Thursday, November 08, 2007

Cyclists

Recently, traffic police revealed statistics which indicate an increasing number of cyclists being caught cycling on the wrong side of the law: expressways and pavements. One cyclist was even killed while cycling on the road shoulder of the expressway.

While it is understandable that it is foolish to be risking one’s precious life cycling on the expressway amidst the fast moving vehicles, it is disconcerting to note that cycling on the pavement constitutes an offence too.

I am a regular cyclist and I shall admit that while there are definitely reckless cyclists threatening the safety of pedestrians on the pavements, there are also reckless motorists on the road who threaten the safety of cyclists.

A majority of our pavements in the country are bicycle-friendly and it is such a relaxing experience to be cycling on the pavements, taking into sight the nice scenery of our heartlands and knowing that one is safer on the pavements rather than to be on the roads, provided one cycle slowly and steadily.

I believe many Singaporeans are still unaware that cycling on pavements is an offence: one can just see the slew of people cycling on the pavement everyday.

The compromise between pedestrians and cyclist on pavements is similar to that between motorists and cyclists on roads. It boils down to tolerance and gracefulness.

No comments :

Total Pageviews