Safe cycling in Singapore roads

Singapore road doesn’t have allocated space for cyclists. In any accident involving cyclist and car, the cyclist will be most likely to be killed or seriously injured. There are 120 over road kills every year, 7% of them involve cyclists. I use the following strategy to avoid being involve in such accidents.

The principle is call “Defensive bicycling”. It is a strategy that can increase your safety margin.

First, don’t assume ALL drivers can see you (e.g. they may be talking on the phone..). Second, make yourself very visible on the road so that MOST drivers notice you earlier which allows them to keep a distance from you.

To increase your visibility, dress in bright color cloths, put on a bright color cap or helmet, ride steadily along the road. Install bright front and rear lights if you need to ride at night. But don’t think you are safe yet, read on.

There are 6 factors affecting the safety of cyclists on Singapore road. Two of them: the design of the roads, and driver’s behavior are not in cyclist’s control. But you can use the other 4 factors to improve your chances of survival.

Your route choice
Your route choice can drastically affect your safety and your experience of Singapore. Take time to explore alternative routes, it will be worthwhile.
If you need to cover a long distance and can’t avoid dangerous roads, consider combining your cycling with MRT or Bus by using a folding bike – you can always find a safe route to your nearest Bus or MRT station.

Your skill and attitude
You need to be in complete control of your bike. If you are riding on the road, can you turn your head to check over your shoulder and keep the steering steady? Can you give hand signals without losing control of your bike? If not, practice in a park before venturing on the road.
Attitude, always consider safety ahead of speed.

Your awareness
- Most of the traffic accident occur at the road junctions. Pay special attention when crossing the junctions. Or better, cross the road at other points and avoid the junctions all together.
- Being predictable make it easy for drivers to keep a distance from you. Avoid sudden changes of direction. Riding in relatively straight lines is safer than darting in and out around obstacles, such as parked vehicles.
- Take the lane when traffic is slow at the junction to prevent turning cars cut into your lane.
- Some roads in Singapore are design for car speed well over the 50km limit (e.g. Toa Payoh Lorong 1). Slower cyclists will be more at risk due to the speed differences from the fast moving traffic passes by.
- Riding opposite to traffic direction is much more dangerous than it seems, because the speed difference is even greater and the drivers sure don’t have any time to react if anything happen unexpectedly.
- Drivers may be distracted behind the wheel. Keep an extra safe distance.
- Pavements is a safe haven if the roads gets too dangerous. However, do respect the right of way of pedestrian. Also be extremely careful when merge back into the road. Driver can not react if you come out suddenly.
- Side streets are usually much safer than main roads, but you still need to be alert for cars coming from the sides.
- Don’t trust the road signs and traffic light signals 100%, some drivers may be distracted and not following completely. Make sure no driver is in a possible position to hurt you before crossing the road. For example, if the traffic green man is on but a car is still approaching the crossing, I will wait until the car slows down and stop before I start to cross.

Your bicycle
Your bicycle should be in good working condition with good brakes. Fitted with front and rear light if you need to cycle at night.