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Dec 23, 2009
Move out of Tampines Central and cyclists behave differently
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I REFER to the report, 'Tampines set to be first cycling town (Dec 14)'. Having lived in Tampines for a year, I agree that the widened footpaths have allowed cyclists and pedestrians to co-exist safely.
In the busy streets adjacent to the town centre, cyclists appear to be well-behaved, possibly because the heavy traffic makes abiding by the rules a rational choice for self-preservation.
On the other hand, move out to the area between Bedok Reservoir and Tampines, and it is a completely different situation.
Cyclists move around like pedestrians or vehicles depending on traffic conditions. If it is more efficient to cross the road at a pedestrian crossing, they ride happily across, when they should get down and push. If it is in their favour to cross the road as a vehicle, they go along with other vehicles.
The bridge across the canal that divides Tampines and Bedok Reservoir clearly shows a sign requiring cyclists to get down and push: I have seen only two women do so this year. One evening, a cyclist nearly knocked down my then pregnant wife on this narrow bridge.
Many cyclists have no understanding of traffic rules. At cross roads not governed by traffic lights, cars tend to stop (however momentarily) at the clearly labelled stop line before making a turn, while cyclists cycle on, oblivious to the fact that they can easily be missed when a motorist checks his blind spot.
Tampines Central may be a haven for cyclists and pedestrians, but more can be done in the peripheral areas - and the rest of Singapore - in terms of education, vigilance, surveillance and a concerted enforcement of the law to avoid unnecessary accidents.
Fong Sau Shung
Move out of Tampines Central and cyclists behave differently
<!-- by line --><!-- end by line -->
<!-- end left side bar --><!-- story content : start -->
I REFER to the report, 'Tampines set to be first cycling town (Dec 14)'. Having lived in Tampines for a year, I agree that the widened footpaths have allowed cyclists and pedestrians to co-exist safely.
In the busy streets adjacent to the town centre, cyclists appear to be well-behaved, possibly because the heavy traffic makes abiding by the rules a rational choice for self-preservation.
On the other hand, move out to the area between Bedok Reservoir and Tampines, and it is a completely different situation.
Cyclists move around like pedestrians or vehicles depending on traffic conditions. If it is more efficient to cross the road at a pedestrian crossing, they ride happily across, when they should get down and push. If it is in their favour to cross the road as a vehicle, they go along with other vehicles.
The bridge across the canal that divides Tampines and Bedok Reservoir clearly shows a sign requiring cyclists to get down and push: I have seen only two women do so this year. One evening, a cyclist nearly knocked down my then pregnant wife on this narrow bridge.
Many cyclists have no understanding of traffic rules. At cross roads not governed by traffic lights, cars tend to stop (however momentarily) at the clearly labelled stop line before making a turn, while cyclists cycle on, oblivious to the fact that they can easily be missed when a motorist checks his blind spot.
Tampines Central may be a haven for cyclists and pedestrians, but more can be done in the peripheral areas - and the rest of Singapore - in terms of education, vigilance, surveillance and a concerted enforcement of the law to avoid unnecessary accidents.
Fong Sau Shung
