Ride here, ride now

[chahlley]

(Weekend Guide Today Saturday 17 September 2016)

The cycling fad

Ride here, ride now

Using bicycles for work and play is becoming increasingly popular

Above: Yes, cycling can be a way of life in Singapore;

an artist’s impression (below) of the first automated bicycle-parking system at Kampong Admiralty, which will roll out early next year.  Photos: Land Transport Authority; Istock

Emilia Tan features@mediacorp.com.sg

SINGAPORE — If you do not own a bicycle, you should consider getting your own ride now. Afterall, Singapore is getting closer to becoming a bicycle-friendly city, with many government initiatives pushing for a  car-lite society.

Last week, the Government announced that Tengah is going to be developed into the country’s first car-free town centre, while earlier this month, Kampung Admiralty took the spotlight when it was highlighted that it would be the site for Singapore’s first automated bicycleparking system. These come hot on the heels of other public initiatives such as Car-Free Sunday in the Civic District and a bike-sharing pilot that will kickoff in Jurong Lake District  next year.

Malls and condominiums have gotten the memo, too: Funan Digital Mall will have its own indoor cycling path after renovations are completed in three years. And new condo River-bank at Fernvale will launch a bicyclesharing facility for residents  next year.

No doubt the cycling movement here is growing in leaps and bounds. Bicycle shops, cycling interest groups and cycling events have also sprung up over the years. And most of the bicycle shops that TODAY spoke to claim there is greater interest in cycling now, be it in terms of buying a bicycle or just making enquiries.

Co-owner of Tokyobike Singapore Jolyn Chua, 34, told  TODAY that sales have seen “about a 25 per cent increase each year since they started in 2011”, while managing director of Hello, Bicycle! Maksimenko Irina, 33, revealed that “there has been an increase in sales as well as demand … (leading to) an increase of roughly 20 per cent in sales figures in  recent years”.

Brand and marketing manager of Coast Cycles Tony Tan, 50, shared that Coast Cycles has received “more enquiries over the years”, and customers are always checking in for “fresh and unique” bicycles. “It means that they are interested. Overall, there’s more awareness about cycling now. We see a lot of youngsters (in their early 20s), and those in their mid-30s or even early 40s, who come by to check our new launches. They are all cycling  for leisure.”

Tan said Coast Cycles also has a set of demo bicycles, and it encourages customers to “test it out” before  purchasing.

Cycling groups have seen a surge in members. Cofounder of LovecyclingSG Francis Chu, 56, said he started the group back in 2010 with only seven members, “but the number has been growing exponentially over the past six years. Today, our Facebook group has 14,631 members”. The group meets every Sunday morning to take on different trails, and conducts a roundthe-island session with a smaller group on Friday nights.
Like many others, Chu was prompted to pick up cycling in 2004 as a form of exercise, after encountering health scares. “I started to experience frequent dizziness after squatting for just a few minutes or when I walked up the stairs quickly … (thus) I began to look for a form of moderate exercise that I could perform regularly. I’ve benefitted from regular cycling … it’s better with the increasing (number of) park connectors, and improved intra-town connections such as the new cycling paths in Ang Mo Kio town, and other seamless connections, and I’m very happy and encouraged to see that the cycling communities are growing  in popularity.”

Fellow cycling enthusiast and founder of JoyRiders, Joyce Leong, 60, started her club in 2006 and has seen numbers growing through the decades. Today, her group has 1,900 members. She quipped: “Cycling is a fantastic way to see the world, and at the same time to keep fit and (make) friends from different walks of life!  We just need to educate people to share the road and ride  safely, too.”

Cycling is a fantastic way to see the world, and at the same time to keep fit and (make) friends from different walks of life! Joyce Leong, Cycling Enthusiast and founder of Joyriders

The best bike trails to ride this weekend:

SINGAPORE – Cycling is cost-saving, eco-friendly, a great form of moderate exercise, a way to relax and let loose, and even a strategic way to help Pokemon Go addicts “hatch eggs”. TODAY spoke to cycling enthusiast Dean Koh, Coast Cycles’ Tony Tan and  LoveCyclingSG’s co-founder Francis Chu about the bike trails you  can try.

Short Trail (1 to 5km)

- Chestnut Nature Park South

Distance: 1.6km,  Cycling time: 10 to 15 minutes, Difficulty level: Moderate

Located at the eastern end of Chestnut Avenue, Chestnut Nature Park has namely two areas — South and North. The South was opened to the public in early April, while the North area will open by the end of this year. The South biking trail is 1.6km long and forms a small loop. It takes only 10 to 15 minutes to go around, thus cyclists are encouraged to go for as many rounds as they would like, in accordance with their pace and preference. Bicycle rental is also available.

- Siglap Park Connector

Distance: 5km, Cycling time: 30 minutes, Difficulty level: Easy

Begin your day with breakfast at the East Coast Lagoon Food Village, before heading to the Siglap Park Connector situated at C4 of East Coast Park. Bicycle rentals are available there and at Telok Kurau Park. Siglap Park Connector runs partly along Siglap Canal and several housing estates. It also interlinks East Coast Park, Bedok Reservoir Park, Bedok Town Park and Telok Kurau Park.

MedIum Trails (6 to 10km)

- Eastern Coastal Loop

Length: 8.3km, Cycling time: 1 hour, Difficulty level: Easy

Start your journey from Tanjong Rhu Promenade, (located opposite Singapore Sports Hub and next to Gardens by the Bay, Bay East), and cycle towards East Coast Park. If you do not have your own bicycle, it is also possible to rent one and start from East Coast Park Area C4 instead. From there, cycle towards Gardens by the Bay (Bay East), where there are plenty of photo opportunities. Enjoy the beautiful conservatories at Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay Sands and Singapore Flyer, and even check out the F1 track. Grab a bite at the famous Satay by the Bay if you’re feeling peckish from the ride. The route allows you to cycle past Singapore Sports Hub and end your journey back at Tanjong Rhu Promenade.

- Pulau UbIn – Ketam Trail

Distance: 10km, Cycling time: 1 hour 15 minutes, Difficulty level: Moderate

If you enjoy fresh air and adore the simple 1970s kampung life, and want to take a short break from the fast-paced city life, this trail is for you. Just a 10-minute bumboat-ride away, Pulau Ubin is indeed a quiet and peaceful nature reserve. There lies the international-standard Ketam Mountain Bike Park, which features a 10km off-road trail, suitable for all riders who yearn for a little adventure. The well-designed trail is said to offer a good speed. During your ride, expect to encounter wild boars, monkeys, rare birds and, if you are lucky, monitor lizards. End your day with delicious seafood and cold drinks at First Stop Restaurant before taking the bumboat back  to town.

Cyclists are encouraged to bring their own bicycles, at an additional charge (about S$4) to the bumboat operator. For those who do not want to lug their bicycles across, bicycle rental is available (per day S$6 to S$12).

Long Trails (10km and Above)

- Choa Chu kang to BukIt Batok Nature Park

Distance: 12km, Cycling time: 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, Difficulty level: Moderate

Warm up at Choa Chu Kang Park, which is situated a stone’s throw away from Choa Chu Kang MRT Station, and head towards Pang Sua Park Connector. You will pass by Zhenghua Park; do keep a look out because this is where you can spot a variety of birds such as parakeets and woodpeckers, sea eagles and sunbirds. The trail’s difficulty level will start increasing, but the consolation and motivation are that the Bukit Batok Nature Park is not too far away from there on. Treat yourself to coffeeshop delights around the neighbourhood upon completing your journey.

- North Eastern  RIverine Loop

Distance: 26km, Cycling time: 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours, Difficulty level: Easy

Suitable for long-distance lovers and beginner riders, the trail starts at the Serangoon Park Connector at Punggol Park. There is a bicycle kiosk situated here where you can conveniently rent a bicycle to start your estimated twohour-long journey. Rental prices range from S$8 to S$10 an hour. From scenic sunsets to Instagram-worthy spots, the North Eastern Riverine Loop has a lot to offer. Riding on this trail will take you through Sungei Serangoon Park Connector, Punggol Promenade Riverside Walk, Lorong Halus Wetland, Punggol Promenade Nature Walk, Punggol Promenade Punggol Point Walk, Punggol Park Connector, Sengkang Riverside Park, Buangkok Park Connector and Punggol waterway Park. If you are into photography, you may stop over at Punggol Point, Lorong Halus Bridge, Sunrise bridge, and Jewel bridge. The scenery is mesmerising, especially during sunset. Emilia Tan