Foldable bicycles now allowed on buses during
weekdays
SINGAPORE: Foldable bicycles are now allowed onboard buses
even on weekdays, but not during rush hour.
The test move by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) will assess if
bus operation will be affected.
Before this, commuters could only bring foldable bicycles onto
buses on weekends and public holidays.
But from Monday, commuters can do so during off-peak hours on
weekdays as well - Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 4.30pm, and from
7.30pm to end of bus services.
Cyclists welcome the move but said it takes understanding from both
cyclists and non-cyclists to for it to work.
Said cyclist Francis Chu: "If the government allows foldable
(bicycles) to be accessed by the public transport during the peak
period, it may create some tension between the normal passenger and
people who are carrying a foldable bike. Of course, it takes both
sides, understanding from both sides to make it possible."
Said Steven Lim, a bicycle shop owner: "(Vehicles on the roads) are
giving more ways, more space to the cyclists, even when they are
passing, cutting us.
“They would horn before they overtake us, or they would slow their
speed. But there are much improvement needed, especially with the
private cars and coaches. We need to educate and co-exist and give
more space to the cyclist."
Lim said his bicycle shop, which was set up in 2006, has seen sales
of foldable bikes double since LTA introduced the bike trial in
May.
He now sells an average of 50 foldable bicycles per month, mostly
to retirees and young families.
He said most of the customers use the bicycles for leisure, as the
hours permitted for use on buses are confined to off-peak
hours.
- CNA/yb
