Safe Cycling

Safe cycling campaign launched 
By S Ramesh | Posted: 18 December 2010 1532 hrs


SINGAPORE: More efforts are being made in Singapore to promote cycling in a safe environment.

This was conveyed through the OCBC Safe Cycling Campaign launched on Saturday, in which 9,000 cyclist will be taking part.

The key message of the campaign is "1.5M Matters. Share the Road". 

Observing the safe distance of 1.5 metres from each other and obeying traffic rules would enable both cyclists and motorists to enjoy a safe journey on the roads. 

The month-long campaign will see some 50,000 car decals and 2,000 cycling jerseys being distributed.

The campaign aims to raise the awareness of the need for both cyclists and motorists to respect each other and share the roads. 

Organisers say safe cycling on public roads can be achieved as long as both parties play their part in observing traffic rules and keeping a safe distance from each other. 

OCBC Safe Cycling Campaign organiser Chris Robb said people in other cities in the world overcome climate challenges of cycling. 

"You hear stories about London where there are thousands of people cycling to work in (the) freezing cold; in snow, rain, and if they can do it those conditions, why can't we do it here in Singapore? 

"Get to work half an hour early, have a shower cool down and go to work," he said.

Comments: Such campaign are reminders to people that safety should always come first before anything but how effective is it? At places near housing estate, there is no path for cyclist to ride and yet the path is so small. Some people do not not even have a bell to ring to alert others they want to pass by and just zoom by you giving you a shock.. Such things are not part of being considerate and observing the rules.  Therefore, i feel that the government should let more people know about the rules and where cyclist should ride at such places. As there is not cycling pavement, people will just ride anywhere they want and accidents may happen. Such rules are like the unwritten rules which many will not know or may be forget after a while. If the government really wants to take actions, they should enforce the rule properly so that everyone knows, and when people breaks the rules and get caught, they cannot deny it and will remember it. This way, it serves as a warning to others and people will not dare to try it, thinking that they will not get caught. 

Clement Juan