in case u dun read chinese well...some1 translated it
THE SENTIMENTS OF THE SINGAPORE MOTORCYCLIST
In Singapore, it is not easy to become a motorcyclist, what more
with the dangers they face on the roads that are more than often
increased by other road users.
Lets compare between a Class 3 license and a Class 2B.
Singapores 3 driving centres all follow the same Class 3 syllabus
laid down by the Traffic Police (TP). Practical lessons are grouped
into 33 subjects. Due to the high cost of each session ($50-$60),
driving centres tend to be more lenient, allowing most students to
pass each subject on his or her 1st attempt. Such a candidate would
probably take about 18 lessons, and usually between 4 to 5 months
to complete the syllabus.
Class 2B syllabus has only 8 stages, however it is very common for
students to take up to 4 lessons to clear each stage. Hence more
than often it would take about the same number of lessons and time
as Class 3.
Driving centres are also required to let students sit for an
evaluation test before the actual TP test, with both classes
allowing a maximum of 18 points before failure. Class 3 students
however are allowed more slack, and minor mistakes that when
accumulated would cause the student to fail are overlooked. This is
not the case in Class 2B where every small mistake would be taken
into consideration.
Over the years, Class 2B requirements have also become tougher. The
minimum age has since been raised from 16 to 18. Apparently there
are plans to bring it up to 21. Emergency brake is no longer tested
on dry roads. The road is purposely sprayed with water to increase
the difficulty.
I really have to agree with and praise the changes. We choose to
ride bikes not because it is safe, but rather it is a cheap and
fast way to get us to our destination. Studies have shown that in
Singapore, the group of riders who get involved in accidents most
often are young people (below 25) and riding 2B bikes. Raising the
standards of 2B license in the long run would only benefit us
riders.
Even safe-riding and safety-conscious riders like us are not spared
from danger. Drivers have for long, lamented about the number of
reckless riders. I would just like to say that there is probably
more reckless riders out there. Motorcyclists generally belong to
the lower income group, and cannot afford to buy cars. This is
however groundless to cause drivers to look down on riders. It is
also evident that other than taxi drivers, the drivers who give the
least respect to riders would be those driving large cars (above
2000cc). There is also an increase in the modification of Japanese
saloon cars for roadracing. Such drivers more than often have ill
disregard for traffic rules, driving at average speeds of more than
100km/h, and changing lanes recklessly. We have seen goods
vehicles, lorries or even prime movers speeding.
Drivers often do not take into consideration motorcycles around
them, changing lanes, braking and overtaking without giving due
warning, causing riders to E-brake, change lanes dangerously to
avoid an accident and being squeezed out of their lanes. I have
seen drivers at a crossroad junction overtake dangerously from the
right side, cutting in to the left to make a left turn and missing
the motorcycle by a few centimeters.
Drivers may say that costs of buying and maintaining a motorcycle
is very much cheaper compared to a car, but this does not mean that
our lives are of less value. The lower costs come at a price of the
higher risks to our lives. We are not asking drivers to be
responsible for the safety of riders, but just to be aware of us
and do not view us as insignificant road users. The TP can help to
educate drivers on this, and also to punish severely
offenders.
I realized that new shopping malls in the new towns, for example,
Rivervale Mall, Rivervale Plaza and Compass Point do not allow
motorcycles to use their car parks, forcing riders to park on
pavements and causing inconvenience to pedestrians. TP has not done
much to help on this, instead choosing to issue traffic summons.
This is not a long-term solution for this problem. Just give us an
area to park. Most riders would be happy and definitely not that
stingy to complain about a minimal parking fee.
The dangers and marginalization of motorcycles on the roads have
been a problem that most riders were not willing or able to raise.
However these days, a new breed of riders are emerging, one that
are more highly educated, and economically better, and more willing
to speak out in order to increase their road safety.
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