Minister of Transport's Speech (25/1/08) on folding bikes in trains and buses

[baru]

Here's an excerpt from the Minister of Transport, Mr Raymond Lim's speech today during his visit to Kim Chuan Depot:

"Facilitating Cyclists

 Cyclists are another group that we will facilitate. There is a growing interest in cycling, with more people cycling for recreation, or to get around the neighbourhood.   

 We invited some of them to our land transport review focus group discussions to see how we could better cater to their needs.  Some cyclists asked for more bicycle stands around our bus and MRT stations. Others made the point that some foldable bicycles were not much bigger than prams, so why not allow them onboard our trains and buses?

 Responding to this, LTA together with the public transport operators will launch a six-month trial from March 2008 to allow cyclists to carry their foldable bicycles on board trains and buses.  LTA will also work with NParks and other agencies to leverage on the park connectors to enable cyclists to get to public transport interchanges more easily. Bicycle parking facilities at the MRT stations and bus interchanges in housing estates will be improved."

[CountryBoy]

Yeah!  Thanks for lobbying Vivian.  Most other "developed" ciites allow this already   

Ditto! May I suggest some required reading/homework for any city/transport planner who envisages cycling as a viable form of transport.

For starters, www.dpi.wa.gov.au/cycling/1515.asp

[Tigershark]

This is very good news indeed. I just hope people with folding bicycles don't shoot themselves on their foot by travelling together in a big group, displaying their bikes and occupying the whole MRT carriage all to themselves with no cosideration for other commuters. You will get an immediate backlash from the non cycling commuters in the train and buses, asking LTA to impose the ban on bikes again. If you don't know what I am talking about, just look at some of the pictures posted here in this forum and you get the idea. Being low profile and inconspicuous is the key. A folding bike occupies approximately a space wide enough for a standing person

[CountryBoy]

A few weeks ago, a woman almost tripped over my folded bike in a bus. I was closest to the rear exit door and the bike stuck out about 10 inches from the edge of the seat. Of course being a bus passenger, she howled at me, while massaging her shin. Oddly enough, at least six primary school kids with heavy backpacks, some with very thick prescription glasses managed to see the bike, as I motioned them to 'siam' a bit as they moved to the rear, while I maintained a smile.    As she wasn't carrying a white walking stick, I presumed she was just careless/clueless/distracted/whatever.

Point is, cyclists in Singapore, worse those on public transport are treated as second class citizens, by the rest.(ie commuters/authorities)) You dont need to sell yourself short, apologising, racking yr brains as to what non cycling commuters perceive you to be. I've heard suggestions for paying an extra fare foy yr bike? Please, bikes, some full sized, ride free, in their own carriages, well in other 1st world countries. Paying doesn't necessarily 'buy' understanding nor consideration or provide long lasting solutions to congestion. How many of you guys are paying electronically to drive....home?

On a brighter note, some bus drivers have told me to take my time, boarding their bus, and even waved as I alighted, bike in hand. When 'our' (mine excluded) not so first world mentality catches up with the rest of our first world achievements, then we might just see scenes like these,

[BkiniInspector]

LTA mention 6 months trial from March 2008 does that mean that they can currently stop us from entering the train/bus if they want to?

[coolthought]

Err... you have several kopi-o sessions to straighten out the TM thoughts?

[CountryBoy]

LTA mention 6 months trial from March 2008 does that mean that they can currently stop us from entering the train/bus if they want to?

Hey, dont think out so loud one leh. Gives people 'ideas'.  You mean I've been infringing some bike ban rules, para 123, sub para xyz, sub section zzz,  All These Years?? 

[Strida Singapore]

HERE"S THE SPEECH BY MR RAYMOND LIM,MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT, AT THE VISIT TO KIM CHUAN DEPOT, 25 JANUARY

Read it here.
https://app-pac.mica.gov.sg/data/vddp/embargo/6260896.htm

[qwerty]

Here is the report from Wanbao... they took Strida as a bench mark... ... licence given to bring my strida to take train... bery good...

[awcute]

This is just taken yesterday on NEL entrance of Dhoby Ghaut...

[awcute]

Strida taken in SMRT train

[davidtch]

Baru, u r featured on page 11 of home section.

I came back an hr ago from my wkly ride to Kranji from home.  Even my Tikit with front pannier attached is no obstruction in MRT.  I usually take d last carriage & stand on d door that is least open.

[BkiniInspector]

Err... you have several kopi-o sessions to straighten out the TM thoughts?

Eer actually I had a chance for that, but too lazy to go. Now no chance to give a piece of my mind liao.

[CountryBoy]

This is just taken yesterday on NEL entrance of Dhoby Ghaut...

Thanks for the warning Mr Cute. I guess I shouldn't bring my full sized road bike in a zipped black nylon bag, from Bishan to Pasir Ris too often, just to go riding in Pengerang.

[davidtch]

This is very good news indeed. I just hope people with folding bicycles don't shoot themselves on their foot by travelling together in a big group, displaying their bikes and occupying the whole MRT carriage all to themselves with no cosideration for other commuters. You will get an immediate backlash from the non cycling commuters in the train and buses, asking LTA to impose the ban on bikes again. If you don't know what I am talking about, just look at some of the pictures posted here in this forum and you get the idea. Being low profile and inconspicuous is the key. A folding bike occupies approximately a space wide enough for a standing person

Even b4 tis announcement, we have been boarding bus/train in grp.  We did not receive any backlash.  Instead, we got a lot of curious look from commuters.  When we travel in grp, we don't do it during peak hr.  Accordingly, we will not caused any inconvenience to other commuters. 

We should travel more on bus/train to show other commuter d convenient of multi-mode commuting.  I think that's d spirit of tis announcement.

[CountryBoy]

> "And if it does, I'm confident that "Father" has something already in store."

'Father' has a lot of rotans in the store room to whip the kids into place. It's 2008, let me rephrase. This sounds better, 'Solutions (already decided) for the good of the majority so that no one ie. majority is inconvenienced, in their rush to get somewhere'.

I (used to) cycle everywhere just to avoid any form of public transport. The ball is in the court of transport operators to make it welcoming and inviting for bike commuters to board their vehicles willingly without some backlash as suggested.

'Dear Daddy, the kids have all grown up and are playing their part in the commuting/healthy lifestyle game, albeit with cute tiny wheels' 

[baru]

Here's Lianhe Zaobao's report on folding bikes alllowed in trains and buses in a 6 month trial.

[BkiniInspector]

I dun think there will be a flood of foldies rushing to take public transport. Those taking public transport  ridding are already doing it. Maybe there will be 10 to 20 per cent increase. For organised ride like what we do, so far I only know of strida,cm....aiya our group taking P T to the meeting point. However I hope in future, after the ride and the need to take the train, we should spread out and not cramping together in one carriage so as not to attract anti-bikers attention/ give then EXCUSE to complain. Lets hope the trial will be a success for all.. So lets do our part.

[remotemadness]

Hi guys,

I'm new to this.. Haven't got a bike yet

I'm residing at Bedok reservoir, its a pain to walk 7 min to bus stop to take a bus to bedok station to take a train to city hall to change train to summer set to walk another 7 min to work... all in all about an hour + just to go to work..

So why not a foldable bike to cycle to the station carry in and reach summerset station and cycle to work.. saves about $1.20 a day..
(3 years to pay of a strida 5)...

I'm following this thread about foldable bike on buses and train..

since this newspaper write up and trial period.. has anybody got any problem going on buses and train..

thanks
 

[awcute]

Hi guys,

I'm new to this.. Haven't got a bike yet

I'm residing at Bedok reservoir, its a pain to walk 7 min to bus stop to take a bus to bedok station to take a train to city hall to change train to summer set to walk another 7 min to work... all in all about an hour + just to go to work..

So why not a foldable bike to cycle to the station carry in and reach summerset station and cycle to work.. saves about $1.20 a day..
(3 years to pay of a strida 5)...

I'm following this thread about foldable bike on buses and train..

since this newspaper write up and trial period.. has anybody got any problem going on buses and train..

thanks

A minority of SBS bus drivers have a problem with it.
Similarly a minority of SBS Security Personell at North East Line have a problem with it. I have encountered problem at Harbour Front MRT station but after going to the station master (he said this one ok), so I scolded her and tell her to update her information.
Another was in Chinatown MRT when I was waiting for my friend. I did not go in anyway but was waiting.
At Novena MRT the Security Personell reminded me to take the lift instead of elevator, but I guess that was OK.
Normally they only pick on you when they have nothing much to do and the station is quiet.
I always bring a few Velcro so secure my bicycle on the metal railings and one bus driver once worried and just confirm my bike and was amazed how secure it can be tied to the railing with 2 Velcro. I buy them at Daisho.
Also remember to always lock both of the brakes using the string loop at the handles. Assuming your brakes is not loose, it should be pretty secure.

[remotemadness]

Hi awcute,

thanks for the update..

A side note,.. where is the lavender st shop to see these bike.. i know where lavender st is.. but can't remember seeing a bike shop..

thanks

[Strida Singapore]

Hi,

See location on map below. Nearest MRT is NEL, Boon Keng Station.

[remotemadness]

Hi,

thanks for the direction..

Hi,

See location on map below. Nearest MRT is NEL, Boon Keng Station.