Public transport (and cycling) can be better than cars if...

Experts' suggestions: Pedestrian and bicycle paths form the backbone of Bogota's transport network. Since building these paths, the number of cyclists in the city has shot up tremendously.

To encourage more people to cycle, Mr Penalosa suggested that bicycles be given priority and protection on the roads. He added that bicycle spaces should be made available in carparks.

'If we do this well, people in suits will ride bicycles,' he said, adding that the weather here is not a deterrent to cycling as he sees 'hundreds' of bicycles parked outside the MRT station in Tampines.

This is why he believes that the Park and Ride scheme, which encourages car owners to park near an MRT station and hop on a train, should be scrapped in favour of one that promotes cycling.

See the full article on Asiaone here.

"Get on your bikes" - British MP

At a time when we are trying to tackle inner-city congestion and reduce the carbon emissions from transport, cycling has a key role to play. Just as a new era of railways, unmatched since Victorian times, is beginning, so a renaissance of cycling is well overdue. It’s time to get on our bikes, and if those in charge of our councils don’t see that, then perhaps they should get on their bikes too.

Read the Times' article on a British MP who got on his bike.

Ride of Silence

22 cyclists died in Singapore roads each year in 2007 and 2008. On 20 May, cyclists in Singapore embarked on a 19km "Ride of Silence" to remember them and to advocate more measures to protect cyclists on the road.

See Asiaone's pre-event report.

Brunei also held a Ride of Silence, which local media reported.

Meanwhile, the mayor of London, Boris Johnson, himself experienced a near miss on the road. Read the New York Times.

New ferry service to Tg Pengelih

PENGERANG (JOHOR): MALAYSIA'S Transport Minister is confident the
opening of a new ferry route from Tanjung Pengelih, a main town in
Johor, to Tanah Merah in Singapore will spur the local economy.

Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said the new service, which started over the
weekend, would bring in more tourist traffic and boost existing
tourism attractions such as homestays.

'This new service will add to the existing bumboats that carry
passengers from Tanjung Pengelih to the Changi Ferry Terminal in
Singapore and to Batam and Tanjung Pinang in Indonesia as well.

'It will also spur the state's economy,' he said, after launching the
Tanjong Pengelih Jetty Complex and Public Marina on Saturday.

Mr Ong explained that there was an increase in the number of
passengers using the Tanjung Pengelih terminal to travel to and from
the Changi Ferry Terminal.

'The number of passengers increased from 47,778 in 2007 to 48,689 in
2008,' he said.

The Tanjung Pengelih terminal, completed last year at a cost of RM39
million (S$16 million), is equipped with Customs, Immigration and
Quarantine services.

With an integrated system which includes a 20-berth marina with
landing ramp that can accommodate yachts of different sizes and
recreational boats, the complex is expected to be a major attraction
for yachting activities and marine tourism.

When asked whether the opening of the new route would affect the ferry
businesses in the nearby Tanjung Belungkor jetty, Mr Ong said the
additional route would actually bring in more economic activity.

'During this challenging era, besides facing the economic challenges,
we have to learn to use our facilities to maximum capacity.'

He also announced that the Stulang Ferry Terminal in Johor Baru will
be providing ferry services to Tanah Merah in Singapore.

Encouraging cycling

Two parts of the US are in the process of encouraging cycling.

Some coffeeshops in Bozeman, in Southwest Montana, are offering free coffee to those who bike to work next week. Bike to Work Week will culminate in a Bike Week party, with a fundraising drive for charity and a celebration.

Over in Austin, the capital of Texas, lawmakers are debating a bill requiring motorists to give cyclists enough breathing space. Click here to read the article. Perhaps if Singapore MPs were to likewise consider and pass such a bill, memories of buses inches next to you as you ride on the road will be a thing of the past.

Grand April Fool is no joke

A Singaporean woman has just spent one month in the Napa Valley, USA, riding a bicycle for the title of Grand April Fool. She was taking part in the 2009 April Fools Challenge - and that is no joke. Iris Set covered a total of 804 miles (around 1300km) in that month, climbing 10706 feet (3.2 km). Thats almost halfway up Everest if you added everything up. In total, the event inspired riders to ride almost 10000 miles, and raised over US$5000.

See Biking Fools website for information. A local newspaper also published a report about it.