A Better Ride

About this project and this person

• Who I am
• How I got cycling
• What and where I cycle
• Why cycle and why this project

Who I am

Hello from Singapore. This survey started as part of my dissertation for an MSc in Environmental Policy. Before that I did Geography, and wrote a dissertation on ‘The place of wet markets in Singapore’ (12,000 words of woffle). Anyway enough about dissertations. back to top

How I got cycling

When I was 18, a friend got me cycling on Sundays, on a road bike borrowed from another friend. Unfortunately I never enjoyed it because I didn’t adjust the bike properly, so my memories were ouch and ouch.

Then started university in the UK, and got a secondhand bike to go everywhere in daily life. Whenever I was home, I borrowed my cousin’s bike, and soon found that cyclists are bottom-class in transport – not allowed on pavements, not appreciated on roads.

Then moved to London, with the road bike which my friend very kindly gave me. Despite nasty traffic, ridiculous potholes and longer distances, I came to like cycling even more. back to top

What and where I cycle

And I’m now very attached to that road bike, after some adjustments. It’s a 1992 Trek 2300 – an early carbon-aluminium frame. The crankset isn’t Biopace any more and the stem is no longer 26mm, but frame is still classic.

In London I got to school and work mostly by bike – the 9 km ride was great even in rush hour, since I could use the bus lane and there were some bike lanes. 

Apart from commuting I did some longer days out. My first multi-day ride was the Coast to Coast. That led to a few more, ending with a fundraising solo ride from Edinburgh to London.

In Singapore I rode to work for my first 2 years as I was lucky to have a bike- and shower-friendly office. Since then I’ve mainly ridden for recreation – yes, those early morning lycra wearing cyclists. back to top

Why cycle and why this project

To me, nothing beats seeing the city at street level, at your own speed. Turn out of Vauxhall and suddenly your wheel’s in line with the London Eye. Cross Waterloo Bridge, the Whitehall skyline spreads left, the City skyline stretches right. And again at dusk, the river catches the sunset on one side, lights come to life on the other.

But I romanticise too much. In London, cycling was also about getting wet and cold and sweaty, lugging helmet waterproofs lights pannier D-lock bright jacket thick gloves, and dodging potholes and jaywalkers and cabs in the freezing dark (at 5pm in winter).

Singapore has good roads and no winter, two advantages already. It’s hot but if you’ll sweat anyway, might as well get some exercise at the same time. But you might not agree and that’s why this survey is here – to see if and how a cycling system could work. back to top