 1 had the athletes cycling from Brest to Landerneau, a 198 Km course. Midway through the race, however, disaster struck. An enthusiastic spectator, keen to show off her sign to a nearby camera, rushed near the track and extended the sign out. Her back was to the cyclists, and as such didn't notice their rapid approach. Her cardboard sign knocked Germany cyclist Tony Martin off balance slightly. Because of how tightly all the bikers were packed into the narrow track, that was enough to send him falling. An insane pileup ensued. The spectator's sign read: "Go, grandpa and grandma!" Cyclist Tony Martin crashed through the spectator's cardboard sign held in his path, causing him to lose balance. He fell on his bike, causing a catastrophic pile-up amid the world's biggest cycling race. Several athletes were injured, and one had to leave the tour altogether. Tour de France's deputy director, Pierre-Yves Thouault, told AFP that the organization would sue the woman who inadvertently caused the crash. The only issue? She fled the scene and is still at large!

Here's something that happened in Fernvale you have to see. According to this minute-long dashcam footage, on 2nd May 2021 at 8:51pm, a driver is seen turning left into Fernvale Link and stopping at the last minute when he realised that there was an oncoming cyclist at the zebra crossing. Despite giving way to him, the cyclist glares at the driver, stops in the middle of the zebra crossing and gets off his bicycle to hurl vulgarities at the driver (we presume according to his aggressive gestures). The poor driver waits for him to finish before completing the left turn and continuing his journey. After watching this video, my heart goes out to the driver as I understand the pains of driving at night. Firstly, it's already dark so it's harder to notice pedestrians and cyclists from afar. Then, there's the issue of the cyclist not having a front light and wearing dark clothing, which makes him harder to spot. Lastly, even when the driver stopped in time, he still kena scolded. Netizens have also taken to the comments to defend the driver and flame the cyclist: With one guy even suggesting that the driver should have just continued driving: What do you guys think? Is the driver in the wrong or is the cyclist just another 'entitled loudmouth'?

Hi guys, we have more trouble-making cyclists to report. Uploaded on SG Road Vigilante's page is an incident between a cyclist and a SMRT taxi on 7th of Feb 2021 at around 2pm along Kallang road. All was well until the taxi driver wanted to turn into Crawford Street but realised that two cyclists was in his way. Realising that the cyclists wasn't going to give way, the taxi slowed down and slotted himself behind the cyclists before turning left. However, it seemed that one of the cyclist felt that the taxi driver had endangered his life when the taxi made his first move to filter left and proceeded to chase the taxi. We have no idea why he would do that. Did he think that he could chase the taxi and stop him with his bicycle? That is putting aside the fact that the taxi already gave way to him anyway. We pity the friend who was abandoned due to the cyclist's impulsive rage and it was no surprise that netizens flamed the cyclist's actions big time...

I remember one of the happiest and most exciting time when I was a kid was when my parents bring us cycling at East Coast Park on weekends. The rush of speed and sense of adventure that the 2 wheels can bring. Nearly 4 decades later, I finally got myself a bicycle and it has been another adventure on 2 wheels for the last few months. First I rode around the estate, then to the next estate. 10km became 20km. 20 became 40. Before I knew it, I wanted to do a round the island. And round the island I did, alone, with my bicycle. It's about 125km if u ask. This article, I wish to provide some basic information to anyone who is interested in getting their first bicycle after a long long time and getting on the road to anywhere. I am not an expert but I have done some kilometeres on my bicycle the last few months. There are a wealth of information on bicycle and cycling by experts and people who knows much more on the net. I am sharing my personal experience of starting off on the bike for someone who started with zero knowledge. 1) Type of Bicycle Depending on who you ask, buying a bicycle can be as easy as buying an apple from NTUC or as complicated as buying a car. I will keep it simple here. Get a Hybrid. With all the different classifications of bikes, it seems a daunting task to choose one that suits your need. Thinking we are clever, we go google. Head explodes. Let me make it simple. Most of us will be planning to ride on the PCN, around the estate, try to stay off the road, on the pavement, sometimes on the grass patch. A hybrid is all you need. It is versatile and basic for beginners. You might want to move on to more specific types later on depending on your interest. Most people tends to gravitate towards Mountain Bike because they think it is the one bike fits all solution. It is not wrong but the way I see it, a hybrid makes more sense for beginner cyclist in SG. Everything else being equal, a hybrid is easier to ride with it's slimmer tyres and upright position. Tyre width of 32-40mm seems to be a good trade off between comfort and rolling resistant for a beginner. Most of the hybrids are 700c diameter. Which is sort of equilvalent to 29". 2) Brand / Price (it is not THAT expensive) After getting your first bike, there are 2 ways this could go. If you liked it, this will not be your last bike. If you don't like it, this will be your last bike. What I want to say is don't overspend on the first bike. You can pick up a Hybrid from NTUC and GIANT(the supermarket) for less than $300. I wouldn't advise. There are many affordable hybrids from reputable brands such as TREK, POLYGON, GIANT(not the supermarket), MERIDA etc. They will do bike fitting for you and some basic set up. You could get a very decent (but basic) bike for less than $1k. I am riding a Polygon Heist 2 which cost less than $600. You can see it here http://www.mycarforum.com/topic/2705946-got-bicycle-will-travel/?p=6202970. I linked the OZ website because it has more details. SG dealer's website http://store.rodalink.com.sg/2016-heist-2.0-26/ Notice I don't talk much about bike weight. Many purists will see it as an important criteria. Even the ignorant will echo this sentiment. Light weight is good, if u intend to go really fast and far. For every Kg shaved, the cost goes up exponentially. Most of the bikes mentioned afore is in the range of 12-14kg. Not exactly light. I dun want to sound rude but with the rider, most of the weight penalty is the rider. In a way, a heavier bike makes u push harder thus losing the KGs faster. One stone, 2 birds. 3) Components The key word among enthuaist, professionals And the show-offs. Shimano, Shimano and more Shimanos. I have no doubts these are critical. But for a beginner, keep it simple. Entry level components will do the trick. 4) Accessories 2 words - 淘宝. Lights, bags, bells, bottle cages. Search 自行车, thats what they call it in China. Front lights - You can generalize under 2 categories a) To be seen - Increases your visibilty to other road users. Preferably blinking. Usually lower powered and small. B) To see ahead - This is where u start talking serious lumens. I dun recommend to get from taobao as my experience is that their power source is still unreliable. We dun really need a powerful front beam in SG riding but I need to admit I have a fetish for flashlights. A good flash light with high output, endurance and linear delivery will set u back $120 - $200. I am using a Bontrager 700 lumens. I like overkill. Frankly, 100lumens is sufficient for general riding in SG. Really. Back light - As a driver, I hate low vis cyclist. So I have at least 2 rear lights. Flashing to increase visibilty and non-flashing for others to easier judge my speed and path. I have another smaller one on my helmet as it is the highest point and most visible from far. Bike Computer - Not necessary but I like numbers. Cateye Velo wireless is a simple and robust unit. About $50+ including set up and installation. 5) Attire PT kit. Avoid shorts with too loose crotch as it can get caught on the seat front. Leave the spandex, clip ons to the professionals. You are not going that fast and far yet. Other than Taobao, Decathlon is a good place to pick up those stuffs. Helmet, glove, padded pants etc. Wear bright clothings, that is common sense. It gives you the excuse to wear that gaudy orange Tee or that shocking pink top you always wanted to release your inner Ah Lian. 6) Storage and Transport Again Taobao. Free standing bicycle racks. I have a pole mounted stand for 2 bikes. For transport, Saris bike rear bike rack. After some practics, i can mount the rack and 2 bikes with my missus in 6.5 minutes. Yes, bicycles can be a hassle to store in our pigeon hole but that is the way it is. 7) Make a plan, go somewhere. I live in Sembawang. Everywhere is far. It is no fun cycling in circles. I made plans to go somewhere. Semabwang beach - Yishun - Woodlands waterfront - Coney Island - Changi Village. Each time further, looping back via East Coast and town. Go somewhere, eat something. You will be surprised how much more u see on 2 wheels. 8) and finally, be safe and ride safe. Here are some of the latest guideline from the Gov. https://www.gov.sg/factually/content/how-are-we-keeping-our-footpaths-cycling-paths-and-roads-safe http://www.todayonline.com/lifestyle/laws-cyclists-ought-know Eventually, you might get on the road. It is faster and in a way, safer on certain stretches. Ride like the way you would want other riders to be when you drive. I hope all this will make it easier to get started on cycling for someone looking to do it. The main thing here is not to overthink about the bicycle and stuffs but to just get a bike and cycle the shit out of it. From there on, it will be another journey of discovery to your next bike.

We all know cyclists should cycle on either the PCN or on the roads. But being on the road can be dangerous for cyclists who don't know how to look out for themselves as we can see in the video posted by SG Road Vigilante on the 28th of October. Shot in the morning by a camera car on Clemenceau Ave, the cyclist could be seen changing lanes to the right without checking for traffic coming up from the right. Unfortunately, a Comfort taxi did really come up on the right at a good speed and just barely managed to avoid knocking him down. That said, the taxi's wing mirror did knock the cyclist off balance, causing him to fall. Do you think cyclists who wish to cycle on the road ought to undergo the Basic Theory Test at a minimum? We highly think so. Let us know if you agree with us or not in the comments section! https://fb.watch/1rcEp62JAl/

Our Circuit Breaker measures sure bring up quite a few weird incidents. I mean why would you even cycle in an expressway tunnel? As seen on ROAD.sg's website, it did seemed like someone cycled along our Marina Coastal Expressway on the 9th of April and was stopped by a Special Operation Command Police vehicle. As uncommon as it is to see a cyclist on an expressway, it is even rarer to see someone from the SOC stop a traffic offender as it is not part of their job scope. Kudos to the fellas for going the extra mile! Even netizens on the facebook page were also grateful to police force! videoplayback.mp4

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/cyclists-welcome-dedicated-cycling-lane-on-extended-tanah-merah-8784944 LTA has opened a new 10km stretch at Tanah Merah Coast Road with a new feature which is the first in SG: on-road cycling lanes, 2m wide and supposed to cater to serious speed cyclists. Cyclists are happy but this actually poses a safety risk to both cyclists and motorists alike. I drive along this road every day, and I have encountered a few times at cross-junctions and T-junctions where both the cyclist and motorist think they have the right of way, and there is a near-miss. Motorists are supposed to stop on the outermost vehicle lane and not inside the cycling lane if there is a need to stop the vehicle, however most vehicles still stop within the cycling lane in order not to obstruct traffic. This in turn poses a safety risk to the speed cyclists who may be bending down and may not be able to stop in time to avoid collision with the stopped vehicle. This stretch of road is also frequented by large trucks and heavy vehicles, which adds to the risk due to the truck height and bigger blind spots. My view is that our motorists and cyclists should be briefed or given some guidelines on the usage of the new feature, such as the one in the link below. Not sure if the latest Basic or Advanced Theory Test has included this new feature? https://movehappy.sg/tanah-merah-coast-road-cycling-lane/ Any thoughts are welcome.

Interesting that we give different result to Eunomia, the environmental consultancy https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2017/12/germany-recycles-more-than-any-other-country

Singapore is working towards becoming a bike-friendly city. If you happen to pass by places such as Punggol Park or East Coast Park, you will see many cyclists, even some with their own group jerseys. Joining a cycling group is also a way to widen your circle of friends and to share the passion of cycling with others. Cycling is an environmentally friendly mode of transport that is increasingly popular in Singapore, especially for short trips - as part of the daily commute to work, to the MRT station or bus interchange, or for intra-town travel. Besides being economical and convenient, cycling also offers many health benefits, bringing riders closer to nature and the outdoors. While there are many low cost bicycles available in Singapore, Louis Garneau bicycles offer more value and quality. Louis Garneau Bicycles and their advantages Anyone can find their perfect bicycle with Louis Garneau as it offers a wide range of bicycles such as road bikes, mountain bikes, mini-velos, folding bikes as well as children bikes. Those looking for more performance can also consider its range of carbon frames. The Canadian bike manufacturer brings the best in quality and materials with great bike frame geometry to maximise its riders' athletic performance either on the road or off the beaten track. All its bicycles from children bikes onwards are made from quality aluminium and equipped with components such as transmission and brakes of higher-level bicycles. While retaining their performance heritage, Louis Garneau bicycles place the rider in a comfortable position for even greater and better peripheral vision. Agile yet confidence-inspiring handling is well-suited for a vast number of uses, from fitness training to weekend leisure rides and commuting to and from work. Louis Garneau Louis Garneau is not a greenhorn to the industry and its bicycles have been around for some 15 years now. It also provides cycling equipment to several professional cycling teams around the globe, and this year, the Garneau-Quebecor UCI Continental team will be racing on them. Louis Garneau began his company in 1983 making custom cycling clothing with his wife in a garage. The Canadian brand now does business all over the world, and has since expanded into all manner of products, from helmets and shoes to complete bikes and accessories. It is also the second largest bicycle brand in Japan, with around 1.2 million bikes manufactured every year. Louis Garneau is distributed by Trimen Ventures Pte Ltd in Singapore and its range of products can be found at the following authorised retailers: 1) Bikelink2 Pte Ltd 11 Woodlands Close, Woodlands 11 #01-21, Singapore 737853 Tel: 6694 4733 2) T3 Bicycle Gears Pte Ltd 79 Upper East Coast Road, Singapore 455219 Tel: 6441 6828 3) T3 Bicycle Gears Pte Ltd 805 Bukit Timah Road, #01-06 Sixth Avenue Centre, Singapore 279883 Tel: 6468 5606 4) Wheeler's Yard 28 Lor Ampas, Singapore 328781 Tel: 6254 9128

Pupils of a primary school in Sengkang chain their bicycles to railings as they are not allowed to park them in the school. Such attitudes need to change so people are encouraged to use bicycles for transport. More than 500 cities in the world have bicycle-sharing schemes. Singapore is not among them. Although the Government announced bold plans last month to build a staggering 700km of cycling paths by 2030 - the equivalent of cycling from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur and back - that alone will not make Singapore a cycling city. We have fallen behind other cities that actively promote cycling as a mode of transport. There are various reasons why we should pedal hard to catch up. Cycling is a green option that can be an efficient people-mover for transport planners. Source: http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/singapore-still-lacks-the-ride-stuff-20131109

Good idea, can avoid cycling under the noon sun. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUxyiT8GAxI

I have to increase my running mileage to be the handsomest guy. But my wife complain I run too much already, can't she see the change in my looks, supported by scientific study. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2551952/Study-Tour-France-cyclists-finds-good-looking-men-did-better.html http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/06/sports/cycling/cycling-study-says-hearts-race-with-the-riders.html?_r=0

How do u feel when u come across above in a mall regardless of the human traffic? Do u think it is ok to allow ur kids to do it? If u allow, did u consider the hazard ur kid pose to others?? Lastly, wld u broach this to the parent who allow if u encounter it?

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/colombian-womens-cycling-team-causes-stir-with-unfortunate-naked-jersey-design-9732037.html It looks rude.

Events in recent years have underscored the need for Singapore to ramp up its transport infrastructure, as well as to rejuvenate what has already been built. Overcrowded trains and buses, long and unpredictable waiting times, and glitches in the rail system have been top grouses since as early as 2004. It did not help that Singapore's population grew by more than 30 per cent in the last decade to hit 5.4 million last year. Public transport ridership soared by more than 50 per cent over the same period to 6.36 million trips a day. Meanwhile, two major rail breakdowns in December 2011 brought into sharp focus the need for infrastructural upkeep on the back of fast-rising usage demand. The Government has responded fairly swiftly. But experts say a sustainable solution to managing public transport demand also needs measures such as increasing flexi-work arrangements, telecommuting or decentralised office hubs. On the capacity front, the Government is setting aside an estimated $2 billion to replace ageing parts in all the major rail lines together with rail operators. It is also in the process of rolling out a bus service enhancement programme - likely to cost in excess of $1.1 billion - which will boost fleet size by 20 per cent. And in January last year, it announced a slew of new lines that will grow Singapore's rail network to 360km - double its current length. This is on top of $60 billion of investments in place for ongoing projects such as the Downtown and Thomson lines. In all, transport-related projects may cost more than $150 billion. This is more than 40 per cent of Singapore's total foreign reserves last year, and seven times the 20-year transport infrastructure spending envisioned by a White Paper released in 1996. By any measure, it is a highly ambitious programme. The question is, will it be economically sustainable to go on ramping up capacity this way? This is especially when capacity is often designed to cater to peak demand, which is usually less than two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening. Hence such a network tends to be "underutilised" for the rest of the day. Average bus occupation, for instance, is only 20 per cent. Transport experts have thus called for other measures such as promoting flexible working hours and telecommuting. Attempts to stagger working hours were made back in the early 1970s to ease traffic congestion. But the campaign never did gain much traction. According to a study published by the Manpower Ministry in 2001, flexi-time was practised by only 0.3 per cent of all private-sector employees. Telecommuting was even more uncommon, with a participation rate of merely 0.1 per cent. And those who work entirely from home accounted for just 0.01 per cent of employees. While more current figures are not readily available, there are signs that flexi-time is still not widely accepted. Last June, the Transport Ministry launched a year-long free-tra-vel initiative to encourage commuters to travel just before the morning peak, following a Travel Smart initiative rolled out in October 2012 to persuade people to shift their peak-hour travel time by 15 minutes. Response was encouraging initially, with around 9 per cent of peak-hour commuters travelling earlier. But this has since fallen to 6 to 7 per cent. Certainly, the scheme has potential for improvement - perhaps even without additional tax spending (the year-long free tra-vel initiative costs $10 million). In 2004, a study by the UK Strategic Rail Authority found that train overcrowding can be eased substantially by widening the differential between peak and off-peak fares. This means giving off-peak fare discounts or wai-vers, as well as raising peak-pe-riod fares. Not only does this help the operator maintain financial viability, but the shift of peak demand also reduces the financial burden of having to run additional trains during peak hour. Analysts suggest the savings here would more than cover the cost of providing free fares. However, adjunct Professor Paul Barter, who teaches transport policy at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, says there are limits to what flexi-time arrangements can do to flatten peak travel volumes. This is because there is "dynamic tension" between two things that people want: a regular schedule that gives them fixed times at home or with friends, and more comfortable travel. Because of this tension, people will modify travel patterns "even without the Government doing anything". And if there is less overcrowding during the peak period because some commuters have altered their travelling time, others will move in to fill the space freed up. Prof Barter, however, notes that flexi-time can contribute to shorter peaks, which range from "five to 10 minutes in Canberra to three to four hours in Jakarta". Also, if people were free to adjust their travelling time, "they would complain less", he said. He feels that many employers in Singapore "are more rigid than they need to be" in this respect. Indeed, a survey by the Land Transport Authority in 2012 found that the top reason for workers not telecommuting was that employers rarely allow it. And about 80 per cent of 1,500 people polled said they would take up flexi-work arrangements if these were made available. Finally, experts say a decentralised city is key to improving accessibility without increasing mobility. Even though Singapore had a decentralisation strategy since the 1980s, it has not gained much traction - until now. "There was a time when it was felt that having a big CBD (Central Business District) was good for the economy," recalls Prof Barter. "But I think it is better to have many sub-centres across the island." Now, several sub-centres are in the works, including Jurong Lake District, Woodlands and the Kallang Riverside. All these will allow more people to live near where they work, and work near where they play. Meanwhile, cities the world over are increasingly looking to "soft" demand management measures to spread out peak loads on transport systems. In 2008, Melbourne started offering free travel to commuters who arrive at the CBD before 7am. It led 23 per cent of commuters to travel out of peak hours. Monetary measures are not the only way to temper peak demand. In the run-up to the 2012 Olympics, London embarked on a public education and awareness campaign to prepare for the foreseeable surge in travel demand. The programme included reducing the need to travel, spacing out journeys, shifting to walking or cycling, as well as re-routing to less busy routes. The result was encouraging. Despite record ridership - London Underground, for instance, carried 4.52 million passengers on Aug 9, the highest in its history - the transport network coped well. Elsewhere, Abu Dhabi has spelt out a transport mobility management strategy as it prepares for a possible trebling of its population by 2030. It includes park-and-ride, car-sharing, flexible working hours, and telecommuting plans. All these are in place in Singapore, even if they lack scale. But things may be changing. Last year, the Urban Redevelopment Authority unveiled plans for a 700km cycling path network by 2030 - thrice the length of the current network. And URA chief planner Lim Eng Hwee leads by example: He cycles to work.

Dear bros, Just encountered a close shave this evening when driving in my mscp. Fortunately, I was going very slow ~8km/h according to my DVR software, and was alert, if not an accident might have happened. Please drive slowly in mscp and for those who cycle, please dont cycle against traffic flow esp downslope. For parents, kindly watch over your kids especially when they go cycling "just at the void deck". Kids don't know the danger and think it is fun chiong down slopes.... Ignore the date/time stamp. Something wrong with my DVR.