"Fold it and Ride it" - Press Announcement by LTA on new folding bike trial

[coolthought]

Oh my it is happening already in London, any news from other cyclist friendly city like Paris/Taiwan?

I do agree the root of the problem is overcrowding and not the cyclist.

I have seen on the Taiwan Strida site that a new ruling (probably just last year)(or is it Hong kong strida site?) that their folding bicycle need to be covered up to be allowed on their trains. I did not really follow the story closely, probably there are more ruling... Steven should probably know as he has been to Taiwan not too long ago.

I also agree that the root of the problem is overcrowding and someone will always try to blame anyone else who are different from them. Maybe one day, baby strollers or even wheelchairs will be discriminated too.

[Strida Singapore]

Yes, in Taiwan, your bike need to be covered in order to get into the train.

As for Singapore.....because we have been working with the authority since day one, we managed to make them understand that if a bike after folding can be rolled around, it is actually less clumsy and more mobile than putting it in a bag. And for this instance, size does not matter too much, that's why the dimension is set to allow Strida to roll into the train.

[Strida Singapore]

  how about taking  2 Brompton at the same time in to the train

[coolthought]

how about taking  2 Brompton at the same time in to the train

This is so cool. Brompton is probably one of the most compact foldies around.

[richin]

Found an interesting Chinese article on MyPaper (29 May08) from Taiwan - "Liberating the car salves".

Highlight:  With the rising petrol price, Taiwanese are changing their lifestyle.  They are downsizing their car, and even carpool to reduce the expense. Many have switch to the humble bicycle.  Infact, the population of "bike to work" is increasing faster than the leisure cyclists.

Even before the high petrol price, Taiwanese car owners have become slaves to their car, maintaining the car, paying the monthly loan, etc, but can't enjoy the (daily) use of their car.  Instead, they use the public transport and leaving their car idle at home.

With the increasing oil price, this is an opportune time to promote clean, green & healthy alternate transport: a mix of public transport and cycling.

However, the problem lies with the central government to the city planners.  They have not been able to think of the box.  Instead, the transport planning revolves around building more road, express ways, railways, road closures, etc.  No one has focus on the cycling as the central theme and develop a traffic network around it.
With the global change in energy & resources, the new Taiwan president Ma should adopt new thinking and build a comprehensive cycling network to liberate the 4 wheels car slaves and hit the road with our 2 wheels.
Photo:  Double storey bike rack.

[baru]

Hot from LTA - a press release on the extension of folding bike trial on buses that was released this afternoon:

Fold It And Ride It
Extension of Foldable Bicycles Trial for Buses

1.    On 24 May 2008, the LTA together with operators, SMRT and SBST, launched a 6-month trial to assess whether foldable bicycles can be brought onto buses and trains without affecting normal operations or inconveniencing other commuters. The trial on buses, however, will be reviewed after three months.

2.     The three month review period for buses ended on 24 August 2008. During the past three months, LTA has taken in the feedback of cyclists, bus commuters, bus drivers and bus operators. There were neither adverse reports nor injuries reported and most commuters were also found to be accommodative.

3.     To allow the LTA and the bus operators to better assess whether foldable bicycles can be brought on board buses without affecting bus operations or inconveniencing other commuters, the trial on buses will be extended till 24 November 2008 to include weekday off-peak hours besides all day on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. This will take effect from 15 September 2008. In the interim, cyclists can continue to bring their foldable bicycles on board buses all day on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Please refer to the Annex A for the list of guidelines and revised timing.

4.     With the extension of the trial on buses, the periods when foldable bicycles are permitted on board buses and trains will be identical. The trial on buses and trains will end on the 24 November 2008. During the trial period, LTA and the operators will continue to take in feedback from both cyclists and commuters.
 
 
This means starting from 15 September, foldable bikes will be allowed on buses from Mon to Fri, 9.30 am to 4.30 pm and after 7.30 pm till end of operations as well as all Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.  This presently applies only to folding bikes in the MRT.
For full details of the LTA announcement, you can access http://www.lta.gov.sg/corp_info/index_corp_press.htm


 

[awcute]

Thank you for the update.
Those who need to print the press annoucement please go to LTA website http://www.lta.gov.sg/corp_info/index_corp_press.htm

Sometimes you need to carry a few copy and give to the uncle/auntie who drive the bus when they tell you cannot bring in.

[blackberryman]

http://cyclinginsingapore.blogspot.com/

LTA: Foldable bike trial aboard buses extended to 24 Nov 2008; now includes weekday off-peak hours
LT released a press release today that announced the extension of the foldable bike trial aboard buses to 24 Nov 2008.

On 24 May 2008, the foldable bike trial aboard buses and MRT/LRT was launched to assess whether foldable bicycles could be brought onto buses and trains without affecting normal operations or inconveniencing other commuters. In this announcement, the trial aboard buses was restricted to all day on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays only and promised a review after three months.

Three months later now and LTA says feedback of cyclists, bus commuters, bus drivers and bus operators was not adverse nor were injuries reported. In fact most commuters were accommodative.

The trial on buses is now extended until 24 November 2008 and this time includes weekday off-peak hours, i. e. the timings for bus access is the same as MRT / LRT, with effect from 15 September 2008.

Summary: foldable bicycles are allowed on buses as well as MRT / LRT at these times:

    * Mon ? Fri: 9.30am ? 4.30pm, 7.30 pm to end of revenue service
    * All day on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays.



The trial on both buses and trains will end on the 24 November 2008. LTA will continue to take in feedback from both cyclists and commuters by contacting LTA via 1800 2255-582 (1800 Call-LTA), feedback@lta.gov.sg or SMS 77582 "77LTA".

Source: Fold It And Ride It. LTA press release, 08 Sep 2008Extension of Foldable Bicycles Trial for Buses, includes Annex A.
Posted by Sivasothi at 10:02 PM 0 comme

[blackberryman]

Tuesday, June 10, 2008
LTA Foldable bicycle user survey
LTA would like to gather feedback from cyclists who own foldable bicycles about the trial to allow foldable bicycles onboard trains and buses, which commenced on 24 May 08. Cyclists may return the survey form to Terence Koah at terence_koah@lta.gov.sg by 12 Jun 08.

Download the survey (word doc) here.
 
http://cyclinginsingapore.blogspot.com/search/label/foldable

[Hansolow]

Hi all, 24 Nov 08 is not too far away, what next after that? Are foldable bikes still allowed onboard the train or bus?

[qwerty]

Hi all, 24 Nov 08 is not too far away, what next after that? Are foldable bikes still allowed onboard the train or bus?

Let wait for LTA  press release .

[BkiniInspector]

My guess is they will extend for another 6 months.

[davidtch]

Modus Operandi: Don't disturb d established. 

If LTA do not make any further announcement, juz continue wif d trial.

[awcute]

Modus Operandi: Don't disturb d established. 

If LTA do not make any further announcement, juz continue wif d trial.

       . . . . .  

[herimit]

for all those who bring their foldable bike on MRT and buses, you can continue to do so at non peak. LTA is evaluating and will announce their finding later.

Good news for friends who are taking public transport this Sat for the mass ride.

[baru]

   Yup, Herimit is right! We just had a meeting with LTA - the trial is extended till Feb 09 or earlier, until such time that LTA makes an official announcement on the feedback on the folding bike trial in the public transport system.  All rules and regulations of the bike trial remain unchanged.

[CKH]

Thks Herimit for giving us some first hand news ...

Do keep us posted...

Won't it b great if they were to extent it the whole day ...

All the hype about going green & saving the environment ...

Yet they are dragging their feet ....

After one trial to another ...

[awcute]

Thks Herimit for giving us some first hand news ...

Do keep us posted...

Won't it b great if they were to extent it the whole day ...

All the hype about going green & saving the environment ...

Yet they are dragging their feet ....

After one trial to another ...

gently, slowly

[Stormclad]

Trial for them. trial on us.

[awcute]

Trial for them. trial on us.

we need to earn trust, bear with it.

[davidtch]

Trial for them. trial on us.

Take it easy.  Tis is a great improvement already.

[neoterryjoe]

hi guys,
   new in this forum.. I recently noticed a "Fold it, Ride it"ad on sbs buses(at the top near the aircon vents) on the current allowed times for foldable bikes on public transport after the first trial ending on Nov. I cant remember the timings clearly, seems to be like off-peak(930-430??, and after 730pm??) on weekdays and full day on weekends. I tried to google the official document for the (new?) timings but cant find it. Can someone clarify? Are these timings for a 2nd trial period or fixed?

Thanks.
tj

[baru]

Hi, the bike trial has been extended till Feb 2009 and the trial hours are  Mon to Fri: 9.30am - 4.30pm, 7.30 pm to end of revenue service and all day on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays. 

For the folding bike trial details, you can check out LTA's website - www.lta.gov.sg.  The same information was posted on this forum, you can read in the earlier page of this thread.

LTA should be making an official announcement in this month on their decision as to whether to make it a permanent scheme or not. 

[awcute]

If they are making it permanent that would be a nice birthday gift

[davidtch]

hi guys,
   new in this forum.. I recently noticed a "Fold it, Ride it"ad on sbs buses(at the top near the aircon vents) on the current allowed times for foldable bikes on public transport after the first trial ending on Nov. I cant remember the timings clearly, seems to be like off-peak(930-430??, and after 730pm??) on weekdays and full day on weekends. I tried to google the official document for the (new?) timings but cant find it. Can someone clarify? Are these timings for a 2nd trial period or fixed?

Thanks.
tj

Honestly, if i take public transport, i would not care about the operating hours.

Why?

I will bring along my strida bag or carry me shower cap.  Just cover it up and bring it along.  Nobody can find fault with me carrying a large bag. 

I bring along my strida bag to work everyday.  When i arrived at the lobby of the building, unfold & pack it.

[awcute]

I will bring along my strida bag or carry me shower cap.  Just cover it up and bring it along.  Nobody can find fault with me carrying a large bag. 

I bring along my strida bag to work everyday.  When i arrived at the lobby of the building, unfold & pack it.

what if the bus driver ask? you just say this is really big guitar for you son's CCA?

[davidtch]

I will bring along my strida bag or carry me shower cap.  Just cover it up and bring it along.  Nobody can find fault with me carrying a large bag. 

I bring along my strida bag to work everyday.  When i arrived at the lobby of the building, unfold & pack it.

what if the bus driver ask? you just say this is really big guitar for you son's CCA?

If a huge bag (Samsonite 29") is brought onto bus, do bus captain query the content?

[awcute]

I will bring along my strida bag or carry me shower cap.  Just cover it up and bring it along.  Nobody can find fault with me carrying a large bag. 

I bring along my strida bag to work everyday.  When i arrived at the lobby of the building, unfold & pack it.

what if the bus driver ask? you just say this is really big guitar for you son's CCA?

If a huge bag (Samsonite 29") is brought onto bus, do bus captain query the content?

depending on how you look actually.
and how you walk (he will be suspicious if you are limping) LOL.