Alex, Siok Foon and the new eBike

Alex has been considering cycle to work for a few years, but never really take that critical step. He used to ride MTB and road bike. He is not afraid of cycling on road. However, like many, without a shower at work it makes cycling to work quite impossible; no body want to work with sweat stint the whole day!

When Alex saw our new eBike his long gave up idea suddenly becomes more feasible. He can ride to the MRT station near his house, bring the bike on-board the train, and ride the remaining 7km to work from the other end of the MRT trip. If Alex so prefer, he can finish the entire trip without breaking a sweat.

The super-lightweight and foldable eBike (Model 2011) change the game play. Here is smiling Alex with his new toy, accompanied by Siok Foon, daughter of Uncle Lau- what a coincident!

eBike? At first I was very much against it. Because it take away a very important goal of using a bicycle – the physical exercise. I felt that by having the bicycle powered by electricity, it remove the incentive to pedal physically and therefore the heath and fitness value reduced.

However, after talking to some customers and reading others opinions, I started to realize that eBike, being easier to pedal reduce one of the concern of a potential cyclist, will likely to encourage more potential cyclist to try cycling. Further more, for those who want to cycle to work but do not have shower facility at the office, eBike can be their sweat-free solution of B2W.

The only criteria I set for an eBike is that it should be able to bring into the MRT, or bus, keeping the same multi-modal-transportation flexibility as the original JZ88 folding bike.

Is this possible?

more:

Thanks for all who have feedback. Here is a complied list of all the contributors:

1) What I like about the trial:

I can travel a long distance on public transport and then cycle to the exact point I need to go. Healthy, green, convenient and save money!

No need to walk a long distance or wait for shuttle bus

Bus drivers and MRT personnel are pleasant toward folding bike users.

On the road, I noticed SMRT bus drivers are more cautious toward cyclists

The possibility to use MRT/bus come in very handy when it rain.

2) Problem/issues I faced during the trial:

I can’t use the folding bike during peak hours

Sometimes the train/bus is too crowded for folding bike to board

On Buses, I need to squeeze through a narrow passage before reaching the open space near the exit of the bus

There is a social stigma against cyclists. I get the feeling that Taxi drivers and large truck drivers really don’t like cyclists on the road.

A few times I had to stop quite dangerously to avoid knocking into cars that try to cut in front of me to turn left.

I notice some cyclists are quite rude toward pedestrians, as if they own the pavement.

3) Improvement suggestions:

Allow folding bikes at all times, not just peak hours. Otherwise there should be theft-proof parking facilities in MRT station.
Allowed folding bike to board from the exit (near to the space for wheel chair)

Allocate a “cyclist cart” on each train (remove all the seats) for folding bike /bulky objects. This helps to ease the conflict between passengers and folding bike cyclists.

Have operator to run a “folding bike share” program along all the MRT stations. User can pick up from any station and drop off at another station. SMRT can use the MRT to relocate the bikes to balance the demand in each station.

Improve road safe (e.g. reduce car speeds), especially in busy area near to the stations or shopping center.

Mark out a bicycle lane on road/ or on pavement where fast traffic is dangerous for cyclist.

Add bicycle rack in front of SMRT buses.

Read more:
LTA “Fold it and Ride it” trial on MRT and Buses
How to bring folding bike on Buses?
How to bring folding bike on MRT?

Jz88 has been invited, along with other major brands of folding bikes in Singapore, to share feedback regarding the ‘Foldable Bicycle Trial on Trains and Buses’ that ends on 24 Nov 08.

If you have anything to said, feel free to post your comments here:

1) What is good about the trial?

2) What is not so good about it?

3) How would you suggest for improvement?

The meeting will be on this Friday, so post your comment before Thursday if you want your view to be included.