Flickr image "Bicycle" by Julien Hery
I’m quite close to starting my “cycle your way to work” project as my workplace is about 10km away from my home. This is a realistic distance for commuting to work by bicycle.
I’ve decided to embark on this project because I don’t drive to work daily as my spouse uses the car to run errands with my daughter so I decided to look for an alternate and healthy mode of transport. There is a direct bus from my home to the workplace but the bus can take up to 45minutes in the morning to get to my destination.
I’ll be posting more on this development as it is a way to save money and to get exercise at the same time. I value my life so I’ll avoid the roads for most of the journey and make use of park connectors for 60-70% of the journey.
More when I get my gear and start my cycling adventures.
Be well and prosper.
musicwhiz says:
I had seriously considered this as well as my office is within 10 km from my home. But Singapore’s weather and climate is just not suitable for cycling to work. It’s hot, humid and leaves you with a layer of sticky sweat by the time you reach your destination. This means you have to take a shower unless you powder yourself down and change into office clothes. Add to that, weather is very unpredictable and it can rain anytime, anywhere. It’s not wise or safe to hold an umbrella while cycling, and raincoats may impede movement.
To make it all worse, Singapore has no cycling lanes (unlike China), so it’s a constant squeeze either on the road or footpaths. The constant construction work all over the island compounds the problem as it makes it even more difficult to navigate.
All this is from my perspective as a cyclist. And I do go for 20-30km cycles on weekends sometimes, so I know all this.
Cheers,
Musicwhiz
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panzer says:
Hi Musicwhiz
Thanks for the info. I’m also exercising for the health aspects.
The good thing about my current workplace is that they have shower facilities
Be well and prosper.
The Void Deck says:
Ride safe and prosper!
scang says:
It is not safe to cycle to work in singapore roads as there are too many road bullies around. one of my colleague who stayed about 5km from work was knock down by a car, and had to undergo half a year or more of re-habitation. you are better off looking for public transport, like mrt, or the likes.
Harry says:
Hi Panzer,
Good for you. I use to cycle to work as training for a team triathlon but now my work place is now too far. By the way, do you have a place to park the bike safely? If not, you might need to bring the bike into the office and then a foldable bike like the strida may be a good bet (it’s costly though at S$600+)
Panzer says:
@The Void Deck
Thanks for the tip, bro!
@scang
Cheers for the safety tip. I will keep off the roads.
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panzer says:
Hi hjteo
There are places to park my bike as it’s a relatively “safe” place. I haven’t bought my bike yet, still shopping around.
Harry says:
FYI, U can get good used bikes thru Togoparts.com locally at reasonable prices. If you know how to change the tire inner tubes, tire puncture will never be a issue if you bring a spare tube, tire removing tool and a small pump.
chquek says:
Hi, do be careful as Spore road are not bicycle friendly.
createwealth8888 says:
Bro,
I have one friend crippled and one neighbour lost his life due to cycling to work. Cycling during rush hours in Singapore roads are risky and sometime cyclists lost their life due to other motorists’s errors. I don’t think Singapore’s motorists are not cyclists friendly. Not worth the penny save and there are safer way to keep fit. Take care and be safe.
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createwealth8888 says:
Bro,
I have one friend crippled and one neighbour lost his life due to cycling to work. Cycling during rush hours in Singapore roads are risky and sometime cyclists lost their life due to other motorists’s errors. I don’t think Singapore’s motorists are not cyclists friendly. Not worth the penny save and there are safer way to keep fit. Take care and be safe.
panzer says:
Thanks for your feedback Createwealth8888
I’ll keep to park connectors and pavements
I realise the dangers of cycling on the roads during peak hours as I’m a driver too….hahah
panzer says:
Hi chquek
Thanks for your advice! Will listen to it!
Richard says:
hi, would you be getting a foldable bike?
It’s convenient. You can bring to the bus or MRT.
Cheers.
panzer says:
Hi Richard
I’m still thinking about it. But foldable bikes are “officially” not allowed during peak hours and I will drive on weekends as my wife uses the car on weekdays.
Fall Prevention Guy says:
There is another benefit you didn’t meantion. Keeping fit reduces the chances of a workplace accident. I came across this post and just had to add my little bit of experience.
Hundreds of people are disabled every year from preventable accidents