It’s really simple, if you spot the right bus.
A while back my friend ask me what’s the best way to bring a folding bike on bus, especially during the peak hours?
I am not a bus person, so that question actually caught me unguarded. I went on to experiment on a few buses in different situations. The very old type of bus with chairs on both sides along the whole length of the bus is the worst. The only location you can leave your bike in such bus is the space on top of the left wheel. Forget about bringing your bike on bus during the peak hour, it is not yet allowed anyway.
Newer buses especially those with wheel chair access are easy. There is a big space for standing passengers and and wheel chair in the middle near the exit, here you can put your bike (folded) just against one of the walls. As seen in this recent news on Channel U clip:
Tips for old bus: make sure your bike is really secured and not moving about when you leave it on top of that platform. If the bike slip and fall it may hurt others.
Tips for new bus: open up the wheel base to gain more stability for the bike. Otherwise if the bus is crowded you can sandwish the bike between your legs and the wall to prevent it from falling.
LTA announced today that from September 15 to November 24, foldable bicycles will be allow on board Buses and MRT during off-peak (9.30 am to 4.30 pm and after 7.30 pm) week days and all day on Saturday Sunday, and public holiday.
The decision is based on the feedbacks from cyclist, bus commuters and bus drivers. During the first half of a 6 month trial of allowing foldable bikes on buses during weekend there were no adverse nor injury reports, and the commuters were accommodating.
Let’s hope the remaining 3 months trial will finish as uneventfully, and the rule will become more open again.
We received a request from LTA. LTA would like to gather feedback from folding bike cyclists about the trial to allow foldable bicycles on board trains and buses, which commenced on 24 May 08. Attached is the survey form. Cyclists may return the survey form to Terence at terence_koah(at)lta.gov.sg by 12 Jun 2008.
Update <2008-12.15>
The size limited for folding bike dimensions has been enlarged to allow practical all the folding bikes listed her: at the bikes so
A six month trial to bring foldable bicycles on trains and buses
1 The Land Transport Authority (LTA), SMRT and SBST will launch a six-month trial to allow foldable bicycles on board trains and public buses during off-peak hours.
3 This trial is one of the several initiatives announced during the Land Transport Review to meet the transport needs of diverse groups of people. It recognises the increasing trend of people cycling for sports and recreation, cycling around the neighbourhood, or cycling to key transport nodes like MRT stations.
It is encouraging to read the views of the SMRT and SBS Transit:
7 Ms Kang Huey Ling, SMRT’s Director, Station Operations, said, “We are happy to work with LTA on this trial. At SMRT, we support cycling as a viable travel option by linking cycling with public transport. We encourage passengers with foldable bikes to be considerate to their fellow passengers so that everyone can enjoy a pleasant travel experience.”
8 Mr Gan Juay Kiat, Chief Operating Officer, SBS Transit Ltd, said, “In supporting this trial, we hope to help a new group of commuters to use public transport as they pursue healthy and fun living. It is a move that is in line with SBS Transit’s green charter in supporting healthy and green living. We hope that through this trial, all commuters will learn to be more accommodating and share the limited space available on board buses and trains with one another. While we support the trial, we are also mindful of potential implementation problems. For instance, onlstance, only foldable bicycles le bicycles of a certain size are allowed on board our buses and trains. Commuters with bicycles that are larger will not be allowed on board. Cycling enthusiasts may also be turned away when the bus is crowded as bringing a bicycle on board during such instances may pose a safety hazard to all passengers. In cases like these, disagreements may occur and we seek the co-operation and understanding of all passengers so as not to cause unnecessary service delays and inconvenience to others.”
GENERAL GUIDELINES
a) Cyclists are responsible for the safe carriage of their foldable bicycles and must stay in the vicinity of their foldable bicycles at all times.
b) Foldable bicycles should be folded at all times in the MRT / LRT stations, bus interchanges / terminals and on trains and buses.
c) Foldable bicycles should not exceed 114 cm by 64 cm by 36 cm when folded.
d) The wheels of the foldable bicycles should be wrapped up if they are dirty or wet.
e) Protruding parts likely to cause injury or dirty/damage property to be covered up.
f) Foldable bicycles should not block the aisles and doors or impede commuter movement at any time.
g) Foldable bicycles should be carried in an upright position.
h) Only two foldable bicycles are allowed on each bus at any one time.
i) When travelling by SMRT / SBS Transit station staff and bus drivers may disallow foldable bicycles if the actual situation within an MRT/LRT station, bus interchange/terminal or on board a train/bus does not permit foldable bicycles to be admitted safely and without inconveniencing other commuters.
Cyclists of foldable bicycles may approach SMRT / SBS Transit staff if they require any assistance.
The public can share their views on this trial by contacting LTA via 1800 2255-582 (1800 Call-LTA), feedback@lta.gov.sg or SMS 77582 “77LTA”.
the best folding bike to combine with Singapore MRT
