It is ILLEGAL to cycle on "footways" in Singapore except in Tampine GRC!

Wow! After the news on the "Neighbourhood Schools", now there is another funny news on cycling in the HDB neighbourhoods in Singapore!

From end of February next year, residents in Tampines GRC can cycle LEGALLY on "footways" as mentioned in the news media. Anywhere else in Singapore, if you cycle, you cycle ILLEGALLY! And worse, there is no plan to expand the legalisation of cycling to the rest of the island.

On the one hand, it is recognised that cycling is a very healthy, environmentally friendly and money-saving way of travelling around in the housing estates; on the other hand, you are told that it is illegal to cycle around on the pathways ( or people here call them the "footways"). Does that sound weird, contradicting and ridiculous?

This means to say that outside of Tampines GRC, no residents should cycle because it is illegal to do so. Now, if cyclist are not allowed to cycle on the footways, where do you expect them to cycle on?

If safety is the main concern, wouldn't be more unsafe if cyclists are forced to cycle on the main road where they have to share the road with the motorists who are the kings of the roads? Have you heard of pedestrians being killed by cyclists on the pathways? Or have you actually heard of many cases of cyclists and even pedestrians killed by motor vehicles on the main road?

Why are those concrete pavements called "footways"? Why do we have to limit the usage by this term when so much money is spent in building those concrete pavements? Why aren't they called pathways or just pavements, a name or term that is more generic and does not limit its usage.

There has already been general acceptance of having cyclists share pathways with pedestrians. The pathways are generally wide enough to allow both cyclists and pedestrians. All that is required is courtesy and kindness when using the pathways just like the motorists on the road are told to be kind and courteous when using the roads.

Why make the big fuss out of an issue that was not an issue in the first place? If there is anything useful to enforce, it would be to stop motorcyles and motorised bicycles from operating on the pathways because any motorised means of transport would cause serious injury to pedestrians when accident happens. Bicycles that are manually- and foot-pedalled would never kill!!!

As far as I am concerned, the solution is obvious and simple. Just change the name "footpaths" to "pathways" or "pavements", then amend the law and tell everybody in Singapore that from now on, the pathways are to be shared by cyclists and pedestrians. Period.

Why is there a need to conduct a trial run for 20 months and at the end to legalise cycling in the Tampines GRC. Goodness me! In Hokkien, we say, "chia pah kah eng!" which means "Nothing better to do!"