Esther Ng Today Online 18 Sep 10;
SINGAPORE - Some get around by bus, others by car or the bicycle, but the trishaw?
On Sunday, 36 consulate staff from 12 different foreign missions will, in teams of three comprising two passengers and a rider, manoeuvre their trishaws across various obstacles in a race.
The race is one of the many activities of the Singapore G1, to raise awareness of green transport technologies and green alternative energy through educating and engaging the public.
The Singapore G1 is a family event organised by the Singapore Environment Council at The Float@Marina Bay.
Mr Ole Sorensen, the head of the Royal Danish Embassy's trade department, is adequately prepared for the race.
He swims every morning, runs at MacRitchie once a week and also mountain-bikes.
Mr Sorensen, who does not have a car, takes the bus to work.
"I would cycle to work if there were special lanes for bikes like in Denmark," said Mr Sorensen, who is in his 50s. "You don't really need a car in Singapore because public transport here is good."
He also tries to reduce his carbon footprint by limiting long-haul overseas trips to only three a year, now that he is based here.
Pedalling in the hot seat for the Embassy of the Republic of Korea is Defence Attache Lee Jong Chul.
"He's a military man and I'm sure he has been keeping fit," said Mr Lee Yong Hwan, the embassy's Commercial Counsellor.
"However, the focus for us is not on speed but our costumes and our green message of 'Low Carbon, Green Growth', which in 2008, was declared as a Korean national catchphrase," said Mr Lee.
Asked how this message would be displayed during the race, Mr Lee said it will be a "surprise" to be revealed on race day.
What he would say, however, was that the trishaw's passengers - two female staff members - will be in Korean national attire.
The British High Commission, on the other hand, is fielding an all-female team.
Its team captain, Ms Julia Sutherland, has been using her bike as her main mode of transport since her university days in Cambridge but this will be her first experience on a trishaw, said spokesperson Nicola Hawdon.
Ms Sutherland is the commission's First Secretary and Head of Chancery.
"Our strategy is to have fun," said Ms Hawdon.
"To optimise our speed for the race, we have chosen as passengers the most petite staff members that we could find, so as to maintain the lightest load possible."
Other events happening at the G1 include a soap-box car race, a buggy race and an eco-car race.
When 2 wheels are better than 4
Cycling enthusiasts say pedal power is the way to go
Paul Gilfeather Today Online 18 Sep 10;
AS A geography teacher, Mr Muhammad Rezal Ramli peddles the environmental benefits of cycling to his pupils at every opportunity.
A regular bike commuter for the past three years, Mr Rezal believes his message is beginning to filter through to the next generation. Talking ahead of Sunday's Singapore G1 event to promote greener ways of travel, he said: "As a geography teacher, I focus on environmental and conservation issues, which I can combine with my interest in promoting cycling.
"But, it's important that people don't see the promotion of green issues as just a cliché and I try to make the point that cycling is one of the best and easiest ways to make a contribution to the cause.
"Cycling is a more effective way than most because it is something which can be a daily activity. I don't tell my pupils that with cycling you can single-handedly save the planet, so to speak, but you can certainly make a small, significant contribution.
Mr Rezal, who teaches at Ping Ti Secondary School in Bedok, believes the Government is genuinely on board with the idea of getting people out of their cars and on to their bikes.
He added: "I think this was a movement that was always going to have to come from the grassroots up. But now the Government can see that there are enough numbers to support the idea of cycling, ministers will begin to make the necessary changes."
But, he reckoned, road conditions have to be improved for cyclists in Singapore. And greater promotion of the benefits is needed as well.
"There is no doubt Singapore can adapt and make the necessary changes but what's even more interesting is waiting to see what kind of original solutions are implemented.
"Singapore has a tremendous track record for sound solutions to problems and I am sure the issue of cycling will be tackled in the same way."
Mr Rezal, who is also president of the Singapore Tchoukball Association, hailed the G1 event.
Previously known as the Green Transport Week, and organised by the Singapore Environment Council, the event is designed to raise awareness of alternative energy solutions and promote green technologies in transportation. It is all part of the move towards a cleaner, greener Singapore, in which the Government has pledged to cut carbon emissions by 16 per cent within 10 years.
Paediatrician Janil Puthucheary is another avid cyclist keen to see Singapore improve its green credentials.
The consultant at Kandang Kerbau Women's and Children's Hospital is a firm believer that the scientific case will eventually see greater numbers convert from four wheels to only two in the near future.
"The figures on pollution and energy consumption become more and more convincing all the time," he said.
Singapore, according to him, is in a great position to address this problem in a positive way.
"We can capitalise on the fact that we are such a compact society to promote the idea of integrated travel through cycling and public transport. In some ways it's easier to sell the idea of cycling because there are no huge distances to cover, like with other cities around the world.
"Coupled with the fact that we have very good public transport infrastructures here, it's not such a hard sell. Cycling does not just have to be the domain of a small group of enthusiasts. I would like to see a greater chunk of the population use it as way to travel, in conjunction with buses and the MRT."
Dr Puthucheary, who also works as a lecturer at Duke-NUS medical school, is keen to dispel the notion that Singapore is a difficult place to commute on a bike.
He added: "I've commuted on my bike while living and working in London and Sydney and that was far more treacherous.
"In a way, when it comes to promoting the bicycle, Singapore has been a victim of its own success. The reason cities like London and Barcelona ploughed so much investment into initiatives like cycle lanes was because its roads were struggling to cope with chronic traffic buildup.
"So far, Singapore has dealt with such congestion issues, so promoting cycling has been tougher in that respect."
The dad of three, who was born in Malaysia but is now a Singapore citizen, started bike commuting in 1997 but gave up in 2003 due to family and work commitments.
He took up cycling again last year in an attempt to make his contribution to the environment and also because it meant he could exercise while travelling to work, freeing up more time to spend with his family.
"I think we have to concentrate on the positive effects of cycling by promoting how good it is for your health and the environment. It's that simple."
Members of the public can head down to the Float @ Marina Bay on Sept 19, between 2pm and 8pm, to watch Asia's first Soap Box Derby. For more information, please visit www.singaporeg1.sg or call SEC on 6337 6062.
