Taking up cycling - some early steps

[scroobal]

I know there is a debate going on but having seen this activity taking on in a major way in many cities thought this thread will help.

Motivation:
1) Sport
2) Improve health
3) Mode of transport - cost and convenience
4) Love the outdoors
5) Combination of any of the above

Risks
1) do not know how to cycle
2) don't know the highway code
3) do not how motorised drivers normally react
4) unable to estimate turning angle of heavy or articulated vehicle.
5) crazy and inconsiderate drivers.

How to Start
1) get a cheap mountain bike for less than $150 from cycle shop or supermarket. Do not invest in any more expensive will explain why later .
2. Ride only your neighbourhood to get a feel and on pavements or carpark.

More to follow. Others please add.

 

[peppertail]

- Do not stinge on essential accessories like a helmet and proper footwork.
- Ensure the bicycle is roadworthy eg. working lights, tire threads/pressure, reflectors, moving parts are lubricated.

 

[kryonlight]

Requisites to cycling on the roads ...

1) Get a COE for your bicycle from LTA.
2) Pay the road tax and insurance for your bicycle.
3) Register your bicycle for a number plate.
4) Install braking and signalling lights for your bicycle.
5) Inspection of your bicycle every 3 months at VICOM or other inspection centres.

Safety requires a price!

 

[watchman8]

When on the road, the fingers must be glued to both set of brakes. Saved my life a few times because I managed to brake in time as vehicles made sudden turns.

 

[watchman8]

Requisites to cycling on the roads ...

1) Get a COE for your bicycle from LTA.
2) Pay the road tax and insurance for your bicycle.
3) Register your bicycle for a number plate.
4) Install braking and signalling lights for your bicycle.
5) Inspection of your bicycle every 3 months at VICOM or other inspection centres.

Safety requires a price!

Road tax does not mean you own the roads. It merely pays for damages that your motor vehicle does to the road.

Insurance is compulsory for third party damages and injuries, because your motor vehicles can very easily kill or maim.

Inspection of vehicle is important because of the massive amount of damage your vehicle traveling at 90kmh can cause. A bicycle at top speed can't even damage a lamp post.

If you can't even understand the logic of the laws governing vehicles, then I suggest you should stick to public transport or walk.

 

[erection2015]

i practise this myself....the added advantage is that if you have to brake quickly you would be less likely to brake too hard and lose your balance.

When on the road, the fingers must be glued to both set of brakes. Saved my life a few times because I managed to brake in time as vehicles made sudden turns.

 

[kryonlight]

If you can't even understand the logic of the laws governing vehicles, then I suggest you should stick to public transport or walk.

You are the one who doesn't understand. A bicycle can also kill or maim a pedestrian on a zebra crossing or traffic junction. Inspection for vehicles also includes inspection of your brakes and signaling systems. A bicycle with a faulty brake system can cause accidents on the road.

What a naive watchman!

 

[Clone]

Road tax does not mean you own the roads. It merely pays for damages that your motor vehicle does to the road.

Insurance is compulsory for third party damages and injuries, because your motor vehicles can very easily kill or maim.

Inspection of vehicle is important because of the massive amount of damage your vehicle traveling at 90kmh can cause. A bicycle at top speed can't even damage a lamp post.

If you can't even understand the logic of the laws governing vehicles, then I suggest you should stick to public transport or walk.

So if a cyclist crashed into my car, who can I claim for damages? Sue the cyclist?

 

[watchman8]

You are the one who doesn't understand. A bicycle can also kill or maim a pedestrian on a zebra crossing or traffic junction. Inspection for vehicles also includes inspection of your brakes and signaling systems. A bicycle with a faulty brake system can cause accidents on the road.

What a naive watchman!

Name me a case of pedestrian killed by cyclist in sg. Also go look up the ratio of padestrian road kills by cyclists versus motor vehicles.

There should be a minimum IQ score to qualify for driving license.

 

[watchman8]

So if a cyclist crashed into my car, who can I claim for damages? Sue the cyclist?

The chance of that happening is the same as pedestrians "damaging" your precious. You want pedestrians, kids on skate boards etc to buy compulsory insurance too?

 

[looneytan]

know the extent of park connector network in your area
my area in the west, so far can only come up to buena vista no further than that

 

[enterprise2]

I do all my cycling in the gym!

 

[kryonlight]

Name me a case of pedestrian killed by cyclist in sg. Also go look up the ratio of padestrian road kills by cyclists versus motor vehicles.

Comparing statistics doesn't mean anything. The thing is a bicycle can be a killing machine just like the motor vehicle. This reason alone is enough for the requirement of buying insurance for bicycles that travel on the roads.

 

[Clone]

The chance of that happening is the same as pedestrians "damaging" your precious. You want pedestrians, kids on skate boards etc to buy compulsory insurance too?

What are the chances? Can you be more specific? In % terms please.

I wanna know how lucky I was.

 

[watchman8]

What are the chances? Can you be more specific? In % terms please.

I wanna know how lucky I was.

0.000%. Don't believe go ask your insurer. The chance of vandals scratching your precious in hdb or condo car parks is infinitely higher.

 

[kryonlight]

The chance of that happening is the same as pedestrians "damaging" your precious. You want pedestrians, kids on skate boards etc to buy compulsory insurance too?

What a lame argument! Pedestrians don't run or walk on the roads. If they do that, you better call the traffic police. You will also need to call the traffic police if kids suddenly start skate boarding on the roads.

 

[peppertail]

Comparing statistics doesn't mean anything. The thing is a bicycle can be a killing machine just like the motor vehicle. This reason alone is enough for the requirement of buying insurance for bicycles that travel on the roads.

Insurance risks/premiums are based on statistics. They mean everything.

 

[kryonlight]

Insurance risks/premiums are based on statistics. They mean everything.

What is the statistics for HDB flats catching fire?

 

[watchman8]

What a lame argument! Pedestrians don't run or walk on the roads. If they do that, you better call the traffic police. You will also need to call the traffic police if kids suddenly start skate boarding on the roads.

Pedestrians don't venture on roads? Ever been to a traffic junction, little India, geylang etc? Or been to a car park with kids fooling around?

 

[peppertail]

What is the statistics for HDB flats catching fire?

I don't know. Google it.