Why do we take long rides on our bikes, at the burst of dawn? There are a whole lot of road bike enthusiasts who take to the East Coast service road at the break of the day and you can see them in groups in their roadie outfits and Oakleys. I once viewed these riders with disdain, because they were always so swift, so confident on their bikes, and sometimes, it looked like they defied all sense of gravity and care from the way they sped along. You get the sense the car drivers ought to be careful and these roadies might enjoy their right of way. Yet, too often, I find Singapore drivers not particularly careful enough about bike riders. They over take in the opposite lanes even when they have full view of the road bikes coming right at time in the opposite direction. One lorry driver did exactly this, and waved his hand in apology as he overtook, knowing fully well he was in the wrong. I wonder if he would be just as casual if he had knocked the bicyclist down - being in the wrong lane, at the wrong time. But any dead cyclist would never be able to defend himself. The law should be simple. Any collision with a motorcyclist or bicyclist by a motorist should by default put the latter at fault. Afterall, a cyclist or a motorcyclist is unprotected, and the laws of physics make it clear - these road users cannot instantly brake the way cars or larger vehicles can absord the kinetic energy and come to a quick rest. With ABS, more car drivers are becoming less and less aware of the need for braking distance. I was on the same park service road this morning and noticed a large dark blue Toyota Camry driven by a lady coming in from the Marine Parade flyover. She halted at the road turning into the service road - a required stop. But even as she could see my bike coming straight pass her, she ignored my bike and moved her car directly across my lane, then looked left to check for oncoming traffic. This was completely unsafe and improper but there were no cameras or traffic cop to make her aware of her bad driving habit. It seems that unless you are on a bike yourself, then only you get to notice these sort of bad driving habits. The current Traffic Police sponsored message to drivers is to "Look Out..." for other road users. Yes, but they need to add: "two-wheeled vehicles like bikes and other unprotected road users need time to brake and stop; motorists need to be careful to give them way if necessary".
But the apparent dangers that these frustrating observations about dangerous road use behaviour aside, the thrill of being open to the wind and feel the raw speed envelop you as you get into gear and take off is one simple reason we all cycle.
The dissassociative sights and sounds of the early morning along East Coast is a plus, and for some, the draw. Ultimately, if you have great machine, the efficiency technology brings to your experience is another draw. My TREK Project One bike is fitted out to make that an ultimate experience, and this morning, I found myself staddling the bike with the arrowbars and taking in the distance from East Coast to Changi beach via the Park Connector like a thirsty barfly quenching down his Guinness... Before long, I am at the familiar northern-most end of the bike trail, and turn south-east. At Changi beach, I must make pilgrimage and pause at bench no. 9, where I remember sitting with Jordan just two years ago, and thinking how peaceful the place was. At 9am, the tide reached the high of the morning, and the water became flat. Ideal for a sea swim, but I will save that for tomorrow, perhaps. I looked around the area, and contemplated the peace, calm and cheerfulness. From the bench where we once sat together, I can see the very spot where out in the open waterway, we had put him to rest. The water is flat, this morning, broken only by the barges and water taxis (bumboats) that still trudge that way. The birds are busy chirping overhead, with the waves gently breaking on the shoreline, and I get this very pleasant sense of quiet joy and warmth - knowing full well, that the ones we love who are gone before us, must surely know a far better peace than even this which we can find here on earth.
Why do we take long rides on our bikes, at the burst of dawn? There are a whole lot of road bike enthusiasts who take to the East Coast service road at the break of the day and you can see them in groups in their roadie outfits and Oakleys. I once viewed these riders with disdain, because they were always so swift, so confident on their bikes, and sometimes, it looked like they defied all sense of gravity and care from the way they sped along. You get the sense the car drivers ought to be careful and these roadies might enjoy their right of way. Yet, too often, I find Singapore drivers not particularly careful enough about bike riders. They over take in the opposite lanes even when they have full view of the road bikes coming right at time in the opposite direction. One lorry driver did exactly this, and waved his hand in apology as he overtook, knowing fully well he was in the wrong. I wonder if he would be just as casual if he had knocked the bicyclist down - being in the wrong lane, at the wrong time. But any dead cyclist would never be able to defend himself. The law should be simple. Any collision with a motorcyclist or bicyclist by a motorist should by default put the latter at fault. Afterall, a cyclist or a motorcyclist is unprotected, and the laws of physics make it clear - these road users cannot instantly brake the way cars or larger vehicles can absord the kinetic energy and come to a quick rest. With ABS, more car drivers are becoming less and less aware of the need for braking distance. I was on the same park service road this morning and noticed a large dark blue Toyota Camry driven by a lady coming in from the Marine Parade flyover. She halted at the road turning into the service road - a required stop. But even as she could see my bike coming straight pass her, she ignored my bike and moved her car directly across my lane, then looked left to check for oncoming traffic. This was completely unsafe and improper but there were no cameras or traffic cop to make her aware of her bad driving habit. It seems that unless you are on a bike yourself, then only you get to notice these sort of bad driving habits. The current Traffic Police sponsored message to drivers is to "Look Out..." for other road users. Yes, but they need to add: "two-wheeled vehicles like bikes and other unprotected road users need time to brake and stop; motorists need to be careful to give them way if necessary".
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