Sent: Monday, March 12, 2007 3:38 AM

Thanks to all who share their views. I am frustrated and am a bit shocked to
see how cities are developing in the same way in terms of automotive against
human powered transport.

I believe the energy goes into automotive transport yield 1% transport value
and 99% pollution (air, noise, danger) while cycling yield 20% transport
value and 80 % fitness for the rider.
http://jz88.com/jz88-blog/?p=4

This argument is valid for me but obviously not for the majority. I have
friends who earn much less and able to justify to use half of their income
for buying a small car in Singapore. The "status symbol" and perceived
utility factors are the driving force behind.

I wish more high profile persona will help to raise the status of cyclist
and pedestrian. I also wish more government agencies will see the connection
between transport planning and the consequences in population health and
living environment.

Practically, I don't want my children to risk their life nor want to block
them from developing a life long skill in cycling, they need a solution now.
I will bring them out cycling on pavement and safer streets, highlight to
them the potential danger in common places. Bit by bit, to built up their
competent level and confident.

Chu Wa


chuwa <chuwasg@...> wrote:
- primary school pupils want to cycle to school on their own but parents'
concerns are stopping them.

- 90% of youngsters have bikes and more than 30% of them would like to cycle
to school, only 1% actually do

- parents who drive their children to school risk creating a habit of
dependency that undermines children's confidence and self-reliance

- It's a great shame children are being denied the opportunity to experience
this (cyling) independence because parents are worried about their safety on
the roads

All above remarks from THE HERALD (UK) can be applied to Singapore directly.
I am just wondering how many cities (developing or not) are facing similar
problems?

Chu Wa
Commuter cyclist
Father of two



The full news:
http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/news/display.var.1247222.0.0.php