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Singapore is chalk full of wonderful transportation choices together with a complete subway and bus system, low-cost taxis compared to different international locations, and broad sidewalks for strolling. Nonetheless, biking is for my part one of the best ways to get round Singapore. The common Singaporean will suppose you’re loopy to bike by way of town however I’m right here to say that I’m a full time biker in Singapore.
This publish will give attention to the right way to bike throughout the metropolis heart of Singapore. I’m not speaking about passion bikers with race-bikes going for a journey on the weekend. I’m speaking about people who wish to bike full time, commute, and get from level A to level B in Singapore. This publish is for you.
Singapore Biking tradition
The biking tradition in Singapore is just about non-existent. Folks don’t bike within the metropolis as a result of town was by no means designed for bikes. Most Singaporeans commute to work with the MRT (subway) and the bus. Some will drive to work or full time take journey hailing like Seize. Biking is by far the least used methodology of transport in Singapore.
Moreover, most Singaporeans checklist distant from the CBD so biking isn’t reasonable particularly biking by way of the Singaporean warmth. Due to this fact, if you happen to say that you just bike to get round Singapore, you’ll most likely get astonished and confused appears to be like.
The pandemic has positively modified issues and persons are biking greater than they did previously however that is extra round leisure biking. I’m speaking about biking on trails alongside the coast of Singapore versus truly biking to and from work.
My expertise biking in Singapore
I believe biking is one of the best ways to get round for many huge cities. I bike full time in locations like New York, London, and Frankfurt simply to call just a few. All of those cities have nice public transportation programs as nicely however it simply can’t compete with biking.
Singapore isn’t a motorcycle pleasant metropolis however after getting familiarized with town, I believe biking is one of the best ways to get round. I bike full time by way of Singapore and just about by no means use the MRT or the bus system. Not solely does it present me with respectable train after a strong gymnasium session at my favourite gymnasium in Singapore, however it’s positively the quickest approach to get across the metropolis.
For the aim of this publish, it is going to speak completely about biking throughout the metropolis; throughout the visitors of town. I bike full time and I believe it solely actually works if you happen to reside within the CBD space. I largely hold my biking radius to about 4km throughout the CBD of Singapore. This covers many of the hotspots in Singapore as I not often enterprise out of this bubble. Singapore is a small metropolis in any case. For instance, biking from Tanjong Pagar to Orchard (4km) is about so far as I’m going. The whole lot else, I might both take a cab or journey the MRT.
This publish does not discuss passion bikers. If you’re on the lookout for a protracted bike journey on the weekends to Sentosa or alongside the East Coast, this isn’t for you. You don’t have to know a lot as a result of that kind of biking has all the time been round in Singapore and is completely doable.
Singapore is a automobile first nation
Very first thing is first, Singapore isn’t a motorcycle pleasant metropolis. When Singapore designed its roads and visitors system, bikes have been completely by no means a part of the equation. The roads and visitors system in Singapore might be probably the most optimized visitors programs I’ve seen on this planet and why Singapore most likely has the least visitors jams I’ve seen of a metropolis this measurement. There’s a cause they tax the hell out of automobiles so these that may afford it wish to drive snug on a street with out big street jams.
Biking was by no means factored into the equation and including bike lanes to the primary roads of Singapore would absolutely decelerate the visitors movement. That is most likely by no means going to occur if I needed to put cash on it.
In spite of everything, Singaporeans hate being outside so biking by way of the heavy visitors of town isn’t one thing anybody considers. The MRT and bus system in Singapore can be very complete which suggests biking is even much less interesting.
Bike sharing applications in Singapore
For those who don’t wish to purchase your individual bike, there are quite a few bike sharing applications in Singapore. The most well-liked bike sharing applications are:
- SG Bike
- Hey Journey
- Anywheel
SG Bike was the primary bike sharing program to make it onto the scene in Singapore and have been adopted by Chinese language startups HelloRide and Anywheel which have very comparable enterprise fashions and basically the identical bikes.
Journey sharing is sort of low-cost in Singapore in comparison with different huge cities with a 30 minute journey costing S$1. You’ll be able to join limitless week or month-to-month applications for an excellent fee as nicely.
Upon getting your app, you’ll be able to unlock your bike and journey it anyplace across the CBD. You’ll need to drop the bike off at designated parking areas which the app enforces since you’ll have to {photograph} a QR code from that designated space. There are many bike share areas in Singapore so this shouldn’t be a problem.
One factor to notice is that the bikes are small. They seem like youngsters bikes if I’m trustworthy! For those who’re over 178cm, you may really feel that the bikes are too small and too uncomfortable. I’m 183cm and the bikes are nowhere close to sufficiently big for me. The seat doesn’t go almost excessive sufficient for me to increase my legs correctly so the rides are typically uncomfortable.
The place to purchase a motorcycle in Singapore
Very first thing is first, how do you get a motorcycle in Singapore?
Very straightforward. There are numerous methods to buy a motorcycle in Singapore. The most cost effective methods to get a motorcycle is thru Shopee or Carousell. I discovered many Dutch model bikes for simply $150 SGD which had good critiques and seemed like there was promise. After all, that kind of worth for a brand new bike continues to be a bit suspect to me so I didn’t trouble with it.
I ended up shopping for a motorcycle at Decathlon. This French model has quite a few areas in Singapore with their flagship retailer in Orchard promoting top quality Dutch bikes. They even have an on web site bike servicing store that can assist you arrange your bike or present any repairs which might be wanted. I ended up shopping for the Elops Holland bike which is the right metropolis bike for Singapore.
This solely value me $320 SGD which is definitely cheaper than what the identical worth prices in Europe. Much less demand in Singapore! I additionally added on the bike basket (a should) and a lock for a further $30 SGD.
Singapore climate and biking
One of many essential issues to contemplate when biking in Singapore is the climate. Singapore is tropical and on the equator so the temperatures listed below are extremely popular for many of the 12 months. When it’s not tremendous scorching, it’s most likely wet season and you could content material with flash rainstorms. All of these items aren’t bike pleasant.
Very first thing is first, biking in scorching climate isn’t for everybody. For those who’re commuting by biking, you’ll most probably sweat. For this reason I desire to bike in Singapore for a most of 20 minutes at a time. I do know that after 20 minutes, it’s very probably I will likely be sweating, even when it’s not tremendous scorching exterior. I additionally sweat way more than the common individual so everybody’s completely different.
If you could put on a swimsuit or one thing uncomfortable to work, then you could issue this into your biking commute as you’ll most likely be sweating profusely by the point you get in. A variety of workplace buildings in Singapore have a bathe you should use which I do know loads of individuals make the most of once they arrive within the mornings.
Sporting one thing snug and breathable on your morning commute after which placing in your work apparel might be the most effective method to take.
Fortunately, the roads in Singapore are very flat. It’s most likely the flattest metropolis I’ve ever biked in so that you received’t have to exert a lot drive whereas biking that means you won’t sweat as a lot as somebody like me.
The right way to bike in Singapore
Once more, this publish is targeted on speaking about the right way to bike in and round Singapore metropolis. There are many bike trails and parks alongside the fee which is biking heaven however this publish isn’t speaking about that. If you wish to bike within the CBD of Singapore with automobile and foot visitors, you could be ready and perceive what you’re stepping into.
For those who’re simply beginning our your biking life in Singapore, I’ll advise you the right way to do it safely. These are the issues that I realized whereas biking in Singapore and the way I might train somebody to do it now, figuring out all of what I do know.
Biking on the sidewalk
For the entry biker, I might begin by biking on the sidewalks. The sidewalks round most of Singapore are loads sufficiently big to suit pedestrians and bikers. In actual fact, lots of the new “bike paths” which have been created in new years simply divide a sidewalk into two.
Begin slowly by biking alongside the sidewalk with pedestrians in entrance of you. Utilizing your bell is an efficient approach to have individuals transfer over so that you can bike. Folks in Singapore are most likely the nicest pedestrians I’ve ever come throughout as a result of a easy flick of my bell may have individuals transfer to at least one facet. Don’t be too aggressive with the bell although as that’s not appreciated both!
Some sidewalks within the CBD are very small nevertheless. The world round Chinatown or Tanjong Pagar street have very small sidewalks that aren’t acceptable for biking. You’ll rapidly get caught behind pedestrians with nowhere for them to maneuver so you’ll be able to bike by way of.
Bike on the yellow traces on the street
When you’ve turn into snug biking on the sidewalks, now it’s time to bike on the primary street. Sure, you can bike on the roads in Singapore so don’t let anybody let you know in another way.
The one distinction is that Singapore has the least pleasant bike roads potential. As I discussed at the start of the publish, bike lanes aren’t factored into Singapore’s visitors system so you could bike very rigorously.
You’ll see two yellow traces on the fringe of the street bordering the sidewalks. These aren’t bike lanes by any means however they’re completely the place you could be biking if you’re on the street with different automobiles. I’ve by no means skilled automobiles honking at me whereas I’m biking on the yellow traces. Vehicles will drive round you and depart you alone, though they do get a lot nearer than in different international locations.
Don’t be an a-hole and suppose you personal the street as a result of you don’t. Hold issues easy for your self and everybody round you by staying on the yellow traces and simply mixing in.
Going between the sidewalk and the street
When you turn into extra acquainted and cozy biking in Singapore, you’ll be able to alternate between the sidewalk and the street. Usually instances I’ll bike on the roads as it’s a lot sooner than the sidewalks however generally, the roads have too many automobiles and I do know it’s time to return on the sidewalk.
As you get extra conversant in town, you’ll know the place to select your battles and which a part of the street is finest (sidewalk or being on the street itself).
No matter you do, don’t be a loopy biker such as you’ll discover in different cities all over the world. I’m speaking concerning the bikers that bike means too quick zooming out and in of visitors pondering they personal the street. The worst examples of this I can keep in mind are the bizarre bikers in New York that bike means too quick in a loopy condensed metropolis.
In Singapore, biking is the quickest approach to get round however this doesn’t provide the proper to hurry by way of visitors. Simply decelerate and let individuals get the place they should go. If meaning you could wait just a few further seconds so be it!
Dos and Don’ts of biking in Singapore
Here’s a fast checklist and abstract of all of the issues you must do and never do whereas biking in Singapore. I will likely be including to this checklist as I achieve extra expertise biking by way of town!
Observe the visitors lights
Singapore is a tradition that believes in visitors lights. You received’t see many individuals crossing on a crimson mild even when there is no such thing as a visitors coming. For pure security causes whereas biking, don’t try and cross on a crimson mild until it’s very clear no automobiles are coming your means.
Site visitors is quick and ample in Singapore and automobiles don’t decelerate for anybody. Don’t threat it and don’t run a crimson mild. Observe the visitors lights!
Don’t bike towards visitors if you happen to will help it
Biking with visitors is most advisable in Singapore. There aren’t any bike lanes so if you happen to’re biking towards visitors, you might be confronting automobiles head on with little or no wiggle room. Biking with visitors will enable automobiles to move you whereas solely barely veering off their lanes.
I’ve biked towards visitors in smaller streets on the East Coast which is a bit dicey however doable. I nonetheless wouldn’t advise doing it particularly since buses is not going to offer you any advantage of the doubt. Biking towards the movement of visitors on the sidewalk is okay so long as the sidewalks are sufficiently big to suit bikes and pedestrians.
Don’t depend on Google Maps bicycle instructions
The biking instructions on Google Maps are sometimes instances not essentially the most environment friendly approach to get round in Singapore. I’m undecided how the bike instructions are calculated as a result of there aren’t any bike lanes to start with!
I might largely use strolling instructions and bike in line with that. I might nonetheless verify my instructions beforehand simply to ensure it’s not going onto any streets that I knew have been unhealthy.
Spend money on a bicycle cellphone holder
For those who’re new in Singapore and wish to bike, I might extremely advocate investing in a motorcycle cellphone holder. This stuff helped me loads with the preliminary navigation all through Singapore. The cellphone holder allowed me to make use of Google Maps palms free which helped me get to the place I wanted to go.
You’ll find a motorcycle holder on Shopee for $10 they usually connect very simply to your bike. After awhile, I don’t even use the cellphone holder anymore until I’m going someplace out of my consolation space.
Biking is secure in Singapore, simply go and take a look at it!
You is perhaps asking your self is it secure to bike in Singapore? I’ve been biking for a while now and I’m nonetheless alive to inform the story.
I believe it is vitally secure so long as you recognize your limits and also you respect the automobiles. As I keep within the CBD space, I hold most of my biking inside just a few kilometers of the place I’m staying. Biking from Tanjong Pagar to River Valley for instance is a breezy 15 minute journey alongside the river that I can nearly do blindfolded (okay probably not). I keep away from actually huge roads just like the Nicoll Freeway if I will help it and hold principally to roads with only a few lanes. Vehicles will allow you to bike with out supplying you with any problem assuming you keep off the primary lane.
After all, Singapore can’t be in comparison with cities in Europe as a result of there aren’t any bike lanes right here and nothing to really stop a automobile from hitting you. I don’t Singapore will ever get to that stage so don’t hope for it. So long as you get snug with this truth, you should have a good time!
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