Rules regarding transporting bicycles in the MRT

[Ngo]

Actually, I tried asking what if the strida was in a bag... he was rather hesitant to reply but gave a 'no' later. So i thot might as well give it a shot and get the bag then see how. Unfortunately no opportunity to try it out yet...

[chucky]

well... MRT staff are the usual typical singaporean.. kiasu better be safe than sorry type.. if they are not sure (actually can), they would rather say "NO".. they will not bother to check with their headoffice. i think 1 good way is to bring them to their own MRT signboard..

Show them and tell them:
the sign says: No durian, No eating, No Drinking..

Never state: No little children pretending to be monkey and swing around the pole, No Pram, No cycling... and definitely never says No wheeled in Folded bicycle!

So technically anyone could even cycle in the MRT if they want, but of course no one would do that... so tell the staff this:

 "What IS WRONG WITH WHEELING A FOLDED BICYCLE INTO THE TRAIN WHEN I DO NOT EVEN HAVE THE INTENTION TO CYCLE???

[chucky]

Seriously if we are not wrong and the folded Strida is not getting in anyone's way.. we should just wheel it into the train without even asking for permission.. Singapore got too much rules.. and we are so used to asking 1st in fear of breaking any rules.

Like Creative's Sim Wong Hoo says.. In states, you can U-turn at every road, only those that has a NO U TURN sign, you can't. But in Singapore, you must look out for U-Turn ahead then can U turn 

[coolthought]

We can all try to wheel in the Strida together in that station. And see how will the station master react. Good point chucky. Where got any sign saying no bicycle or even foldable bicycle? If don't mind, you can make a big "whoha" out of this, there are people who does not like to make a scene out of this. Then you must really take the case up making a formal complain that the station master is rude and unfriendly and there is no rule saying that one can't bring a foldable bicycle in and there is not even a sign saying that. Is he trying to enforce his own rules? Who do you think he is? Someone who owns the SBS? Even if he does, he can't enforce unreasonable rules. In US, they can be sued. But it will really takes the cake, if SBS really comes up with a no foldable bicycle sign. It will goes to show to the public how silly and unreasonable they are.

[coolthought]

Any Strida rider lives in East Coast GRC? Why you may ask... Because the MP for East Coast GRC, Mr Raymond Lim Siang Keat is the current Minister for Transport. You (or we?) can make an appointment with him at Tel: 64429954 every Wednesday from 7:30pm and tell him our plight. Check this website for details http://www.parliament.gov.sg/AboutUs/Org-MP-MP-Prof-RaymondLim.htm
Make sure to bring your Strida along with you when you are going to meet him. (give a live demo on how useful a Strida is) After all, he is the "big boss" of all these public transport companies. But be sure to do your homework and put up the case properly. He is afterall used to be a law lecturer at NUS. A plus if you can convert him to become a fan of the Strida .

Be sure to ask him about having cycling lane on the road too. What is his takes and the future plan?

Off topic : If you can get very familiar with him, you might even be able to get some good tips on investment. Check his CV for details.

[davidtch]

That's a good idea. We should also hi lite 2 him that we r showing d public that riding a bike is safe and healthy.

By the way, if u read Regulation 7 of Rapid Transit System Act carely, there is nothing to prevent us from carrying our Strida into either MRT OR NEL.  So, mayb Ngo could hi lite that part and carry along.  If NEL staff stop u, show them d regulation.  Let them 

[Leo]

I have been travelled with strida in SMRT (during non peak hours/non city area of course) on and off for months. So far so good.
However, last Friday my wife and I were stopped by the SMART staffs at Bukit Batok station just before we took the elevator to the platform.
I told the staffs that folding bikes are allowed by SMRT, same practice applied to wheelchair and pram. Then they told me there is a new regulation, and rushed to the control room to seach for the memo. But after a while, they just couldn't find it, so they changed their tone and told me is a gray area. They advised me to takecare of safety and let us go!
Could someone direct me to obtain a printed copy of SMRT statement that spell out clearly folding bikes are allowed in the train. I will bring along, and show them should the staffs stop me again.
The staffs are just some workers, no point arguing with them, a black and white will come in handy 

[awcute]

I have been travelled with strida in SMRT (during non peak hours/non city area of course) on and off for months. So far so good.
However, last Friday my wife and I were stopped by the SMART staffs at Bukit Batok station just before we took the elevator to the platform.
I told the staffs that folding bikes are allowed by SMRT, same practice applied to wheelchair and pram. Then they told me there is a new regulation, and rushed to the control room to seach for the memo. But after a while, they just couldn't find it, so they changed their tone and told me is a gray area. They advised me to takecare of safety and let us go!
Could someone direct me to obtain a printed copy of SMRT statement that spell out clearly folding bikes are allowed in the train. I will bring along, and show them should the staffs stop me again.
The staffs are just some workers, no point arguing with them, a black and white will come in handy 

With strida?
Make sure all are folded including handlebar and pedal, and enter thru the normal gates, not the disabled/baby pram gate next to the control station.
Usually they dont pay attention that much. Only when they are quite free then they will look around.
So far I am OK with AMK & Newton station staff, the two MRT line I travelled frequently with Strida. SBS bus 13 also pretty ok.

[baru]

Hi Leo

We posted in the forum a Forum Page letter dated last year from SMRT regarding folding bikes in the train.  Here's the link: http://stridasingapore.com/forum/index.php?topic=84.0.

[davidtch]

Hi Leo,

Beside the link given by Baru, SMRT website also has Rapid Transit Systems Regulations.  This is a subsidiary legislation of Rapid Transit Systems Act.  Look @ Regulation 7 which prohibits articles exceed a certain dimension.  These dimension should have been posted publicly by both operators & LTA.  However, neither operators nor LTA post any notice of this matter.  Based on the wording of Regulation, both operators cannot stop Strida from being push into MRT.  However, being a responsible Stridian, PLEASE use 1st or last carriage.

[Leo]

Thks all for the info.
I will print from the link, at least I could show the staffs. Riding a strida is all about fun, so I would not like to play a seek and hide with the SMRT staffs.
Normally I go for the center coach near the elevator, that is the shortest route in and out from the gates, hence with the minimum disturbance to others (same logic for the wheelchair). In the train, I put my bike between two coaches so many might not notice I am with the bike.

[baru]

Foldies are allowed in many overseas train systems in the last and first carriage of the train as Davidtch has pointed out.

Presently, SMRT seems more clear about folding bikes, more so than SBS Transit which runs the NEL train.

Like prams and luaggages, foilding bikes are presently considered as "bulky items".

[Leo]

This is one of the ways to avoid control room staffs stop you from bringing the strida.
Just add a styrofoam template of a pram to the left side of your strida, but be sure you move in and out on the right side of the control room 

[CountryBoy]

My wife and I have taken our bikes on the MRT a few times. Some were 'cycling dates' before we got married, must make sure she can cycle    Luckily we are blessed with a collection of bikes, and there's a good dilema of deciding which bike to ride.

A friend with an adventure/camping shop stitched a lightweight ripstiop nylon bag with a 2 full sized bike capacity (wheels removed) for our dozen or so trips on the MRT so far. Beats cycling from Bishan to Pasir Ris to get to Changi. Ironically, my cycling time to Changi 23 kms away is shorter (abt 1 hr) than taking the MRT plus time spent taking 2 bikes apart and assembly again. And carrying 2 full bikes alone is a full workout.

Our last trip was with a folding bike and an MTB (seee below) nicely wrapped in opaque black. No questions, no problems as with all other MRT station 'control centers'  other than not being able to see our bikes as the train was jammed packed at Bugis on a Sunday.

And, yes I have heard of Strida, Birdy and CarryMe.  Haven't caught the 'virus' yet. 

[Leo]

I have been travelled with strida in SMRT (during non peak hours/non city area of course) on and off for months. So far so good.
However, last Friday my wife and I were stopped by the SMART staffs at Bukit Batok station just before we took the elevator to the platform.
I told the staffs that folding bikes are allowed by SMRT, same practice applied to wheelchair and pram. Then they told me there is a new regulation, and rushed to the control room to seach for the memo. But after a while, they just couldn't find it, so they changed their tone and told me is a gray area. They advised me to takecare of safety and let us go!
Could someone direct me to obtain a printed copy of SMRT statement that spell out clearly folding bikes are allowed in the train. I will bring along, and show them should the staffs stop me again.
The staffs are just some workers, no point arguing with them, a black and white will come in handy 

Just to correct my mistake, the MRT station that I had problem with should be Bukit Gombak not Bukit Batok.