Update:
Some views from around the Net so far:
- From Dennis Cheong: "What about dirty or wet wheels of other devices such as prams?"
-Paul Barter from Cycling in Singapore: "Sadly, now that the details are out, this looks like a trial of RESTRICTING folding bikes on MRT and buses. The guidelines are much tighter than they were before this. In practice, MRT and buses (when not packed) had been allowing foldables without problems for some time. This long list of restrictions seems like overkill. They are also rather inflexible. For example, trains traveling in the reverse peak direction are often quite empty even during peak hours. But with these rules, foldables are not allowed on these spacious trains either. I don't see a need for so many complicated rules! If the intention here is to make it easier to bring folders onto public transport then this is a very strange way to go about it."
-Dahon Steve from Bikeforums.net: "What good is it if you can only bring the bike during off peak during the week? That means you will be late for work each day of the week! LOL!"
----------
They even have a spot for you to test if your bicycle fits the 114cm by 64cm by 36cm dimensions allowed. Saw this at Kovan station on the NEL. My Dahon MU P24 fits totally fine, even with the touring rack on.
The trial is called Fold It and Ride It.
I'm happy there is official approval of foldies on public transport even though I ride all the way to my destinations these days.
The revised allowable size is welcome (the old dimensions were not realistic for most foldies). The official recognition of this kind of mixed mode transport is also good. Maybe more people may give up their cars and commute this way because of the availability of this option (I did).
No more waiting for the dang feeder buses.
But the hours that foldies are allowed under the current trial means people who go to work and go home at regular office hours will not be able to take advantage of the changes.
The bikes are only allowed on trains during off-peak hours, from 9.30am to 4.30pm on weekdays, and after 7.30pm, and all day on weekends and public holidays. For buses, a maximum of two foldies are allowed and only on weekends and public holidays. Quite the bummer.
You can't even take your foldies on the MRT at 6am. Only after 9.30am.
Oh, by the way, the best spot for parking your bike in the NEL trains is at the last and last carriages. There is a space between the end of the carriage and the last seat.
Related inks:
General Guidelines from SBS Transit site: Click to see PDF
General Guidelines Brochure from SBS: Front page and Back page
Straits Times on "Fold It and Ride It" (via Strida Singapore forums): View this photo
My Paper on "Fold It and Ride It" (via Strida Singapore forums): View this photo
Lian He Zao Bao on "Fold It and Ride It" (via Strida Singapore forums): View this photo
