the Whimsical World of WHEEling

Chosen Task 1 – Momentum

Main Topic Cycling in Singapore

Aim To encourage more people in Singapore to take up cycling as a

sport, for transport or as a new hobby.

• Trends in Cycling

• Cycling is Good!

• How We Researched

• Our Masterplan

• Future of Cycling

• Government Efforts

• Reasons why People cycle

• Development Online

• Cycling Organisations in Singapore

• Professional Cycling

Government efforts Government efforts Government efforts Government efforts

Reviewing traffic Reviewing traffic lawlaw

Reviewing traffic Reviewing traffic lawlaw

Traffic policeTraffic policeTraffic policeTraffic policeCycling on Cycling on pedestrian pedestrian

pavements illegal pavements illegal

Cycling on Cycling on pedestrian pedestrian

pavements illegal pavements illegal

Parliamentary Parliamentary debatesdebates

Parliamentary Parliamentary debatesdebates

Tampines MP Tampines MP Irene Ng Irene Ng

Tampines MP Tampines MP Irene Ng Irene Ng

Improvement of Improvement of cycling cycling

infrastructure infrastructure

Improvement of Improvement of cycling cycling

infrastructure infrastructure

Park Connector Park Connector Network (PCN)Network (PCN)Park Connector Park Connector Network (PCN)Network (PCN)

The National Parks The National Parks Board (NParks) Board (NParks)

The National Parks The National Parks Board (NParks) Board (NParks)

Links major parks, Links major parks, nature sites, nature sites,

residential and residential and urban areas urban areas

Links major parks, Links major parks, nature sites, nature sites,

residential and residential and urban areas urban areas

• TravelingEg. Victoria Junior College students cycle to school

East Coast Park

• Leisure activity

• Internet forums and web logs

• Organisations

Togoparts.com

BIKEsutra.com

SGcycling.com

Singapore Amateur Cycling Association (SACA)

Safe Cycling Task Force

• Professional cycling

Samuel Yang

Best ASEAN Rider

Khoo Swee Chiow cycled from Penang to Singapore and from Singapore to Beijing in 2003.

Frances E. Willard, How I

Learned to Ride the Bicycle Frances E. Willard, How I

Learned to Ride the Bicycle

"She who succeeds in gaining the mastery of the bicycle will gain the mastery of life."

"She who succeeds in gaining the mastery of the bicycle will gain the mastery of life."

• Stamina and fitness levels increase

• Low-impact, low risk of injury

• Sustainable regular exercise

• More convenience as there is no need for road tax, fuel or licenses

- AUSTRALIAN BICYCLE COUNCIL, 2006

• Less time taken to travel

Emotional benefits Focus group with Raffles Riders

• Cycling cultivates a sense of adventure & independence in the young

• Stress relief• Opportunity to socialise

• Primary Research

– To anchor our research content locally

• Secondary Research

– To find out more about the state of cycling development locally and overseas

– To predict the benefits of cycling

– To help in brainstorming strategies to drive momentum

• Secondary– Library– Online– Newspapers

• Primary– Surveys– Interviews– Focus Group Discussions

• To get more people pedalling away• Two pronged approach

– HARDWARE & HEARTWARE

• Hardware: Facilities & Infrastructure

• Heartware: Changing misconceptions to

enthusiasm

HardwareI. Information BookletsII. Cycling ClinicsIII. Bicycle Rental Service

HeartwareI. Cyclathon Singapore

Why?– Lack of awareness;

information is essential– Misconceptions and

even fear present– Available cycling

guides are unsuitable

Figure 3: Awareness of Cycling Rules.

(Graph 2.4, Annex A – I).

12

52

90

50

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

A lot Some A little Not aware at all

What?– Containing cycling-related information– To be distributed to the general public

• Determined by Survey

• Cycling rules

• Cycling routes

• Bicycle maintenance tips

• Bicycle organisation contact details

Figure 4: Desired Content in Booklet. (Graph 4.1, Annex A – I).

78

92

18 16

26 24

34

12

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100Information in the booklets

I. Prewriting Stage– Identifying Authors

– Identifying Source of Funding

II. Writing Stage

III. Post Writing Stage– Distribution

– Post mortem

– Revised Editions

• Feasible?

• High Interest Level

• Putting information in a local context would greatly increase applicability

• Funding by government is likely• Qualified authors are available

Figure 5: Interest Level, General. (Graph 2.3, Annex A – I).

5

42 42

29

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

Very interested Somewhatinterested

Not reallyinterested

Not interested atall

Community-Oriented• Either free of charge or for a nominal fee

• At Community Centres (CCs) or schools

• Can be combined with School CIP

• Conducted by SACA, or students under their guidance

• Feasible?– SACA has experience in

programmes similar to this,

particularly partnering the CCs,

and are better poised to conduct

the clinics

– A large student population is

available for CIP-linked clinics to

draw on as volunteers

– Publicity will attract more people

to sign up

Figure 6: Interest in cycling clinics. (Graph 5.1, Annex A – I).

36%

64%

Y

N

What?• A system to rent out bicycles in HDB heartlands

Why?

• Convenience

• Caters to occasional and those who don’t own bikes

• Reduce hassle in finding parking spaces

• Many would like to cycle for leisure or transport

Inspiration: NTUC Income’s Townbike

• Bikes parked at HDB flat void decks

• Bikes unlock after sending an SMS to the rental station

• Bikes specially designed to deter theft and withstand vandalism

• Currently found in Bukit Batok

Adopt and Adapt: Expanding the

Townbike system

• Revamp payment system– an ez-link based system

• Extend locations – MRT stations

– CCs

– Schools

• Funding• Commercial interest from SMRT Corp.

• Philanthropic interest from Lee Foundation or other charities

• Government funds from CCs• Other sources of revenue from selling advertising

space on rental stations and bicycles

• The system would complement the Park-and-Ride

scheme at MRT stations

Feasible?

Ways to Counter Problems

People rarely rent bicycles– Promotional campaigns

Avid cyclists already own bicycles– Target occasional cyclists

Theft, vandalism– Custom-designed tamper-proof or very cheap bicycles

Maintenance an issue– Special staff members or volunteers from community

service programmes

What?• A bicycle race through Singapore’s road

networks, akin to a walkathon

Why?

• Publicity for fun cycling

• Cycling more attractive

• Opportunity to socialise

Details of Cyclathon• Organised by SACA & the Sports Council

• On park connectors or roads

• During a weekend, to attract more cyclists

• Different categories– Competitive for professionals

– Non-competitive for amateurs

• Fund-raising and educational funfair at finishing location

Ways to Counter Problems Poor turnout

– Publicity

“I’m too old/unfit to participate” mentality– Promotional campaign to dispel misconceptions– Plan cyclathon with participants’ needs in mind

Too few local professional cyclists– Invite foreign professional cyclists– Host international cycling events in Singapore,

with cyclathon as a fringe event

• More road cyclists result in less serious road accidents

• Safer routes for cyclists of tomorrow

• Leaves more space for spatially constrained Singapore