Sam Leong's band of brothers - cyclists

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34 cyclists in S'pore caught breaking rules on roads over 2 days: LTA
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The cyclists were spotted during enforcement operations conducted with the Traffic Police.PHOTO: LAND TRANSPORT AUTHORITY/FACEBOOK

Toh Ting Wei

Apr 18, 2021

SINGAPORE - In enforcement operations over two days in a few locations, 34 cyclists were caught flouting rules on roads.
This comes after recent complaints about errant cyclists.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) said in a Facebook post on Sunday (April 18) that the cyclists were spotted during enforcement operations conducted with the Traffic Police.
LTA said that during the operations, officers were deployed at Ayer Rajah Expressway, West Coast Highway, Bukit Timah and Tanah Merah Coast Road.
"While most were law-abiding, we did find 16 cyclists who rode on the road without helmets," LTA added. Another 16 were caught beating the red light. "Two also rode against the flow of traffic."
LTA said it was happy to see that more people are taking up cycling, but urged cyclists to keep safety in mind while on the roads. It also called for cyclists to abide by the rules and be considerate and gracious towards others.

The perennial conflict between cyclists and motorists came to the fore again on April 1 when actor Tay Ping Hui shared a video of a group of road cyclists disregarding traffic rules earlier this month.
He said it was an issue he had experienced for the "umpteenth time", and suggested that all bicycles be registered.

Several others, including Temasek chief executive Ho Ching, then echoed Mr Tay's calls for more regulations to be imposed on road cyclists.
Senior Minister of State for Transport Chee Hong Tat announced on April 12 that a panel would review existing regulations governing cyclists on the roads, and study whether theory tests and licenses should be required for them.
He said the Active Mobility Advisory Panel would take several months to conduct this review, and seek feedback from the public.

 

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Girl, 8, left with eye injury after bicycle collision with GrabFood rider

The man is believed to have accidentally knocked the child over, leaving her covered in blood and shards of glass from her smashed spectacles.
PHOTO: SHIN MIN DAILY NEWS
Sherlyn Sim

JAN 18, 2021

SINGAPORE - A GrabFood delivery rider has been arrested over a bicycle collision that left an eight-year-old girl in hospital with an eye injury.
The man is believed to have accidentally knocked the child over on a footpath, leaving her covered in blood and shards of glass from her smashed spectacles.
Her mother, Mrs Sathiya, told The Straits Times she screamed when she saw what had happened to her daughter, who has since had eye surgery.
She said: "I panicked so hard, I cried. I thought, 'What if she goes blind? Will her vision be able to be back to normal?' I didn't know what to do."
Mrs Sathiya, a 38-year-old accountant who goes by one name, said they were walking home from school with another mother-and-daughter pair on Friday (Jan 15), when they saw the man riding towards them on the footpath in Bukit Batok Street 52.
He was not cycling too fast but Mrs Sathiya instinctively nudged her daughter and the other girl behind her. Suddenly, after the bicycle had passed them, she heard a piercing scream and a loud thud.

Turning around, she saw her daughter, a Primary 2 pupil at the nearby Lianhua Primary School, lying on the ground with blood all over her face.
Mrs Sathiya screamed and quickly lifted the girl up. Her daughter's glasses were smashed and there were shards on her face and on the ground.
Several passers-by rushed to help. They tried to calm a tearful Mrs Sathiya, while a man used cotton wool to help stem the girl's bleeding.
Mrs Sathiya said the man on the bicycle was apologetic and started crying as well.

As she tried to phone her husband, her friend called an ambulance.
Responding to queries from the ST, police said they have arrested an 18-year-old man on suspicion of a negligent act causing grievous hurt. He is assisting with the ongoing investigation.
A GrabFood spokesman said the man is a delivery partner, who has since been suspended.
Speaking to the ST by phone from the National University Hospital, where her daughter is receiving treatment, Mrs Sathiya said her daughter had eye surgery last Friday and is expected to have a second operation next week.
The permanent resident came to Singapore around 12 years ago with her husband, 39, an engineer with a local company. They have a 16-month-old daughter back home in Tamil Nadu, India.

On Monday, a teacher and vice-principal from the girl's school visited her in hospital.
Mrs Sathiya said she is concerned about her daughter's medical bills and is checking if the girl was eligible for insurance. She added that her only focus now is to ensure that her daughter's vision returns to normal.
If convicted of causing grievous hurt by performing a negligent act, the 18-year-old could be jailed for up to two years and fined up to $5,000.

 

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Forum: Look into reckless riding on footpaths, pedestrian crossings

APR 17, 2021

Last month, as I was walking on the footpath along Farrer Road, a cyclist sped straight into my path, hitting my leg and foot.
After struggling to get up, I tried to take a picture of him with my smartphone. He turned back towards me looking aggressive, but the presence of other people deterred him and he rode off without an apology.
That same evening at about 7.30pm, as I walked along the pavement of Clementi Road towards Sunset Way, which is lined with lots of bushes and plants, a large group of cyclists rode towards me.
The bikes had no lights, and the youngsters rode two and three abreast. I was forced to move aside quickly, almost slipping into a small drain.
Such encounters are very common in the evenings in this neighbourhood.
I have seen cyclists darting in and out of pavements and riding at breakneck speeds across the zebra crossing at the junction of Clementi and Ulu Pandan roads.

As an expert panel will review existing regulations governing cyclists on the road, it would be good if those on the panel could also address this issue of hazardous cycling on footpaths and pedestrian crossings.
Robert Bacsafra

 

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Panel to study licensing, mandatory theory tests for road cyclists as part of review: Chee Hong Tat

The expert panel will look into the pros and cons of licensing cyclists and study the experiences of other countries, said Mr Chee Hong Tat.
ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG

Toh Ting Wei
APR 13, 2021


SINGAPORE - An expert panel will review existing regulations governing cyclists on the roads, and study whether theory tests and licenses should be required for riding on roads.
Announcing this on Monday (April 12), Senior Minister of State for Transport Chee Hong Tat said the Active Mobility Advisory Panel will take several months to conduct this review, and seek feedback from the public.
A video posted on April 1 of a group of cyclists disregarding traffic rules prompted calls to register all bicycles.
Mr Chee said the Government is aware of concerns from both motorists and cyclists about cycling on the roads. The panel will look into the pros and cons of licensing cyclists, he said, and study the experiences of other countries.
He noted that countries which have many cyclists - like the Netherlands - do not require bicycles to be registered or cyclists to be licensed.
"But it is a proposal that the panel can look at... while we do (the review), it's important that we do so in a balanced and fair manner, because we don't want to inadvertently end up discouraging cycling," he told reporters after meeting some members of the panel.

Mr Chee emphasised that cycling remains an important part of Singapore's overall green plan for transportation.
While it is a good thing that more people are taking up cycling, this should be done in a safe manner, he noted.
Asked about Singapore's strategy for reducing accidents involving cyclists on the roads, Mr Chee said expanding the cycling path network is a key measure.
Public education and promoting road etiquette are also crucial, he added.

"We will have to step up enforcement to take action against the small number of egregious cyclists and motorists who don't comply with rules," he said.
The review, he said, is not to just deal with current concerns but ensure safety for all road users as more people take up cycling.

The expert panel, which comprises representatives from relevant groups such as seniors, youth, cyclists and motorists, was set up in 2015 to study and discuss regulations in Singapore relating to walking, cycling and the use of active mobility devices.
It had previously recommended legalising cycling on footpaths, and registering electric bicycles and personal mobility devices, among other proposals.
Mr Steven Lim, president of the Safe Cycling Task Force and a member of the panel, described the issue of errant road cyclists as a behavioural one, and not due to inadequate infrastructure or rules.
Mr Lim, who attended Monday's meeting with Mr Chee, also questioned whether the licensing of cyclists would be effective.

He said: "Look at how many drivers went through the stringent course and licensing, but we still see errant drivers."
A review should study the issue from different perspectives and to come up with something that is suitable in Singapore's context, he said.
Separately, Traffic Police commander Gerald Lim, who also attended the meeting on Monday, urged all road users to be "more tolerant and gracious to one another, and practise good sense".
The perennial conflict between cyclists and motorists came to the fore again when actor Tay Ping Hui shared the video of a group of road cyclists disregarding traffic rules. He said it was an issue he had experienced for the "umpteenth time", and suggested that all bicycles could be registered.

Temasek chief executive Ho Ching, referencing Mr Tay's Facebook post, then called for all bicycles and personal mobility devices to be registered a day later, and be required to have third-party insurance.
The Land Transport Authority had previously studied bicycle licensing, and said it would not be practical to implement it.
In a letter to The Straits Times Forum page in 2016, the authority said it would be resource-intensive to implement and police a system to license bicycles or cyclists that is up to date.
More importantly, a licensing system would make owning and using a bicycle too onerous, and would discourage people from cycling, it noted then, highlighting the need to strengthen public education instead.

Rules on bicycle registration in other places
The rules governing cyclists who ride on the roads will be reviewed, amid increasing concerns on the issue.
Senior Minister of State for Transport Chee Hong Tat said on Monday that an expert panel will look at whether a licensing or registration regime might be needed for riding on roads. But he noted that many countries where cycling is popular do not have such measures. If there is registration, it is usually to deter theft.
Here is a look at how some other places handle cycling on roads.
The Netherlands
• No mandatory bicycle registration or licensing regime.
• Has segregated cycling paths and safe junction designs.
• Includes road safety education programme in primary school curriculum.
Denmark
• No mandatory registration or licensing regime, but bicycle frames each have a unique code to guard against theft, as well as for insurance reasons.
• Has segregated cycling lanes and traffic priority schemes for cyclists.
• Includes cycling programme in school curriculum.
Tokyo
• Has mandatory bicycle registration to deter theft and help recover stolen bicycles.
• Registration is done at the bicycle retailer for about $6; transfer of ownership will have to be done at a police station.
Vienna
• Licence required for children aged 10 to 12 to ride alone on roads. These children will have to take a theory test, as well as a practical test conducted by the police.
Cities that have repealed bicycle registration laws
Toronto (1957)
Seattle (1978)
Singapore (1982)
Beijing (2004)
Switzerland (2010)

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Forum: Reckless cyclists raise risk of accidents at East Coast Park

FEB 24, 2021

When a cyclist was sentenced to a week's jail last December over a fatal accident involving a pedestrian, it was a reminder of how dangerous a bicycle can be when handled without due care.
I was reminded of this during a recent cycling outing with my wife and two children at East Coast Park, as we witnessed a number of near-collisions.
As it was a Sunday, there were many areas along the cycling path overcrowded with all kinds of cyclists.
These included toddlers on their tiny four-wheelers, children learning how to cycle, older ones who could cycle but were still unsteady at times, teenagers who were fast, adults (like myself) doing a leisurely ride with their children, and other adults on racing bikes doing their weekend training.
I observed that those on racing bikes belonged to two sub-groups.
The first sub-group appeared to be responsible and, despite their intent to train, would slow down and wait patiently in areas where there was overcrowding or where they noticed children cycling unsteadily.

The second sub-group cycled at breakneck speed, most times recklessly weaving in between the slower cyclists, who often were children.
They would also shout rudely to the slower cyclists to get out of their way.
Before a serious accident involving children occurs, the authorities should seriously look into this matter and address the issue.
Kevin Sng

 

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Forum: Have speed bumps at bus stops to slow cyclists

FEB 3, 2021

There are many cyclists on footpaths now, especially those delivering food during this pandemic period.
However, cyclists have been seen disregarding the safety of pedestrians, especially when they fail to slow down at bus stops.
Speed bumps should be installed at both sides of bus stops to prevent cyclists from speeding through.
This will protect commuters who may not be looking out for bicycles coming from their left as they pay attention to oncoming buses coming from the right.
Chia Eu Foong

 

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Road rage in Berlin as cyclists clog streets in pandemic

The number of Berliners cycling to work or shopping has increased by some 25 per cent since the start of the pandemic.
PHOTO: AFP

DEC 31, 2020

BERLIN (AFP) - It's rush hour on a grey morning in Berlin and a stream of cyclists are gliding along Friedrichstrasse, the fabled shopping street that runs through the city centre.
"Move!" one of them yells after illegally mounting the pavement and charging at a defenceless pedestrian.
Mr Bernd Lechner, a 40-year-old insurance clerk, manages to dodge the speeding bike just in time, but he's had enough of the "increasingly aggressive" attitude of cyclists in the German capital.
"It's getting worse and worse. I'm starting to become more scared of bicycles than of cars," he said.
Berlin has long been known as a bike-friendly city, but a sharp rise in the number of cyclists during the coronavirus pandemic has been causing tensions on the road.
The number of Berliners cycling to work or to go shopping has increased by some 25 per cent since the start of the pandemic, according to city authorities.

All good news for fitness, air quality and public health, since it reduces the number of people using public transport during the fight against Covid-19.
But at the same time, police have registered a sharp rise in the number of offences committed by cyclists and a surge in complaints about them from pedestrians, according to Berlin police chief Barbara Slowik.
In an interview with the Berliner Morgenpost newspaper in October, Ms Slowik even proposed compulsory registration for cyclists to make it easier for the authorities to identify those who break the rules.
"More than 50 per cent of all traffic accidents involving cyclists are caused by the cyclists themselves," she said.

And some are paying with their lives: 17 cyclists have been killed in traffic accidents in Berlin this year, 11 more than in 2019.

But the idea of compulsory registration is unlikely to become reality because of the "immense bureaucracy" it would entail, Ms Ragnhild Soerensen of Changing Cities, an NGO that lobbies for sustainable transport, told AFP.
Berlin has about 3 million bicycles, compared with only 1.1 million registered cars, she points out.
But the police chief's comments have ignited a fierce debate on the behaviour of cyclists in the city.
"We are being pushed around, insulted. Many people think they are better people just because they ride a bike ... This anarchy has to stop," the Tagesspiegel newspaper wrote recently.

According to Ms Soerensen, critics are simply "trying to denigrate cyclists in order to distract attention from the delays in drafting a new transport strategy" to increase the use of public transport.
Just three per cent of public space in the city is reserved for cyclists, but they make up 18 per cent of traffic, says Ms Anika Meenken of the Verkehrsclub Deutschland (VCD) transport association.
"Aggressiveness occurs when space is too tight, which naturally leads to more stress," she said.
By way of contrast, cars make up some 33 per cent of traffic in the city but take up 58 per cent of the space.
But Mr Oliver Woitzik, head of transport for the Berlin police, argues that "we can't just build roads, cycle paths and pavements everywhere".

"What would help a lot would be for people to stop putting their own ego first, and also to know when to give up their rightful place" if there is danger involved, he said - a skill that is sometimes lacking among those on both four wheels and two.
In any case, cyclists who break the rules are more likely to be fined in future as Berlin is expanding its use of officers on bikes around the city, he told AFP.
Their number, currently around 40, is expected to "climb to 100 in the spring" and then continue to grow over the next few years.

 

[Hypocrite-The]

Wat is the penalties for the cyclists who broke the rules.? Will they b executed? Or just a slap on the wrists?

 

[Hypocrite-The]

Why don't just execute cyclists for breaking the law n causing problems for others?

Cyclist swerves through traffic in Choa Chu Kang, motorcyclist gives chase to warn him
The motorcyclist really wanted to warn him.
Nigel Chua |

April 18, 2021, 12:34 PM

Calls for firmer action against errant road cyclists in Singapore are intensifying recently, fuelled by video evidence of wrongdoings that gets recorded by other road users and uploaded online.
One recent incident captured on a helmet-mounted camera shows a cyclist swerving through traffic at high speed, along Choa Chu Kang Road towards Bukit Panjang.

GIF from video by @mrlanding on TikTok.
The cyclist seemed to pay no attention to the requirement for cyclists to keep left while riding on the road, weaving between vehicles and riding on all three of the lanes.
He also did not signal his intention to change lanes.
The cyclist appeared to be riding a fixed gear bicycle (also known as a fixie) which did not have handbrakes installed.
The recording was posted as a series of four short video clips on TikTok, on Apr. 17, though one of the clips, which showed the cyclist's face clearly, has since been removed.
Motorcyclist gives chase
The first of the clips shows the cyclist passing the motorcyclist, who was himself riding between lanes, as other vehicles had slowed down due to heavy traffic.
Seeing the cyclist swerve out from the left lane onto the middle lane, the motorcyclist accelerates in pursuit, commenting on his riding by asking rhetorically "what you doing?" and "your father['s] road ah?"
The two vehicles come to a halt at a red light, and the motorcyclist rides up alongside the cyclist.

Screenshot via @mrlanding on TikTok.
The cyclist can be seen removing a wireless earbud as the motorcyclist tells him that he should be riding on the left side of the road.

Screenshot via @mrlanding on TikTok.
"You shouldn't be cycling through the cars and all that, it's very dangerous you know, I caught everything on camera."
The cyclist responds by saying "I go there," while gesturing his intent to continue towards his right.

Screenshot via @mrlanding on TikTok.
"You're gonna get yourself killed, you know?" remarks the motorcyclist, as he moves his vehicle back behind the road's stop line.
Motorcyclist signals left on cyclist's behalf
When the lights change, the cyclist pedals forward in the same direction instead of turning right.
This leaves him on the right of all the other vehicles heading in the same direction, as the lanes to his right were for vehicles turning right.
Seeing this, the motorcyclist extends a hand — both literally and figuratively — to signal left, on the cyclist's behalf.

GIF from video by @mrlanding on TikTok.
The cyclist is able to make his way to the left lane.
Cyclist caught swerving onto pedestrian crossing
The cyclist was also seen in a later video, making a sharp turn from the left lane to join pedestrians who were crossing the road.

GIF from video by @mrlanding on TikTok.
Such an act is not specifically singled out as illegal by road regulations, but doing so at high speed could be considered as rash or dangerous riding, as others using the pedestrian crossing may not expect a vehicle coming off the road in this manner.
"These are the kind of cyclists we need to get off the roads," remarks the motorcyclist, adding that "they spoil the image of all other cyclists."
Some commenters also chided motorcyclist
The majority of commenters on TikTok decried the cyclist's dangerous behaviour, but the motorcyclist's riding also attracted some criticism.
Commenters pointed out that the motorcyclist was also riding dangerously between other vehicles on the road.
Recent discussion on regulating road cyclists
The government has acknowledged "concerns from both motorists and also cyclists with more bicycles now being on the roads," and is initiating a review.
The Active Mobility Advisory Panel, which will be conducting the review, can also look into the possibility of legislating a licence or registry for cyclists and their bicycles, said Senior Minister of State for Transport Chee Hong Tat on April 12.
Related stories
Top image via video by @mrlanding on TikTok

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[glockman]

Young punks and fat old men in tights have really given cyclists a bad rep. Glad I am not cycling much these days.

 

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Former food delivery rider fined for colliding into cyclist while using phone

File photo of a man cycling on a park connector in Singapore.
By Lydia Lam@LydiaLamCNA
30 Apr 2021

SINGAPORE: A food delivery rider cycling on a park connector at night was looking at his mobile phone and failed to notice a 57-year-old cyclist in front.
He collided into the back of the victim, who was also using his phone, causing him to fall over and fracture his elbow.

Heer Weng Kong, 28, was fined S$2,000 by a court on Friday (Apr 30) for causing hurt by a negligent act that endangers human life.
The court heard that Heer, a delivery rider for GrabFood at the time, was on his bicycle on a park connector in Bukit Batok West Avenue 5 at about 10.15pm on Apr 4 last year.
As he was using his phone while cycling, he failed to notice the victim, a 57-year-old man cycling in front of him who was also using his phone.
When Heer noticed the victim, he tried to apply his brakes and avoid him but did not manage to stop. His bicycle collided into the back of the victim's bicycle, and the older man fell down.

Heer helped him and stayed with him until an ambulance came to take the victim to hospital. A medical report stated that the victim suffered a fracture of his right elbow as well as abrasions on his elbow and knee. He was given 45 days of hospitalisation leave.
Heer has given him S$505 as compensation.
The prosecutor asked for a fine of S$2,500, while defence lawyer Jerome Tan asked for a maximum fine of S$1,000.
Mr Tan said his client is remorseful and deeply regrets causing hurt to the victim.

"Firstly, the collision occurred along the park connector at 10.17pm. This is at night and of course visibility and lighting is poor," he said.
The lawyer also said that as a GrabFood delivery rider, Heer depended on his phone for his job.
"Unfortunately, it is the nature of his work to look at his phone and it's very unfortunate that ... it resulted in the collision," he said.
He added that Heer is now self-employed as a photographer and has been hit hard by the pandemic. Heer is normally law-abiding and this incident was an anomaly, his lawyer added.
The judge found that the harm caused in this case "is not insignificant" but agreed that Heer's culpability is low. She considered his plea of guilt and compensation given in sentencing him to a S$2,000 fine. She allowed Heer to pay his fine in instalments by end-July.
For causing hurt by a negligent act endangering human life, he could have been jailed up to six months, fined up to S$2,500, or both.

 

[mojito]

Hooligans! Now if a motorbike group moved around like this police will be called!

 

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Cyclist fined for punching lorry driver in road rage incident along Jalan Eunos​

On Feb 24, 2019, Jeffrey Todd Martin punched Zhang Ping in the face, causing Zhang to fall.

Jeffery Todd Martin pleaded guilty to one count each of voluntarily causing hurt and riding his bicycle without due regard for the safety of others

David Sun

Jun 10, 2021


SINGAPORE - A cyclist who punched a lorry driver in a road rage incident was fined $5,600 on Thursday (June 10).
Jeffery Todd Martin, 57, a Canadian and a Singapore permanent resident, pleaded guilty to one count each of voluntarily causing hurt and riding his bicycle without due regard for the safety of others.
At about 10.20am on Feb 24, 2019, Martin was cycling in Jalan Eunos when a lorry overtook him.
He later overtook the lorry, pointing at the driver as he did so, and stopped in the middle of the lane in front of the vehicle.
This caused the lorry to stop amid moving traffic.
Martin got off his bike and hit the driver's window, hurling vulgarities at the driver as he did so.

The lorry driver, Chinese national Zhang Ping, 33, then moved his vehicle sharply towards Martin, forcing him to step away.
Zhang alighted from the lorry, holding an orange flask as he approached Martin.
Once confronted, Martin punched him in the face, causing Zhang to fall.
Martin later cycled away as Zhang remained in a daze sitting on the road.

Zhang suffered cuts on his lips as a result of the punch, and was given medical leave for two days.
He was previously dealt with, and was jailed for a week for one count of a rash act endangering others.
A 30-second video of the incident had gone viral after the incident in 2019, and Zhang had been arrested within 48 hours.
The same video was played in court on Thursday.
After playing the video for the court, Deputy Public Prosecutor Emily Koh said the prosecution would not be pushing for a custodial sentence, as the attack was one of low harm and culpability.
District Judge Brenda Tan noted that prior to the punch, it was Zhang who had come out from the vehicle to confront Martin.
She said that while the custodial threshold had not been crossed, a high fine was warranted.

For voluntarily causing hurt, Martin could have been jailed for up to two years on top of the maximum $5,000 fine he received for the charge.
For not riding his bicycle in an orderly manner with due regard for the safety of others, he could have been jailed for up to three months and fined up to $1,000.

 

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[Hypocrite-The]

View attachment 113858

View attachment 113859

Now just have to wait for the cycling terrorists to say if get hit by car lagi worst

 

[syed putra]

I cycle solo at my own pace
Its difficult to give a hand signal when cycling. So best to cycle early morning sunday when traffic is low.

 

[eatshitndie]

I cycle solo at my own pace
Its difficult to give a hand signal when cycling. So best to cycle early morning sunday when traffic is low.

when it cums to giving the middle finger signal, everyone will find it easy and make all efforts to show it.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Now just have to wait for the cycling terrorists to say if get hit by car lagi worst

Also waiting for someone to say, for the umpteenth time, that bicycles (and PMDs) have not killed anyone!

 

[Leongsam]

I don't know what the fuss is about because more cyclists are killed by motorists than there are motorists killed by cyclists.