WHEN I drive to work along Holland, Grange and River Valley roads at about 7.30am, it is common to see one or two cyclists on the roads ("Number of cyclists caught breaking rules: At least three a day"; last Saturday).
For drivers, keeping to the 1.5m recommended distance from a cyclist is already almost impossible without putting cars in the next lane in jeopardy.
It is not uncommon to see two cyclists riding abreast nonchalantly, and this presents a challenge to other, less confident motorists.
A few days ago, I even saw a cyclist without a helmet riding against the flow of traffic.
Sometimes, when I take the bus to work, I see cyclists riding in the bus lane, for instance, along Telok Blangah Road, and inconveniencing an entire busload of passengers. This is a common sight and defeats the purpose of the bus lane, which is meant to help buses make faster journeys during peak hours.
Cyclists, too, should be banned from using bus lanes during restricted hours, just as motorists are.
Many cyclists travel at high speeds and are at risk of being involved in accidents. If they are going to be allowed on the roads, they should be made to take a test similar to the Highway Code. They should also be required to wear proper protection gear.
Also, the authorities should be more vigilant in enforcing cycling laws on the roads. We should not wait for the next big accident involving cyclists to jolt us into action.
Sim Ghee Choon
For drivers, keeping to the 1.5m recommended distance from a cyclist is already almost impossible without putting cars in the next lane in jeopardy.
It is not uncommon to see two cyclists riding abreast nonchalantly, and this presents a challenge to other, less confident motorists.
A few days ago, I even saw a cyclist without a helmet riding against the flow of traffic.
Sometimes, when I take the bus to work, I see cyclists riding in the bus lane, for instance, along Telok Blangah Road, and inconveniencing an entire busload of passengers. This is a common sight and defeats the purpose of the bus lane, which is meant to help buses make faster journeys during peak hours.
Cyclists, too, should be banned from using bus lanes during restricted hours, just as motorists are.
Many cyclists travel at high speeds and are at risk of being involved in accidents. If they are going to be allowed on the roads, they should be made to take a test similar to the Highway Code. They should also be required to wear proper protection gear.
Also, the authorities should be more vigilant in enforcing cycling laws on the roads. We should not wait for the next big accident involving cyclists to jolt us into action.
Sim Ghee Choon
