Lian Cheong, Channel NewsAsia 15 Sep 08;
SINGAPORE: Foldable bicycles are now allowed onboard buses even on weekdays, but not during rush hours.
The test move by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) will assess if bus operations 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 for it to work.
Cyclist Francis Chu said: "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."
Steven Lim, a bicycle shop owner, said: "(Vehicles on the roads) are giving more ways, more space to the cyclists, even when they are passing... 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
