Workplace was about 11km away. Taking public transport of bus, train->train, bus/walk takes around 55 mins, doorstep to doorstep. Cycling using PCN and road took around 40~45 mins, eventually 25-35mins once I built my fitness, got more comfortable riding on roads and upgraded to a road bike. Tried commuting that way for a whole year and it was a liberating experience, not to mention the great benefits for health.
After going on a study exchange in Rotterdam for 5 months and using a bicycle everywhere I go, the one major difference is that the weather here is too damn hot for me. And it also helps that on every roads, there is a dedicated bike lane there.
sg cant compare with netherland, netherland is the most cyclist friendly country. They are the best at it. SG government simply do not dedicate the same amount of money and effort to improve cyclist life, much of singapore west side are still not cyclist friendly.
Its better in sg, in jakarta we have hot climate plus pollution hahaha, but fortunately the former governor had been building some great infrastrusture for cyclist either its for recreational purpose or commuting
On some days it is a bit hot in the sun, but as long as I keep moving the bike there is the wind ... that helps. Wear a cap or bicycle helmet and some thin, moisture wicking T.
This was the best short documentary I’ve ever watched on cycle commuting. It was great that a novice did it instead of some jacked up extreme cyclist that’s being doing for 10 plus years. I’ve been commuting to work for about 11 years and the first months were difficult and you convey perfectly what it’s like when first starting. Well done and this channel has now gained a subscriber.
the bike seat height, gear change and power efficiency are very essential when it comes to cycling. clearly the bikes Matilda has used are mainly single speed and heavy.
@@SeanHogan_frijole That was what I thought at first since I was using the rental bikes everywhere, until l got my own bike with proper gears and lighter weight, I would estimate I was travelling around 1.5x faster due to the ability to increase my gear to move fast through PCN, and then keep on a low gear for urban cycling which has minor slopes of 5-10degs but even that was quite brutal on a rental to cycle through. A good balance for cycling in SG is probably foldable bikes if you want to do it as a daily commute (in the worst case scenario it rains) - though poor bike infrastructure does mean sometimes bumpy roads that hurt your ass with the lack of suspension on foldies.
Take a look at the bikes the Dutchies are using. These are proper commuter bikes. They know. Tiny 16 or 20 inch wheels are only for very short commutes, and these heavy iron lumps to rent are neeeee neeeee to me.
Was really enthusiastic about cycling to work especially around NS; since peak fitness means no issue with distance ~15km. So, gave this a try. But there were times where this gets really dangerous especially for stretches where you are forced to be on the roads with rowdy drivers…
Especially, when the government actively put several roadblocks to discourage Singaporeans from owning a car. I guess when the country is so rich, half of the population has money to spend on cars. This is what we got.
I am surprised that the government does not support 2-wheelers more. Not only bicycles but also motorbikes, and then in particular those with electric drive. It seems the planning is mostly to make people either use public transport or a luxury car.
I am an avid Anywheel cyclist lmao, you can get their pass then you can ride for free for under 30min. Biggest pain is to find the bikes and parking spots (don't trust their GPS and the app lags too).To me, cycling is only for short distances
Yep i agree Only just a few issues when comes to rental bikes Trying to find one is kind hard to get one when everyone on one of those days, everyone uses one Its hard even find one in thst situation And aslo some people has a love-hate relationship with bikes Cause some of these bikes get trashed a lot by users As for foldables, i do own one myself Few issues to deal with First maintence Cause those chains don't work properly if not clean properly Second those bikes can cost like a few hunded to a thousand dollars to own one Not really a transport option for the low class citizens to use or own But its still better that these options still a thing, For short distances, for sure quite good, better if your home is not to far to your destination and not more than 10 mins for that ride For journeys longer than 30mins and that destination is too far for riding I would rather take the bus or train for that matter. Still cheap aslo no need to carry a bike everywhere with you😅😅
@@gwarguraqueentrickstarcoat9110 if you want to ride for more than 30mins, can you park halfway then get the bike again to restart the timer? Then it's still free!
I tried this for 3 months! Helps that I was in between jobs during that period so timing was more flexible to avoid peak hours. Some tips to make it more feasible. 1. Bag attached to bike with extra t shirt and towel (carrying a backpack is always a bad idea as it'll trap heat and cause u to sweat.) 2. Shower before going out so u don't feel sticky if you do sweat a bit 3. Cheap bike with decent gears and full size wheels. Fumbling around find a secure place to lock is actually when I sweat the most. Being able to lock anywhere and not worry if it gets stolen helps! People always say our weather doesn't permit cycling, but a 5 min walk in the sun is worst than a 5 min cycle and it's open up so many more options of food and places where ever you live.
and now you have those leg muscles! I don't live in a place where the whether is as warm as singapore so I let my bike hibernate for a few months, but once it gets nice out it feels like I can easily do a 20 km ride. when I started I could barely do 5! it's a pretty big adaptation curve but once you got it, you got it.
Tried the backpack when I first bike commute, that didn't last long. They do make racks and bike bags for such purpose. The weather thing doesn't bother me either.
For most people, cycling the whole distance between places is unfeasible (as demonstrated from the first few days). Cycling as a first & last mile mode of transportation would be the option for most people (as Vareck mentioned in 14:39). I think using a personal bike is feasible only if you're travelling within your town - you need to bring it around wherever you go, so it's inconvenient for long trips (as shown by the multi-modal challenge). So bike-sharing would be the best option - you can get on and get off pretty much anywhere you like, and you don't have to bring the bike around. Cost-wise, it really depends on how often you use it - in the video, Matilda used the charge-per-ride option (which is currently $1/30 mins for both Anywheel & HelloRide), so it can add up pretty quickly. A better option would have been to purchase their passes, which allow you to have unlimited rides.
Nah it totally depends on your fitness. I do 100km rides weekly and have done round the island 160km plenty of times so cycling from east to west or north to south is no big deal. The only problem is when you got so into cycling, you sold your cheap commute bike and bought a $10,000 one and you start to feel reluctant to just park it anywhere 😂.
@@bingbing3464 I wouldn't use a 10K bike as a daily commuter. There are cheaper options that will accommodate the daily beating and grinds. Costs to maintain and upkeep is high not to mention about it being stolen or damage.
When I used to live in Copenhagen using bikes as first and last mile transport was super convenient as their trains had entire carriages that allowed you to bring on full sized bikes, not just foldables. Although the population density is much less than Singapore.
If you think about it, making a city bicycle friendly will make the city easier to travel, citizens will also be happier with bicycle friendly infrastructure that is safe and traffic flow of bicycles are very smooth, and that will also encourage more people to start families too.
As a commuter who uses public transport and Anywheel shared bikes for cycling, a Bicycle Pass can go a long way for making cycling a lot cheaper. I was very fortunate that I got the 360 day pass for $66.66 some time back as part of their 6th anniversary sale, which makes the charge for the first 30 minutes free and then $0.50/30 mins afterwards. If you do a lot of short last-mile commutes, you accumulate points which can be used to redeem $1 ride coupons. This would effectively make additional trips under 90 minutes long free. In 60-90 minutes you can easily travel within a 10 km radius (i.e. between the city and Clementi/Ang Mo Kio/Hougang/Bedok), which is good enough for many short-to-medium distance commutes in Singapore! Possibly even time competitive if the public transport alternative requires multiple transfers.
My commutes used to be multi-modal as well for a few years, but instead of using a bike, I was on my electic skateboard. I could ride my board to the nearest MRT station, pick up my board and get on the train, get off and plop my board down and ride the rest of the way to work/school with ease. Having a small and compact device (compared to a foldable bike) made both the transition onto and the time spent on public transport so seamless and pleasant, not only for me but probably for other commuters as well. As someone who has also biked around a whole lot for transport and leisure, the benefits of electric devices (e-skates and PMDs in general) do quell some of the hesitations that someone might have for a more active mode of transport. You aren''t gonna be worried about things like getting to work tired and sweaty, how fast you are able to pedal, how far you are capable of going before hitting your physical limit etc. These points also lead to the biggest sell of electric devices to me, the ability to allow more people to get into an active mode of transport irregardless of their physical capability/health issues. At a point of my life, I was able to cycle decently long distances with some effort, but because of circumstances, I'm unable to do so nowadays without a very condiserable amount of effort. But when I found out about e-skates, I was able to get back outside again and enjoy some of the benefits of active transport without needing to spend much effort. Getting to enjoy the scenery of the parks, the fresh air, the sun exposure, all of these contribute a heck of a lot towards one's mental health. Unfortunately because my boards aren't compliant with the new laws, namely the battery restrictions, I have since stopped riding as much. As for others, the new laws that have come up because of all the errant riders have basically halted adoption of electric devices for everyday transport. A portion of those who were already riding complied with the new requirements while the rest gave up entirely. I do believe that the rise of PMDs in Singapore came too early, as evident by the irresponsible behaviour that some riders had, and it's good that the government decided to step in and said enough is enough to save more lives. But if Singapore really wants to go car-lite by whatever their target was, the laws with regards to personal electric vehicles should be relooked into, the infrastructure has to be improved, and more people should be educated on how to ride safely and responsibly. These changes not only affect electric riders, but also regular cyclists as well. Better roads to ride on, clearer rules with regards to how people can ride, a much better transport experience for everyone on the road in general.
I'd like to think Singapore has great potential to become a cyclists friendly nation. Unfortunately, the biggest hurdle to be overcome is people's mindset: 1. Motorists need to remind themselves that they don't own the roads, even though they had paid a lot for COE to drive the car, that doesn't mean they are the only people allowed to use the roads. 2. Pedestrians need to understand that not all cyclists ride bikes for fun or for showing off. There are people who use the bike to get to places. 3. Cyclists of course need to remind themselves it will take time (if not forever) for above two groups of people to come to terms about sharing the roads and sidewalk. Unfortunately no amount of money or technology can help achieve the above.
Typical arrogant cyclist talking. Cyclists first and foremost must understand you are too slow on the road and too fast on the pavement. Then perhaps there is a chance to co exist.
@@nnnnn8173most cyclists are also drivers. Too many drivers in SG thanks to the COE have a warped sense of entitlement that looks down on ‘less worthy’ road users.
There are many factors when it comes to using cycling as a mean of commute; where you live, availability of cycling infra (PCNs) and the type of bike you own. A hybrid (bike + public transport) would be more feasible method, where you ride to the mrt, fold up your bike and bring it with you onto the mrt and afterwards cycle another 5 mins to the office. I live in Kovan and I prefer to travel to nearby places (Hougang, Serangoon gardens, Serangoon North, Kovan hawker center) by bicycle because taking public transport would take far longer and also carparks are usually full during lunch hour, hence it's must easier to park my bike, eat/tapao then cycle home.
From kembangan towards chaichee, that uphill dam xiong . First few weeks will be a challenge, after that will be very enjoyable. Instead of riding to work, just try riding back home. When riding on the road, you got to be very defensive and alert; side mirror is a must have. There are many angry and impatience drivers and also many blur and careless cyclist. There was a few times when i actually did a count when i went cycling with my toddler son (on baby chair). While waiting and trying to push the bicycle across a ZEBRA CROSSING, 7-8cars went by with no intention of giving way. Yes it can be that bad. But it is what it is, especially during peak hours, everyone wants to go home fast.
I have been riding to work for the last year or so and the rides home when there is no rush to be somewhere is just really amazing. Anyway, we stay in the same area and I would recommend you to go by Chai Chee Street so that you do not up the hill at Decathlon. That path is so steep and the path is so bumpy, hence the other way may be a bit longer but it's an easier ride. Furthermore, at Paya Lebar where the PCN kinda veers off the straight route to Aljunied, I would turn right rather than go straight get to Aljunied. The paths there are easier to cycle rather than going through the shophouse areas. I would also recommend a trifold bicycle because when it rains or you're just not feeling it, it would be much easier to carry the bike onto public transportation and head home with the bike. It was my greatest consideration when I decided to buy a bike. You can also do mixed commute because of how portable it is. You can also park the bike under your desk and not worry about leaving it outside and having it get stolen. Of course a good trifold is not cheap, but you could start off buying a cheap second hand one off Carousell and once you get into the lifestyle and enjoy the health and mental health benefits, invest in a good one. That's when you die die also must cycle since u paid so much for it and once it becomes a habit, it's hard to stop. The dopamine hit when you leisurely ride back is enough to make you want to ride. On my days off, I will still want to take the bike out for a spin even just to go down to the market for a meal. Have fun riding and let me know if you want to have a feel of riding a trifold. We can meet at the multi-purpose hall down below and you can have a test ride. Cheers!
@@predatorhelios8633if u go on the roads, then yes those with big wheels are good. But if u’re on pavements most of the time, smaller wheeled bikes are more nimble and easier to manoeuvre through human traffic. And furthermore, i can just fold up and take a taxi home if i have a flat tyre or if it rains. I personally value time and convenience over speed so trifold suits me better.
I bike around 8000km a year, and love commuting to work on my bike when I can, but it's definitely not as convenient as driving. It's fantastic for people with regular office type jobs and getting your exercise in every day without having to fit it into your schedule. If I lived in a big city, I would make it my default mode of transportation.
Tip is to check if there is a good bike parking and get your own bike, set it up to be a dedicated commuter bike with paniers for your stuff and good gear ratio to pedal you with less effort and faster. Rather than rent a random bike which is usually set up to be really slow and heavy
That car literally horn for F, in the wrong still horn. Driver forgotten that they are to slow down and stop to give way regardless its zebra crossing.
@@winters4960 wow seem like your QDL is expired or fake, during your TP TEST if you failed to stop and give way when turning left you will be awarded 10 points or imediate failure depending on tester observation. dont come tell me behind vehicle come bang you or what, thats is the back vehicle fault for not keeping a lookout.
Been cycIing since the start of Covid, I ride a Giant Roam 2 2020 hybrid bicycle and stays in Punggol, work in Jalan Permimpin which is near Marymount MRT, each journey takes 1hr to reach, saved around $80 per month on public transport and I get to exercise at the same time. I see it as a win win. The only downside is the weather which changes constantly all the time.
I commute cycle in SG (I took it from Dublin, was very common there). It's not so much how fit you are (I am actually overweight and cycling helps not to get worse). Aside from willingness, the feasibility of it is really how are the roads between home and work. I work in tanjog pagar and used to live in katong. That was relatively short and easy (8km, 25mins). Moved to Toa Payoh for a while and the distance was not much more, but omg the roads from Ballestier to CBD are bad for cycling. Also doesn't help that Toa Payoh is surrounded by expressways with few crossing points out walking or cycling. I stay now in Tanah Merah and it's the same time than from toa payoh (45mins) despite being much longer in (15km). Tips, if you have long stretches with no traffic lights or much traffic, a road bike is best (I use it if I go along East coast park). If you need to navigate roads with lots of traffic and lights (bedok, east coast road) a small foldie is best. Either way need a shower at the end. Take it as your day work out (is about 1200 cals both ways for me). For general use, go makan/dabao, groceries, meeting friends, foldable bike is best. And you can put in MRT bus or taxi for longer distance, rainy day or ehem , drinking but too much. PS: weather is not that bad. I don't really get much rain days. Wear sleevelesst loose clothing for conmuting, may slow down a few seconds if you are racing but helps transpiring a lot
Hi Matilda, an interesting experiment I must say. Thank you for your effort. I used to bicycle to school in Penang where I grew up. This was in the early '60s. No helmets, no special lanes, no MRT. Only buses, taxis and trishaws as alternative modes of transport or just plain walking. But bicycling was an adventure for me. And a personal challenge too. The other barrier was the humidity and heat. I also once organised an outstation ride during the long school vacation, with my scout friends from Penang, northwards to near the thai border, then down the central spine of Malaya, exiting to the main trunk road before Ipoh and back towards Penang again. This was a main trunk roads , with large vehicles passing by. Thankfully, nothing happened. These days, I drive a SUV or walk. But I would still ride a bicycle if I have one. cheers, see you some day in Sg. ! Michael
I’ve biked through Chicago winters, you can do a wet seat. Proper clothing and luggage is a must. Also, to make this more feasible, you would benefit more from your own bike than a bike share option.
E-bikes are also another option, especially if you are well experienced with cycling & road laws since our PCN infrastructure is still underdeveloped, you may need to use the road. The best part is it's effortless and you sweat less, but I would still only recommend it if your office provides showering facilities cause SG is just too hot and no one wants to start work sweaty 😉 Not all E-bikes are meant for food delivery, and you can use them for commuting as well (saw one dude zipping through the cbd roads on an E-bike before), and I foresee more people adopting cycling as a greener and more economical method for their commute!
The average motorist in Singapore is a self-entitled chauvinist with little to no regard for others other than self. Perhaps this is an externality of high COE prices that make them feel like they stand on higher ground over pedestrians and cyclists. Perhaps it is the elitist attitude of those well off enough to drive. Unless the government commits to carving out land to build dedicated cyclist lanes, I will not feel safe cycling. If only local civic hood would prevail such that dependency on government intervention is not always the only way...
Exactly this. After coming back from China it’s amazing the cycling difference. Dedicated lanes and not only that. Even though there is a bit of organized chaos, there is no ego. No driver is trying to honk or run over you. They are driving carefully and sharing the road. I agree with your coe assessment. You pay so much your sentiment is jealousy of anyone else who can use it. Despite everyone taxes pay for the road. The infrastructure is absolutely laughable in Singapore who touts as a green city. Go to any other city in the world. And cities that converted lanes to cycling lanes during the pandemic. Seriously there is barely any traffic in sg compared to other countries. In fact more traffic may prevent more cars more than the cost of coe will prevent more cars. They should take 1 lane out of the road for use by bus, pmd, cycling only. It’s a chicken egg thing where people don’t bother to adopt eco transport because there is no infrastructure. The whole pmd situation was born to fail from the beginning with no thought at all to it. The pcn is an actual joke of fragmented modified sidewalks. People need a cycling lane on the road if they want a mode of transport. Pcn is more of a leisure path that shares with pedestrians who also don’t like cyclists. lol What a hot mess. Anyway we know the garment isn’t serious because pcn is not the solution.
Idiots think cycle lane is the solution to every problem. Never consider junctions every 50m or 100m when slow bikers crisscross with fast turning motor traffic.
I used to cycle everyday to school be it rain or not. From Toa payoh to SUSS took me about 1 hr usually. I didnt mind being exhausted and sweaty as the school compound is very cooling. I kinda miss those days. I am at my fittest back then. I think there is some learning curve to commuting via bicycle. You have to look out for blind spot, avoiding pedestrian and vehicles. Pot holes and slippery uneven surface also present some challenge. Over time, The route to your place will shorten as you find shortcuts . it become safer as you familiarise the route and become more enjoyable.
You guys have one of the best train systems in the world. I've been there before. Even the bus works great. So yeah, I can't blame anyone if they don't bike there.
I think if you really want to incorporate cycling into your commute, even sometimes, I would recommend owning your own bike. I am sure you can find second hand bike for cheap. As for wet weather, you can keep a rain coat or basic rain poncho in your bike bag or purse to always have protection in case you happen to be caught by the rain. I cycle every day no matter the weather and of course it's not always optimal if you happen to forget rain gear and it starts raining, but the Dutch say - you're not sugar, you won't melt.
Ha! That's so cool. I came across Vareck's video from Melbourne where I live, and subscribed to his channel, and I thought I just randomly got recommended this video because of the mutual topic of cycling in Singapore, but actually he's a guest in this one too!
Tampines revamped drive in shell station used to have a little resting area for commuters and cyclists. But when covid starts they stopped opening up the place. Maybe used LTA subsidies to do it up but now stopped offering it up for usage. Fyi LTA.
I just cycle everywhere because waiting for public transport pisses me off. Which ends up also making cycling faster. 5km to university took only like 15 min I think. 11 min to get there but I need to park and walk to the lecture theatre. Bus takes like 30min. Even after the pcn was shut from the landslide it still took about the same time. Plus since the whole way was by road after that and I didn't need to go on pavement at all I could take my road bike instead and then it was even less time since I could go faster down slopes. But anyways, 1 day I took public transport to see how much it would cost and my god public transport is expensive. Sure my bikes are kinda expensive but the running costs are low and I cycle 250km a week for fun anyways. When it's not raining at least. I would say not to use a foldable bike, that's mainly only useful if you use public transport part way. It's much better to use a mountain bike, the bigger wheels and suspension help to roll over obstacles. Or a city bike but that's not common in Singapore. If your route is like 90% road then a road bike would be good. But those are quite uncomfortable. Idm the cars being near me, it was scary for maybe the first half an hour, after that, I frankly stopped caring even when those big trucks are right next to me. Probably dangerous but I don't really care anymore. If you ride enough you'll be fast enough to beat the MRT most places since MRT routes sometimes go in a very roundabout way. It takes more than an hour to get from Clementi MRT to MBS by MRT but only 45min by bicycle. I just bring extra clothes if it's raining.
As for saving carbon, CO2, electric motors are more efficient than human muscles. Without support, on a normal road bike (you’re riding rather inefficient ones), you emit about 17g/km. With about 120W support on an ebike, you’d (both) emit 8g/km (depending on how electricity is produced in SG). There’s no round-trip mode of transportation that beats it (other than optimizing cycling by going for a recumbent).
I bet my country is at the bottom of the list, so I was envious of the infrastructure you have in SG when I rode the hello ride bikes out there. I have been bike commuting and leisure biking in my country for 6 years so biking in SG was calming, a breath of fresh air, less stressful than in the cities in my country, except in the province, but then in the province you have cargo trucks to deal with. Most of the bike lanes in SG are 2-3x wider than in my country. Yes the ride sharing bike used in this video is heavy but i'm used to it since my first bike was steel, my 2nd is alluminum which I still use today, while my third is a lightweight giant roadie alloy with carbon fork in it, the easiest to bike to commute on.
the point about having a road license is a good one. Actually i think Basic theory should be taught in primary/secondary schools just because everyone uses the roads and should know how drivers think and to check blind spots more often.
Lots of improvements possible. Cycle-to-work purchase incentrive programs to help people afford a bike. Bike parking facility that are actually sheltered because Singapore's weather essentially makes it a rust-my-bike city. Plant more trees. For all its talk about being a green city, I see more decorative trees than trees that actually provide shade over pedestrian and bicycle paths. Actual protected bike lanes on the roads of Orchard, CBD and downtown areas. Right now, there is no good cycling path to get from east to west, or into the city. So the easiest way to expand the cycling network is to hijack existing road networks. Ultimately, cycling infrastucture should be less about some internal green KPI (it feels like that sometimes), and actually providing people with viable commute alternatives. We already have a higher barrier to entry in terms of hot weather, unpredictable rain, lack of workplace cycling facilities and unsufficient sheltered space to store bikes (think tiny HDB spaces). So SG needs to do even better than the world's best cycling cities if we want to reach even just half of their cycling population by proportion.
The weather and where to park safely in the CBD are the main off-putting factors for cycling into the office. SG is really making some great cycling infrastructure though. The PCN is amazing and only getting better with every year.
Reminds me of 2014-2018 when I was living in Phoenix and purposefully sold my car and moto to get out there from NY state. Cycled for almost 5 years straight, no car; miss it quite a bit. Also, i was enticed by the biking part of the vid and you got me hooked with the Ithaca shirt. Close to home! If you're ever back there, visit Binghamton, let's ride!
This was amazing! I wish I lived in a city where I could cycle for my errands. I live in rural Texas so it’s a 14 mile ride to the nearest grocery store through highway traffic for 11 of this miles in 105 degree heat. Hopefully I can move into town soon
Triathlete: Commuting shopping, work basically everywhere using a bicycle is great & the PCN is becoming more convenient & safe. Now my wife & I use cycling almost exclusively, my wife failed her car driving test so getting her to feel comfortable using the road(occasionally where pedestrian paths are not convenient or safe) I decided to ride everywhere with her. There are many safety blind spots for the inexperienced rider that are second nature to veteran cyclist one that comes to mind include, see a truck waiting to pull out of a construction site onto the road, if you are cycling the pedestrian walk DO NOT ride in front of the truck the driver can't see you from his high cabin, yes my wife was riding in front of me & rode in front of the truck & it started to move, I had to yell as loud as I could and ram my bike into the truck and slap my hand on the door to save my wife who was on the ground. yes we are still together
I’d say that as a long term investment purely from a financial perspective, a basic $600 road bike from would take a few years to recoup costs, though maintenance is cheap, at most new chains, lubricant and brake pads From a health perspective it is great, trains your cardiovascular system and leg muscles
For me, sharing roads with cars is not a problem. Being horned by angry driver is not a problem. Things blocking the bike lane is not a problem. SG wether is not a problem. (I love hot weather and the rain in sg is always predictable) that is why I love cycling in sg. For three years I have been using my bike as my main form of transport. With the experience of doing the same in Germany and China, I would not agree with the global bicycle cities index ranking as it has not consider other important factors such as crime rate in a city. I have never worried about my bike being stolen in Singapore, and sometimes I even forget to lock it in public, for three years, nothing happens. But in Germany, even with 3 locks on my bike and parked in a dedicated bike parking rack, there's still people tried to break my locks and steal my bike, the bike was damaged in the process but luckily it was still there. Nothing else matters when your bike got stolen...
Keep it up. Gradually you improve onto it. Bike handling practices, route of taking, flexibility, on bike ride experiences gaining for each time, and many many aspects.
It's interesting how even basic laws can change usability. The car at 4:51 would be breaking the law in Australia - turning cars usually have to give way to pedestrians / cyclists here.
Just get your own bike with at least 9 speed to handle hills. Its far nicer and less tiring to ride and it will pay for itself in commuting cost in less than a year.
The thing to be aware of with cycling is, it is better to wear clothes suitable for the ride and change at the destination. I commuted to work and showered when I got there. The gear dried in a locker and was ready for the ride home. Be aware there are times it is not practical to ride to a location. Never wear a bag that only hangs off one shoulder, a simple slip can cause you serious grief. A back pack is the most appropriate bag for cycling. The more you do it the fitter you get and the more familiar with the route you take means you will be faster. Beware of aggressive motorists. That guy that blared his horn at you was totally in the wrong because he came up behind you and should have slowed down to allow you to complete your transition across the intersection. You should have had right of way in that situation. Be aware of this kind of motorist. I commuted to work for 14 years, got very fit and found myself extending the journey for fun. Buy your own bike, it will be safer and you will know how well maintained it will be. Also equip it with lights if you ride in low light or in the dark. Wear a helmet at all times. I actually rode with a camera which actually influenced the cars around me, realising they could be busted by police for being caught on film road raging.
As someone who remembers when rentals bikes were introduced to Singapore in the 2010 [ i lived in SG for 10 years] I am still amazed that they went for and it seems persisted with the find a bike with an app model. Living in Taipei you know where bikes are and where you can park them. This has been planned and this deliberate policy in SG just seems like a concession to cars and road side parking. Sometimes SG really isn’t as smart a city as it thinks it is.
I cycle thrice a week to work (16km one way). One thing I can't live without is a rear rack and a rear pannier bag which will contain my work clothes/shoes on the left pannier and my laptop on the right pannier. Using a sling bag or a backpack is very hard and they absorb so much sweat that they smell a lot easily and the backpack blocks all the heat dissipation required during workout.
I would gladly give up my car and cycle to work but will never do it until there are designated cycling lanes to keep cyclist safe and minimium disruptions such as stopping at the numerous traffic lights to get to my destination. Jumping from PCN to narrow pavements to going onto the roads just do not cut it for me. Singapore still have a long way to go towards becoming a bicycle friendly nation.
been cycling to work from AMK to Sengkang from more than a year..abt 12km in today to and fro. its actually faster than taking bus factoring waiting time and walk time from bus stops. relaxing as least in the morning w music and cool weather. singapores PCN is very well connected.
12:48 If this is scary, then you should practice more before getting on road. Drivers may not be kind and might leave a spacing equivalent to that; they only difference is there is drag on the latter which ll put u off balance.
You would be surprised how fit you are after 3 months of consequent cycling to commute. And that automatically! I myself am doing 10 - 20 km every day, except raining. It is the way to go, if you can find a cycling path or pavements ... because riding on Singapore roads is a suicide mission.
Hello, Where do you park your bicycle by the way? Let's say you want to buy a drink (takeaway) from a cafe, can you just park in front of the place? I am moving to SG in July and would love to cycle for shopping and doing everyday things. Thank you.
You have to treat the bike like driving a car. Look behind you look both ways, many people make the mistake of treating a bike like a toy, ride it like a car, unless you are going up Mount Faber. In that case you need to go all out like Lance Armstrong and try to go up the mountain as fast as possible.
for a week means nothing, try it for a year and then sum up.. and after doing everything by bicycle for 5 years in Swiss Alps, i do not want go back, for any money...
Cycling only works if your workplace is connected via park connector or is really nearby to your house. Wet weather situation just stick to public transport.
I ride to work from Punggol to Tai Seng evey Mon to Friday 28 - 29km round trip, 13.8 - 15km per trip estimated abt 45 to 50mins if I detour for longer ride, its about the same duration I take MRT. Ride home in the rain and shower, wipe dry the bike. It's feels great everyday and I look towards going to my workplace just so that I can ride. 🤣 get a Brompton, its the best commuter bike IMHO. Do prepare Sunblock SPF50 at least in your bag.
Riding on the roads is dangerous in Singapore and riding on the foot paths suck in many places. Busses move on the left side of the road and so do cycles. Half the time I am scared of going under a bus.
Great video. This video is so professionally done. Like CNA's talking point but by heartland people. Sub. 😉(I also tired to cycling to work at Loyang. 60km round trip per day. The route from woodland to Yishun dam is not cycle friendly. haiz... but the rest of the trip is fine.)
Not in the open sun to get to places where we dun want to be late and always at night with rental bicycle when time is on our side. Usually during World Cup or after celebrations where we can’t get a cab or transport and best we slowly ride home and get supper along the way.
Biking to work is fun. quick work out. having a back pack or a bike that can hold your stuff is a must. also if you have lockers at your office you can leave a set of cloths to change in so you don't have to carry it when you bike to work. What I would do is keep a set of work cloths good for a week with the shoes. leave all my shower stuff and hygiene items in a small poach in the locker. Then take home dirty cloths. I don't like the ride share bikes. they are heavy and only have one gear. unlike if you have multiple gears biking up hill can get easier. 2nd hand market could be a cheaper option then buying a new bike. especially if this is just for daily commute. but great video for biking to work. should keep at it.
Hi i ride to work to and fro everyday because if I was to take public transportation, it will take me 1 hr at least + I would need to change bus / mrt 3 times (alot of time is consumed on waiting & it's always super crowded)! But if i ride, it will take me only 35 mins & I get to look at sunrise / sunset + river scenery & get a good dosage of cardio workout & saves me the money too! I use the exact same way to calculate the cost! & I've been riding my bike (projava bike that costs $400+, bought it from passiongadgets) for a year & clocked 110 trips which means my bike is literally free! I'm planning to keep riding for the next 1-2 years & upgrade to a trifold 😊 The only setback is that I cycle on pcn / pedestrian walkway (cause I don't have a license & I'm not too familiar with road rules) & sometimes you get frustrated because the roads are very narrow + selfish people who are unwilling to move to the side 🔥😡 / some people are just oblivious to their surroundings while using their phones while walking
13:32 it's this kind of attitude that doesn't encourage bikers to ride on the road. At the end of the day, there should be a greater concerted effort to have dedicated bike lanes along roads
its very fun cycling. about once or twice a week i would cycle to ether MBS or Sentosa from bedok on my MTB with tools and other stuff so that make my bike very heavy. but investing on a bike is very good it does not to be expensive like a few 100 should be enough unless you want to get a $1000 bike but need a lot of maintainace but its worth it
I used to cycle in Singapore in 1990-91 while studying. I still have the 10 speed racer and regularly did up to 50km/h from Adam Road to Hougang (girlfriend). There were fewer highways then and the traffic was less and slower. Traffic has speeded up considerably since 30+ years ago. There were no bike lanes then and if there were any, It would have been dangerous to ride fast on them. I was always a fast rider. So road riding suited me. Sometimes, I targeted buses and matched them. Uphill would have been more difficult to keep up but not impossible: they had to stop to drop off and pick up passengers. Back then there was no cheap AV equipment. So it is only memories. Adam Road, Lornie Road, Braddell Road then Hougang. Memory has faded as to the exact roads. It has been 20 years since I last visited Sg.
We need Netherlands land transport authority to come visit singapore and give advise on how to build a holistic bike friendly bike infrastructure and educate the public on using bike infrastructure
statistics don't lie. most people rather get a car rather than riding wet in the rain. and the worst thing is that bicycles are often thought as water proof dirt cheap equipment and parking is often not sheltered. meaning you bikes get rust and corrosion.
Think LTA needs to do more to provide better infrastructures for cyclists lah. In the Netherlands where bicycles are assimilated into to public paths/roads, it really gives cyclists a peace of mind commuting from point A to B. Cycling on the same road with cars and other large vehicles is a no no. It’s daunting and high risk. Why not simply slice a piece of the road for cyclists with proper lanes and ultimately making SG a less car-centric country
you got the wrong bike you gotta gat a mtb with suspension so you can just go up to the sidewalk from the road with ease and get big wheels it is much easier to pedal and it’s helps absorb shock
The body will adjust and shed weight and add muscles to adapt to your cycling routine. If you keep at it, by the 3rd month you will not feel as bad as this week that you did.
Personal bike costs is wrong calc, $219/365 days for 3 days amortalized is $1.8. In reality, a bike can last a lifetime if well maintained (kept indoors, oiled, not left out in the rain).
As someone who loves visiting Singapore but sweats like a pig every time I'm there...all I can think with cycle commuting in SG is that my destination better damn well have a cold shower available or I'm screwed for the rest of the day 😅
The more you cycle the fitter you are. Please consider installing gears (Shimano or SRAM) on the bike to help tackling the steep incline, and add overall ride enjoyment.
![[Ends at Tanah Merah] SMRT C151B 683/684 Ride from EW6 Kembangan [A] to EW4|CG Tanah Merah [C&D]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/IHjeMb7ztnI/mqdefault.jpg)
Workplace was about 11km away. Taking public transport of bus, train->train, bus/walk takes around 55 mins, doorstep to doorstep. Cycling using PCN and road took around 40~45 mins, eventually 25-35mins once I built my fitness, got more comfortable riding on roads and upgraded to a road bike. Tried commuting that way for a whole year and it was a liberating experience, not to mention the great benefits for health.
Did the same thing and now I ride road bikes and commuted to work with it.
Awesome! It is really relaxing to cycle.
I bike commute to work everyday (30 miles roundtrip) in the snow, heat, sleet, rain, humidity. It doesn't matter.
How do you guys shower after getting to office though? And what if it rains?
probs bring a change of clothes, or they don't. @@CyberMew
After going on a study exchange in Rotterdam for 5 months and using a bicycle everywhere I go, the one major difference is that the weather here is too damn hot for me. And it also helps that on every roads, there is a dedicated bike lane there.
sg cant compare with netherland, netherland is the most cyclist friendly country. They are the best at it. SG government simply do not dedicate the same amount of money and effort to improve cyclist life, much of singapore west side are still not cyclist friendly.
Its better in sg, in jakarta we have hot climate plus pollution hahaha, but fortunately the former governor had been building some great infrastrusture for cyclist either its for recreational purpose or commuting
@@diazjubairy1729 ofcourse sg is the best in asia , but it is still far away from being good like some others
On some days it is a bit hot in the sun, but as long as I keep moving the bike there is the wind ... that helps.
Wear a cap or bicycle helmet and some thin, moisture wicking T.
This was the best short documentary I’ve ever watched on cycle commuting. It was great that a novice did it instead of some jacked up extreme cyclist that’s being doing for 10 plus years. I’ve been commuting to work for about 11 years and the first months were difficult and you convey perfectly what it’s like when first starting. Well done and this channel has now gained a subscriber.
the bike seat height, gear change and power efficiency are very essential when it comes to cycling. clearly the bikes Matilda has used are mainly single speed and heavy.
Single speed and heavy are okay for sixty rental bikes. There are few hills and the weight makes them durable.
@@SeanHogan_frijole That was what I thought at first since I was using the rental bikes everywhere, until l got my own bike with proper gears and lighter weight, I would estimate I was travelling around 1.5x faster due to the ability to increase my gear to move fast through PCN, and then keep on a low gear for urban cycling which has minor slopes of 5-10degs but even that was quite brutal on a rental to cycle through.
A good balance for cycling in SG is probably foldable bikes if you want to do it as a daily commute (in the worst case scenario it rains) - though poor bike infrastructure does mean sometimes bumpy roads that hurt your ass with the lack of suspension on foldies.
Take a look at the bikes the Dutchies are using. These are proper commuter bikes. They know. Tiny 16 or 20 inch wheels are only for very short commutes, and these heavy iron lumps to rent are neeeee neeeee to me.
Was really enthusiastic about cycling to work especially around NS; since peak fitness means no issue with distance ~15km. So, gave this a try.
But there were times where this gets really dangerous especially for stretches where you are forced to be on the roads with rowdy drivers…
The only thing i dislike about Singapore is how car dependent it is. Which is crazy for a city state.
I moved to singapore 1 year ago and i was surprised how much, specially that only 34% own a car
That’s why everytime I’m going to Singapore from Malaysia, I always ride or drive with my Malaysian registered motorcycle or car into Singapore.
Especially, when the government actively put several roadblocks to discourage Singaporeans from owning a car. I guess when the country is so rich, half of the population has money to spend on cars. This is what we got.
@@manchesterunitedno7you do realise motorcycles exist too right? No money buy car, can just buy a motorbike what?
I am surprised that the government does not support 2-wheelers more. Not only bicycles but also motorbikes, and then in particular those with electric drive.
It seems the planning is mostly to make people either use public transport or a luxury car.
I am an avid Anywheel cyclist lmao, you can get their pass then you can ride for free for under 30min. Biggest pain is to find the bikes and parking spots (don't trust their GPS and the app lags too).To me, cycling is only for short distances
Yep i agree
Only just a few issues when comes to rental bikes
Trying to find one is kind hard to get one when everyone on one of those days, everyone uses one
Its hard even find one in thst situation
And aslo some people has a love-hate relationship with bikes
Cause some of these bikes get trashed a lot by users
As for foldables, i do own one myself
Few issues to deal with
First maintence
Cause those chains don't work properly if not clean properly
Second those bikes can cost like a few hunded to a thousand dollars to own one
Not really a transport option for the low class citizens to use or own
But its still better that these options still a thing,
For short distances, for sure quite good, better if your home is not to far to your destination and not more than 10 mins for that ride
For journeys longer than 30mins and that destination is too far for riding
I would rather take the bus or train for that matter. Still cheap aslo no need to carry a bike everywhere with you😅😅
@@gwarguraqueentrickstarcoat9110 if you want to ride for more than 30mins, can you park halfway then get the bike again to restart the timer? Then it's still free!
Means must track time properly to prevent from exceeding.
I tried this for 3 months! Helps that I was in between jobs during that period so timing was more flexible to avoid peak hours. Some tips to make it more feasible.
1. Bag attached to bike with extra t shirt and towel (carrying a backpack is always a bad idea as it'll trap heat and cause u to sweat.)
2. Shower before going out so u don't feel sticky if you do sweat a bit
3. Cheap bike with decent gears and full size wheels. Fumbling around find a secure place to lock is actually when I sweat the most. Being able to lock anywhere and not worry if it gets stolen helps!
People always say our weather doesn't permit cycling, but a 5 min walk in the sun is worst than a 5 min cycle and it's open up so many more options of food and places where ever you live.
and now you have those leg muscles! I don't live in a place where the whether is as warm as singapore so I let my bike hibernate for a few months, but once it gets nice out it feels like I can easily do a 20 km ride. when I started I could barely do 5! it's a pretty big adaptation curve but once you got it, you got it.
Tried the backpack when I first bike commute, that didn't last long. They do make racks and bike bags for such purpose. The weather thing doesn't bother me either.
I agree with all your points. Especially the heat. Moving on the bike is much more pleasant than walking, since I get the giant fan :)
For most people, cycling the whole distance between places is unfeasible (as demonstrated from the first few days). Cycling as a first & last mile mode of transportation would be the option for most people (as Vareck mentioned in 14:39).
I think using a personal bike is feasible only if you're travelling within your town - you need to bring it around wherever you go, so it's inconvenient for long trips (as shown by the multi-modal challenge).
So bike-sharing would be the best option - you can get on and get off pretty much anywhere you like, and you don't have to bring the bike around. Cost-wise, it really depends on how often you use it - in the video, Matilda used the charge-per-ride option (which is currently $1/30 mins for both Anywheel & HelloRide), so it can add up pretty quickly. A better option would have been to purchase their passes, which allow you to have unlimited rides.
It is possible, depending on the route.
Nah it totally depends on your fitness. I do 100km rides weekly and have done round the island 160km plenty of times so cycling from east to west or north to south is no big deal. The only problem is when you got so into cycling, you sold your cheap commute bike and bought a $10,000 one and you start to feel reluctant to just park it anywhere 😂.
@@bingbing3464 I wouldn't use a 10K bike as a daily commuter. There are cheaper options that will accommodate the daily beating and grinds. Costs to maintain and upkeep is high not to mention about it being stolen or damage.
10k bike not for normal cyclist like me
@@Humorousguy64 Not normal for me either.
When I used to live in Copenhagen using bikes as first and last mile transport was super convenient as their trains had entire carriages that allowed you to bring on full sized bikes, not just foldables. Although the population density is much less than Singapore.
If you think about it, making a city bicycle friendly will make the city easier to travel, citizens will also be happier with bicycle friendly infrastructure that is safe and traffic flow of bicycles are very smooth, and that will also encourage more people to start families too.
As a commuter who uses public transport and Anywheel shared bikes for cycling, a Bicycle Pass can go a long way for making cycling a lot cheaper. I was very fortunate that I got the 360 day pass for $66.66 some time back as part of their 6th anniversary sale, which makes the charge for the first 30 minutes free and then $0.50/30 mins afterwards. If you do a lot of short last-mile commutes, you accumulate points which can be used to redeem $1 ride coupons. This would effectively make additional trips under 90 minutes long free.
In 60-90 minutes you can easily travel within a 10 km radius (i.e. between the city and Clementi/Ang Mo Kio/Hougang/Bedok), which is good enough for many short-to-medium distance commutes in Singapore! Possibly even time competitive if the public transport alternative requires multiple transfers.
My commutes used to be multi-modal as well for a few years, but instead of using a bike, I was on my electic skateboard. I could ride my board to the nearest MRT station, pick up my board and get on the train, get off and plop my board down and ride the rest of the way to work/school with ease. Having a small and compact device (compared to a foldable bike) made both the transition onto and the time spent on public transport so seamless and pleasant, not only for me but probably for other commuters as well.
As someone who has also biked around a whole lot for transport and leisure, the benefits of electric devices (e-skates and PMDs in general) do quell some of the hesitations that someone might have for a more active mode of transport. You aren''t gonna be worried about things like getting to work tired and sweaty, how fast you are able to pedal, how far you are capable of going before hitting your physical limit etc. These points also lead to the biggest sell of electric devices to me, the ability to allow more people to get into an active mode of transport irregardless of their physical capability/health issues. At a point of my life, I was able to cycle decently long distances with some effort, but because of circumstances, I'm unable to do so nowadays without a very condiserable amount of effort. But when I found out about e-skates, I was able to get back outside again and enjoy some of the benefits of active transport without needing to spend much effort. Getting to enjoy the scenery of the parks, the fresh air, the sun exposure, all of these contribute a heck of a lot towards one's mental health.
Unfortunately because my boards aren't compliant with the new laws, namely the battery restrictions, I have since stopped riding as much. As for others, the new laws that have come up because of all the errant riders have basically halted adoption of electric devices for everyday transport. A portion of those who were already riding complied with the new requirements while the rest gave up entirely. I do believe that the rise of PMDs in Singapore came too early, as evident by the irresponsible behaviour that some riders had, and it's good that the government decided to step in and said enough is enough to save more lives. But if Singapore really wants to go car-lite by whatever their target was, the laws with regards to personal electric vehicles should be relooked into, the infrastructure has to be improved, and more people should be educated on how to ride safely and responsibly. These changes not only affect electric riders, but also regular cyclists as well. Better roads to ride on, clearer rules with regards to how people can ride, a much better transport experience for everyone on the road in general.
I'd like to think Singapore has great potential to become a cyclists friendly nation. Unfortunately, the biggest hurdle to be overcome is people's mindset:
1. Motorists need to remind themselves that they don't own the roads, even though they had paid a lot for COE to drive the car, that doesn't mean they are the only people allowed to use the roads.
2. Pedestrians need to understand that not all cyclists ride bikes for fun or for showing off. There are people who use the bike to get to places.
3. Cyclists of course need to remind themselves it will take time (if not forever) for above two groups of people to come to terms about sharing the roads and sidewalk.
Unfortunately no amount of money or technology can help achieve the above.
Typical arrogant cyclist talking. Cyclists first and foremost must understand you are too slow on the road and too fast on the pavement. Then perhaps there is a chance to co exist.
@@nnnnn8173 That's why it's best to have designated bike lanes.
@@nnnnn8173Really bro lmao. I can say the same for cars. Cars are too fast, it kills too many people worlwide so they should just make it illegal.
Because of these reasons, it’s important that the government puts in good policy and infrastructure.
@@nnnnn8173most cyclists are also drivers. Too many drivers in SG thanks to the COE have a warped sense of entitlement that looks down on ‘less worthy’ road users.
There are many factors when it comes to using cycling as a mean of commute; where you live, availability of cycling infra (PCNs) and the type of bike you own. A hybrid (bike + public transport) would be more feasible method, where you ride to the mrt, fold up your bike and bring it with you onto the mrt and afterwards cycle another 5 mins to the office. I live in Kovan and I prefer to travel to nearby places (Hougang, Serangoon gardens, Serangoon North, Kovan hawker center) by bicycle because taking public transport would take far longer and also carparks are usually full during lunch hour, hence it's must easier to park my bike, eat/tapao then cycle home.
From kembangan towards chaichee, that uphill dam xiong . First few weeks will be a challenge, after that will be very enjoyable. Instead of riding to work, just try riding back home. When riding on the road, you got to be very defensive and alert; side mirror is a must have. There are many angry and impatience drivers and also many blur and careless cyclist. There was a few times when i actually did a count when i went cycling with my toddler son (on baby chair). While waiting and trying to push the bicycle across a ZEBRA CROSSING, 7-8cars went by with no intention of giving way. Yes it can be that bad. But it is what it is, especially during peak hours, everyone wants to go home fast.
I take that road almost every ride I go,downhill can sprint 55kph shiok
I have been riding to work for the last year or so and the rides home when there is no rush to be somewhere is just really amazing. Anyway, we stay in the same area and I would recommend you to go by Chai Chee Street so that you do not up the hill at Decathlon. That path is so steep and the path is so bumpy, hence the other way may be a bit longer but it's an easier ride. Furthermore, at Paya Lebar where the PCN kinda veers off the straight route to Aljunied, I would turn right rather than go straight get to Aljunied. The paths there are easier to cycle rather than going through the shophouse areas.
I would also recommend a trifold bicycle because when it rains or you're just not feeling it, it would be much easier to carry the bike onto public transportation and head home with the bike. It was my greatest consideration when I decided to buy a bike. You can also do mixed commute because of how portable it is. You can also park the bike under your desk and not worry about leaving it outside and having it get stolen.
Of course a good trifold is not cheap, but you could start off buying a cheap second hand one off Carousell and once you get into the lifestyle and enjoy the health and mental health benefits, invest in a good one. That's when you die die also must cycle since u paid so much for it and once it becomes a habit, it's hard to stop. The dopamine hit when you leisurely ride back is enough to make you want to ride. On my days off, I will still want to take the bike out for a spin even just to go down to the market for a meal.
Have fun riding and let me know if you want to have a feel of riding a trifold. We can meet at the multi-purpose hall down below and you can have a test ride.
Cheers!
I prefer hybrid bike and road bike
@@predatorhelios8633if u go on the roads, then yes those with big wheels are good. But if u’re on pavements most of the time, smaller wheeled bikes are more nimble and easier to manoeuvre through human traffic.
And furthermore, i can just fold up and take a taxi home if i have a flat tyre or if it rains. I personally value time and convenience over speed so trifold suits me better.
I bike around 8000km a year, and love commuting to work on my bike when I can, but it's definitely not as convenient as driving. It's fantastic for people with regular office type jobs and getting your exercise in every day without having to fit it into your schedule. If I lived in a big city, I would make it my default mode of transportation.
8k is average. Double that and it's considered a lot
@@jeremyemilio9378 my bad, you're so right. It's only a lot if it's in the top .001% of cyclists that just ride for fun and don't race.
Tip is to check if there is a good bike parking and get your own bike, set it up to be a dedicated commuter bike with paniers for your stuff and good gear ratio to pedal you with less effort and faster. Rather than rent a random bike which is usually set up to be really slow and heavy
That car literally horn for F, in the wrong still horn. Driver forgotten that they are to slow down and stop to give way regardless its zebra crossing.
Entitled cager 😬
@@winters4960they paid a lot of money for that certificate of entitlement you know…
Yup. That car driver was literally an asshole.
Exactly. Driver didn't see from far that a cyclist is turning into his direction
@@winters4960 wow seem like your QDL is expired or fake, during your TP TEST if you failed to stop and give way when turning left you will be awarded 10 points or imediate failure depending on tester observation. dont come tell me behind vehicle come bang you or what, thats is the back vehicle fault for not keeping a lookout.
Been cycIing since the start of Covid, I ride a Giant Roam 2 2020 hybrid bicycle and stays in Punggol, work in Jalan Permimpin which is near Marymount MRT, each journey takes 1hr to reach, saved around $80 per month on public transport and I get to exercise at the same time. I see it as a win win. The only downside is the weather which changes constantly all the time.
I commute cycle in SG (I took it from Dublin, was very common there). It's not so much how fit you are (I am actually overweight and cycling helps not to get worse). Aside from willingness, the feasibility of it is really how are the roads between home and work. I work in tanjog pagar and used to live in katong. That was relatively short and easy (8km, 25mins). Moved to Toa Payoh for a while and the distance was not much more, but omg the roads from Ballestier to CBD are bad for cycling. Also doesn't help that Toa Payoh is surrounded by expressways with few crossing points out walking or cycling. I stay now in Tanah Merah and it's the same time than from toa payoh (45mins) despite being much longer in (15km). Tips, if you have long stretches with no traffic lights or much traffic, a road bike is best (I use it if I go along East coast park). If you need to navigate roads with lots of traffic and lights (bedok, east coast road) a small foldie is best. Either way need a shower at the end. Take it as your day work out (is about 1200 cals both ways for me). For general use, go makan/dabao, groceries, meeting friends, foldable bike is best. And you can put in MRT bus or taxi for longer distance, rainy day or ehem , drinking but too much. PS: weather is not that bad. I don't really get much rain days. Wear sleevelesst loose clothing for conmuting, may slow down a few seconds if you are racing but helps transpiring a lot
Hi Matilda, an interesting experiment I must say. Thank you for your effort. I used to bicycle to school in Penang where I grew up. This was in the early '60s. No helmets, no special lanes, no MRT. Only buses, taxis and trishaws as alternative modes of transport or just plain walking. But bicycling was an adventure for me. And a personal challenge too. The other barrier was the humidity and heat. I also once organised an outstation ride during the long school vacation, with my scout friends from Penang, northwards to near the thai border, then down the central spine of Malaya, exiting to the main trunk road before Ipoh and back towards Penang again. This was a main trunk roads , with large vehicles passing by. Thankfully, nothing happened. These days, I drive a SUV or walk. But I would still ride a bicycle if I have one. cheers, see you some day in Sg. ! Michael
I’ve biked through Chicago winters, you can do a wet seat. Proper clothing and luggage is a must. Also, to make this more feasible, you would benefit more from your own bike than a bike share option.
E-bikes are also another option, especially if you are well experienced with cycling & road laws since our PCN infrastructure is still underdeveloped, you may need to use the road. The best part is it's effortless and you sweat less, but I would still only recommend it if your office provides showering facilities cause SG is just too hot and no one wants to start work sweaty 😉
Not all E-bikes are meant for food delivery, and you can use them for commuting as well (saw one dude zipping through the cbd roads on an E-bike before), and I foresee more people adopting cycling as a greener and more economical method for their commute!
E-bikes, please use the road it's so quiet that it poses a real danger to the others on the sidewalk.
I've seen many ebike riders in SG as extremely shitty cyclist and actively break all traffic rules such as breaking red lights.
Ebike cannot use the pavement
How common are E-bike commuters in Singapore? Cuz I can't find anyone talking about them online, unless it's for food delivery
The average motorist in Singapore is a self-entitled chauvinist with little to no regard for others other than self. Perhaps this is an externality of high COE prices that make them feel like they stand on higher ground over pedestrians and cyclists. Perhaps it is the elitist attitude of those well off enough to drive. Unless the government commits to carving out land to build dedicated cyclist lanes, I will not feel safe cycling. If only local civic hood would prevail such that dependency on government intervention is not always the only way...
Exactly this. After coming back from China it’s amazing the cycling difference. Dedicated lanes and not only that. Even though there is a bit of organized chaos, there is no ego. No driver is trying to honk or run over you. They are driving carefully and sharing the road.
I agree with your coe assessment. You pay so much your sentiment is jealousy of anyone else who can use it. Despite everyone taxes pay for the road.
The infrastructure is absolutely laughable in Singapore who touts as a green city. Go to any other city in the world. And cities that converted lanes to cycling lanes during the pandemic.
Seriously there is barely any traffic in sg compared to other countries. In fact more traffic may prevent more cars more than the cost of coe will prevent more cars.
They should take 1 lane out of the road for use by bus, pmd, cycling only. It’s a chicken egg thing where people don’t bother to adopt eco transport because there is no infrastructure. The whole pmd situation was born to fail from the beginning with no thought at all to it.
The pcn is an actual joke of fragmented modified sidewalks. People need a cycling lane on the road if they want a mode of transport. Pcn is more of a leisure path that shares with pedestrians who also don’t like cyclists. lol
What a hot mess. Anyway we know the garment isn’t serious because pcn is not the solution.
They have to know that they can also cycle on the road without paying for Coe and road tax.
Idiots think cycle lane is the solution to every problem. Never consider junctions every 50m or 100m when slow bikers crisscross with fast turning motor traffic.
I used to cycle everyday to school be it rain or not. From Toa payoh to SUSS took me about 1 hr usually. I didnt mind being exhausted and sweaty as the school compound is very cooling. I kinda miss those days. I am at my fittest back then.
I think there is some learning curve to commuting via bicycle. You have to look out for blind spot, avoiding pedestrian and vehicles. Pot holes and slippery uneven surface also present some challenge. Over time, The route to your place will shorten as you find shortcuts . it become safer as you familiarise the route and become more enjoyable.
happy to see tehsiewdai featured
You guys have one of the best train systems in the world. I've been there before. Even the bus works great. So yeah, I can't blame anyone if they don't bike there.
I’ve never considered riding a bike as a viable transport option ever but wow I’m actually convinced
"Not that feasible during wet weather.."
Food delivery riders entered the chat..
I think if you really want to incorporate cycling into your commute, even sometimes, I would recommend owning your own bike. I am sure you can find second hand bike for cheap. As for wet weather, you can keep a rain coat or basic rain poncho in your bike bag or purse to always have protection in case you happen to be caught by the rain.
I cycle every day no matter the weather and of course it's not always optimal if you happen to forget rain gear and it starts raining, but the Dutch say - you're not sugar, you won't melt.
Ha! That's so cool. I came across Vareck's video from Melbourne where I live, and subscribed to his channel, and I thought I just randomly got recommended this video because of the mutual topic of cycling in Singapore, but actually he's a guest in this one too!
Tampines revamped drive in shell station used to have a little resting area for commuters and cyclists. But when covid starts they stopped opening up the place. Maybe used LTA subsidies to do it up but now stopped offering it up for usage. Fyi LTA.
I just cycle everywhere because waiting for public transport pisses me off.
Which ends up also making cycling faster.
5km to university took only like 15 min I think. 11 min to get there but I need to park and walk to the lecture theatre.
Bus takes like 30min. Even after the pcn was shut from the landslide it still took about the same time. Plus since the whole way was by road after that and I didn't need to go on pavement at all I could take my road bike instead and then it was even less time since I could go faster down slopes.
But anyways, 1 day I took public transport to see how much it would cost and my god public transport is expensive.
Sure my bikes are kinda expensive but the running costs are low and I cycle 250km a week for fun anyways. When it's not raining at least.
I would say not to use a foldable bike, that's mainly only useful if you use public transport part way.
It's much better to use a mountain bike, the bigger wheels and suspension help to roll over obstacles.
Or a city bike but that's not common in Singapore.
If your route is like 90% road then a road bike would be good. But those are quite uncomfortable.
Idm the cars being near me, it was scary for maybe the first half an hour, after that, I frankly stopped caring even when those big trucks are right next to me.
Probably dangerous but I don't really care anymore.
If you ride enough you'll be fast enough to beat the MRT most places since MRT routes sometimes go in a very roundabout way. It takes more than an hour to get from Clementi MRT to MBS by MRT but only 45min by bicycle.
I just bring extra clothes if it's raining.
As for saving carbon, CO2, electric motors are more efficient than human muscles. Without support, on a normal road bike (you’re riding rather inefficient ones), you emit about 17g/km. With about 120W support on an ebike, you’d (both) emit 8g/km (depending on how electricity is produced in SG). There’s no round-trip mode of transportation that beats it (other than optimizing cycling by going for a recumbent).
I bet my country is at the bottom of the list, so I was envious of the infrastructure you have in SG when I rode the hello ride bikes out there. I have been bike commuting and leisure biking in my country for 6 years so biking in SG was calming, a breath of fresh air, less stressful than in the cities in my country, except in the province, but then in the province you have cargo trucks to deal with. Most of the bike lanes in SG are 2-3x wider than in my country. Yes the ride sharing bike used in this video is heavy but i'm used to it since my first bike was steel, my 2nd is alluminum which I still use today, while my third is a lightweight giant roadie alloy with carbon fork in it, the easiest to bike to commute on.
the point about having a road license is a good one. Actually i think Basic theory should be taught in primary/secondary schools just because everyone uses the roads and should know how drivers think and to check blind spots more often.
Lots of improvements possible.
Cycle-to-work purchase incentrive programs to help people afford a bike.
Bike parking facility that are actually sheltered because Singapore's weather essentially makes it a rust-my-bike city.
Plant more trees. For all its talk about being a green city, I see more decorative trees than trees that actually provide shade over pedestrian and bicycle paths.
Actual protected bike lanes on the roads of Orchard, CBD and downtown areas. Right now, there is no good cycling path to get from east to west, or into the city. So the easiest way to expand the cycling network is to hijack existing road networks.
Ultimately, cycling infrastucture should be less about some internal green KPI (it feels like that sometimes), and actually providing people with viable commute alternatives. We already have a higher barrier to entry in terms of hot weather, unpredictable rain, lack of workplace cycling facilities and unsufficient sheltered space to store bikes (think tiny HDB spaces). So SG needs to do even better than the world's best cycling cities if we want to reach even just half of their cycling population by proportion.
The weather and where to park safely in the CBD are the main off-putting factors for cycling into the office. SG is really making some great cycling infrastructure though. The PCN is amazing and only getting better with every year.
Reminds me of 2014-2018 when I was living in Phoenix and purposefully sold my car and moto to get out there from NY state. Cycled for almost 5 years straight, no car; miss it quite a bit.
Also, i was enticed by the biking part of the vid and you got me hooked with the Ithaca shirt. Close to home! If you're ever back there, visit Binghamton, let's ride!
Well done!! Great attempt and definitely a hard habit to start! :D wait till you try night cycling when its cooling ~
This was amazing! I wish I lived in a city where I could cycle for my errands. I live in rural Texas so it’s a 14 mile ride to the nearest grocery store through highway traffic for 11 of this miles in 105 degree heat. Hopefully I can move into town soon
Triathlete: Commuting shopping, work basically everywhere using a bicycle is great & the PCN is becoming more convenient & safe. Now my wife & I use cycling almost exclusively, my wife failed her car driving test so getting her to feel comfortable using the road(occasionally where pedestrian paths are not convenient or safe) I decided to ride everywhere with her.
There are many safety blind spots for the inexperienced rider that are second nature to veteran cyclist one that comes to mind include, see a truck waiting to pull out of a construction site onto the road, if you are cycling the pedestrian walk DO NOT ride in front of the truck the driver can't see you from his high cabin, yes my wife was riding in front of me & rode in front of the truck & it started to move, I had to yell as loud as I could and ram my bike into the truck and slap my hand on the door to save my wife who was on the ground. yes we are still together
I’d say that as a long term investment purely from a financial perspective, a basic $600 road bike from would take a few years to recoup costs, though maintenance is cheap, at most new chains, lubricant and brake pads
From a health perspective it is great, trains your cardiovascular system and leg muscles
For me, sharing roads with cars is not a problem.
Being horned by angry driver is not a problem.
Things blocking the bike lane is not a problem.
SG wether is not a problem. (I love hot weather and the rain in sg is always predictable)
that is why I love cycling in sg. For three years I have been using my bike as my main form of transport. With the experience of doing the same in Germany and China, I would not agree with the global bicycle cities index ranking as it has not consider other important factors such as crime rate in a city. I have never worried about my bike being stolen in Singapore, and sometimes I even forget to lock it in public, for three years, nothing happens. But in Germany, even with 3 locks on my bike and parked in a dedicated bike parking rack, there's still people tried to break my locks and steal my bike, the bike was damaged in the process but luckily it was still there.
Nothing else matters when your bike got stolen...
love the edit!!
Keep it up. Gradually you improve onto it. Bike handling practices, route of taking, flexibility, on bike ride experiences gaining for each time, and many many aspects.
It's interesting how even basic laws can change usability. The car at 4:51 would be breaking the law in Australia - turning cars usually have to give way to pedestrians / cyclists here.
Just get your own bike with at least 9 speed to handle hills. Its far nicer and less tiring to ride and it will pay for itself in commuting cost in less than a year.
Where is your helmet from?!? It’s so cool!
The thing to be aware of with cycling is, it is better to wear clothes suitable for the ride and change at the destination. I commuted to work and showered when I got there. The gear dried in a locker and was ready for the ride home. Be aware there are times it is not practical to ride to a location.
Never wear a bag that only hangs off one shoulder, a simple slip can cause you serious grief. A back pack is the most appropriate bag for cycling.
The more you do it the fitter you get and the more familiar with the route you take means you will be faster.
Beware of aggressive motorists. That guy that blared his horn at you was totally in the wrong because he came up behind you and should have slowed down to allow you to complete your transition across the intersection. You should have had right of way in that situation. Be aware of this kind of motorist.
I commuted to work for 14 years, got very fit and found myself extending the journey for fun.
Buy your own bike, it will be safer and you will know how well maintained it will be. Also equip it with lights if you ride in low light or in the dark. Wear a helmet at all times.
I actually rode with a camera which actually influenced the cars around me, realising they could be busted by police for being caught on film road raging.
As someone who remembers when rentals bikes were introduced to Singapore in the 2010 [ i lived in SG for 10 years] I am still amazed that they went for and it seems persisted with the find a bike with an app model. Living in Taipei you know where bikes are and where you can park them. This has been planned and this deliberate policy in SG just seems like a concession to cars and road side parking. Sometimes SG really isn’t as smart a city as it thinks it is.
I cycle thrice a week to work (16km one way). One thing I can't live without is a rear rack and a rear pannier bag which will contain my work clothes/shoes on the left pannier and my laptop on the right pannier. Using a sling bag or a backpack is very hard and they absorb so much sweat that they smell a lot easily and the backpack blocks all the heat dissipation required during workout.
It’s super healthy
I would gladly give up my car and cycle to work but will never do it until there are designated cycling lanes to keep cyclist safe and minimium disruptions such as stopping at the numerous traffic lights to get to my destination. Jumping from PCN to narrow pavements to going onto the roads just do not cut it for me. Singapore still have a long way to go towards becoming a bicycle friendly nation.
Why is that part blurred ? Is there a brand there ?
Great video. 3:03 What glasses(frame brand) are you wearing that have those clipped-on sunglasses? Plan to buy one. Thanks in advance!
been cycling to work from AMK to Sengkang from more than a year..abt 12km in today to and fro. its actually faster than taking bus factoring waiting time and walk time from bus stops. relaxing as least in the morning w music and cool weather. singapores PCN is very well connected.
wayyyy faster than bus brooo
12:48 If this is scary, then you should practice more before getting on road. Drivers may not be kind and might leave a spacing equivalent to that; they only difference is there is drag on the latter which ll put u off balance.
WOW I have always wanted to try this! Kudos for sharing your experience on video.
Great video. What glasses(frame brand) are you wearing that have those clipped-on sunglasses? Plan to buy one. Thanks in advance!
You would be surprised how fit you are after 3 months of consequent cycling to commute. And that automatically! I myself am doing 10 - 20 km every day, except raining.
It is the way to go, if you can find a cycling path or pavements ... because riding on Singapore roads is a suicide mission.
Hello,
Where do you park your bicycle by the way? Let's say you want to buy a drink (takeaway) from a cafe, can you just park in front of the place? I am moving to SG in July and would love to cycle for shopping and doing everyday things. Thank you.
for the paya lebar to aljunied stretch can consider going thru geylang east or under the mrt tracks instead
You have to treat the bike like driving a car. Look behind you look both ways, many people make the mistake of treating a bike like a toy, ride it like a car, unless you are going up Mount Faber. In that case you need to go all out like Lance Armstrong and try to go up the mountain as fast as possible.
for a week means nothing, try it for a year and then sum up.. and after doing everything by bicycle for 5 years in Swiss Alps, i do not want go back, for any money...
Cycling only works if your workplace is connected via park connector or is really nearby to your house. Wet weather situation just stick to public transport.
I ride to work from Punggol to Tai Seng evey Mon to Friday 28 - 29km round trip, 13.8 - 15km per trip estimated abt 45 to 50mins if I detour for longer ride, its about the same duration I take MRT. Ride home in the rain and shower, wipe dry the bike. It's feels great everyday and I look towards going to my workplace just so that I can ride. 🤣 get a Brompton, its the best commuter bike IMHO. Do prepare Sunblock SPF50 at least in your bag.
Used to cycle Woodlands to SBAB daily, base allowed cyclist to wear PT kit and change to work attire after. Good times.
Ruiming is a gem. Protect Ruiming at all costs.
Next: I Walked Everywhere in Singapore for a Week to Save Money | TBH
Riding on the roads is dangerous in Singapore and riding on the foot paths suck in many places. Busses move on the left side of the road and so do cycles. Half the time I am scared of going under a bus.
Great video. This video is so professionally done. Like CNA's talking point but by heartland people. Sub. 😉(I also tired to cycling to work at Loyang. 60km round trip per day. The route from woodland to Yishun dam is not cycle friendly. haiz... but the rest of the trip is fine.)
car would have seen you well before making its turn. horn for no reason. mental problem driver.
great video :) I learned a lot from it
Not in the open sun to get to places where we dun want to be late and always at night with rental bicycle when time is on our side.
Usually during World Cup or after celebrations where we can’t get a cab or transport and best we slowly ride home and get supper along the way.
LTA should consider to increase motorcycle quota COE. Adding motorcycle to Singapore roads will increase Singaporean’s mobility opportunities.
Biking to work is fun. quick work out.
having a back pack or a bike that can hold your stuff is a must. also if you have lockers at your office you can leave a set of cloths to change in so you don't have to carry it when you bike to work. What I would do is keep a set of work cloths good for a week with the shoes. leave all my shower stuff and hygiene items in a small poach in the locker. Then take home dirty cloths.
I don't like the ride share bikes. they are heavy and only have one gear. unlike if you have multiple gears biking up hill can get easier.
2nd hand market could be a cheaper option then buying a new bike. especially if this is just for daily commute.
but great video for biking to work. should keep at it.
What is the bike model francis is riding?
Come to Woodlands, around the industrial park areas, pavements taken over by bicycles, mainly by FW
Hi i ride to work to and fro everyday because if I was to take public transportation, it will take me 1 hr at least + I would need to change bus / mrt 3 times (alot of time is consumed on waiting & it's always super crowded)! But if i ride, it will take me only 35 mins & I get to look at sunrise / sunset + river scenery & get a good dosage of cardio workout & saves me the money too! I use the exact same way to calculate the cost! & I've been riding my bike (projava bike that costs $400+, bought it from passiongadgets) for a year & clocked 110 trips which means my bike is literally free! I'm planning to keep riding for the next 1-2 years & upgrade to a trifold 😊 The only setback is that I cycle on pcn / pedestrian walkway (cause I don't have a license & I'm not too familiar with road rules) & sometimes you get frustrated because the roads are very narrow + selfish people who are unwilling to move to the side 🔥😡 / some people are just oblivious to their surroundings while using their phones while walking
13:32 it's this kind of attitude that doesn't encourage bikers to ride on the road. At the end of the day, there should be a greater concerted effort to have dedicated bike lanes along roads
its very fun cycling. about once or twice a week i would cycle to ether MBS or Sentosa from bedok on my MTB with tools and other stuff so that make my bike very heavy. but investing on a bike is very good it does not to be expensive like a few 100 should be enough unless you want to get a $1000 bike but need a lot of maintainace but its worth it
I used to cycle in Singapore in 1990-91 while studying. I still have the 10 speed racer and regularly did up to 50km/h from Adam Road to Hougang (girlfriend). There were fewer highways then and the traffic was less and slower. Traffic has speeded up considerably since 30+ years ago. There were no bike lanes then and if there were any, It would have been dangerous to ride fast on them. I was always a fast rider. So road riding suited me. Sometimes, I targeted buses and matched them. Uphill would have been more difficult to keep up but not impossible: they had to stop to drop off and pick up passengers. Back then there was no cheap AV equipment. So it is only memories. Adam Road, Lornie Road, Braddell Road then Hougang. Memory has faded as to the exact roads. It has been 20 years since I last visited Sg.
Wow 50km/h, you sure you weren't in the tour de france? 10 speed racer you say? 1991 you say. What were you riding? 2x5? or 1x10....
I enjoy road cycling to and fro my workplace 6 km away on a daily basis (except on rainy days).
Can't cycle but found this really educational!!!
We need Netherlands land transport authority to come visit singapore and give advise on how to build a holistic bike friendly bike infrastructure and educate the public on using bike infrastructure
Can PCN not consist of so many traffic light stops atleast for West Side its crazy how I need to stop once every 5 minute.
statistics don't lie. most people rather get a car rather than riding wet in the rain. and the worst thing is that bicycles are often thought as water proof dirt cheap equipment and parking is often not sheltered. meaning you bikes get rust and corrosion.
Bike share is a great concept tbh, but if u are trying to get to classes or work on time, just invest in buying your own bike.
Think LTA needs to do more to provide better infrastructures for cyclists lah. In the Netherlands where bicycles are assimilated into to public paths/roads, it really gives cyclists a peace of mind commuting from point A to B. Cycling on the same road with cars and other large vehicles is a no no. It’s daunting and high risk. Why not simply slice a piece of the road for cyclists with proper lanes and ultimately making SG a less car-centric country
you got the wrong bike you gotta gat a mtb with suspension so you can just go up to the sidewalk from the road with ease and get big wheels it is much easier to pedal and it’s helps absorb shock
The body will adjust and shed weight and add muscles to adapt to your cycling routine. If you keep at it, by the 3rd month you will not feel as bad as this week that you did.
Personal bike costs is wrong calc, $219/365 days for 3 days amortalized is $1.8.
In reality, a bike can last a lifetime if well maintained (kept indoors, oiled, not left out in the rain).
The frame can last a lifetime, but the parts cannot.
As you get more fit and get better bike you will see that for traveling less than 30km it is actually more efficient and cost effective
Guess i'm not the only one feeling that SG's weather is not really the best at all to cycle to work. But gotta try and see how 👀
SG isnt a car-lite , cycling friendly city.
For leisure and sports its fine , but cycling as commute especially daily isnt feasible
6:55 how tf is HANDCUFFS the icon for “SAFETY”
wtaf
that is too upsetting to watch the rest of the video
how
handcuffs
how
As someone who loves visiting Singapore but sweats like a pig every time I'm there...all I can think with cycle commuting in SG is that my destination better damn well have a cold shower available or I'm screwed for the rest of the day 😅
The more you cycle the fitter you are. Please consider installing gears (Shimano or SRAM) on the bike to help tackling the steep incline, and add overall ride enjoyment.