the article on the ride in today's ST
http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/sub/singapore/story/0,5562,293682,00.html?
Jan 3, 2005
Bike ride in memory of dead friend
Cyclists gather to raise awareness of safety after crash
By Theresa Tan
CYCLING enthusiast Sylvester Ang had started a letter to the
authorities appealing for greater road safety for cyclists, but
never got to finish it. Mr Ang, 37, was pinned under the front
wheel of a bus, after a collision while cycling along Lim Chu Kang
Road on Dec 19.
On Christmas Eve, the store designer succumbed to his multiple
injuries and died.
Early yesterday morning, his friends gathered more than 100
cyclists, including MP Ong Kian Min, to raise awareness of an issue
that was high on the dead man's mind - getting drivers to recognise
and respect cyclists as fellow road users.
Mr Ang's widow, who did not wish to be interviewed, flagged off the
group from the Peirce Reservoir carpark for yesterday's 60km
ride
The cyclists observed a minute's silence before setting off 7.30am,
in memory of the man described as an excellent husband, a sports
enthusiast and a good friend.
Most of them wore red, Mr Ang's favourite colour, as they pedalled
their way to Mandai, Choa Chu Kang, Bukit Timah and back to the
Peirce Reservoir carpark.
One of the organisers, Mr Adrian Mok, 29, said: 'People feel
connected to Sylvester's accident. We've all experienced something
nasty while out riding, but Sylvester's death was a blow to
us.'
The group from the Triathlon Family, which comes together to train
for triathlons and which Mr Ang was a part of, said yesterday's
event was also to remind cyclists to ride carefully.
The police said comment on the accident is inappropriate as
investigations are continuing.
However, aerobics instructor Noor Azmah knows the perils of cycling
on the roads all too well.
The 30-something turned up for the ride, even though she didn't
know Mr Ang, to 'support the cause'.
Just two weeks ago, Miss Noor, who cycles everywhere she goes, was
in a collision with a car and hurt her leg. Two years ago, she
suffered head injuries in another road accident.
Freelance writer Alan Francis, 47, attested to the callous
behaviour of many motorists.
He, too, has been involved in several accidents and a lot of
near-misses.
The avid cyclist said: 'Too many motorists think that cyclists have
no right to be on the road.
'At times, motorists pretend that you are not there or try to scare
you off by coming really close to your bike.'
Mr Ong, a Member of Parliament for Tampines GRC and chairman of the
Government Parliamentary Committee for Transport, also showed up to
give the riders a boost.
He said his GPC would work with the authorities to improve road
safety and safety awareness for cyclists.
