Two
weeks ago, I was invited by NParks
to attend the re-opening of Bishan park. I was keen to attend because it was
closed for 2 years for a major transformation from concrete canals to a
beautifully re-created river, ponds and many other interesting amenities.
Spanning
37 hectares on one side, you can head down to the river, stroll along the
water's edge and enjoy the vast biodiversity; fishes, turtles, dragonflies,
waterhen and a handful of majestic purple herons. Across busy Marymount Road,
you are spoiled for another 27 hectares of green amenities. There are two huge
thematic playgrounds, science at work cleansing water and above all, one of my
many favourite cycling haunts across the two parks kept intact.
It
would be great to have 2 underpasses for seamless access from one side to the
other without having to dismount and cross at traffic-junctions.
The
night before, I was all excited; prep my bicycle to go green the following day.
Come morning, I cycled to Dakota station, took my foldie onboard the train,
alighted at Bishan station and pedalled my way to the opening ceremony site. It
was crowded and security was tight. PM was the GOH. I was pleasantly surprised
to have Poo Kiong, NParks as my host. PM spoke amidst a noisy background and I
had to strain my ears trying to figure out what he said. We are still a long
way from being courteous to just shut up and listen whenever someone is making
a speech.
After
the opening ceremony, PK led me to follow PM’s entourage as we made our way to
the water edge. Recycle Hill, the
highest point, looks awesome from a distance. Soon, we back tracked, pass the
dog run area and adjourned for a break in a cozy, outdoor restaurant. With all
the trees and lush, it was temperature cool.
I
settled for water and before long, the CEO of NParks walked me forward to meet
PM. There were just 3 of us. Poon introduced me as an avid cyclist. PM stooped,
with his hands extended, gripping both handlebars of an imaginary road bike. I
explained I am not the Saturday, 'man in lycra’ road cyclist but rather a Sunday
recreational cyclist. My group cycles on NParks park connectors, side roads and
an occasional pavement when squeezed (to stay alive!). He immediately put one
finger to his lips and went....shush, then laughed. Staying alive is paramount,
I protested. Vehicular roads in Singapore are not safe and most motorists,
especially taxi-drivers, do not think we belong.
I
lauded NParks for doing a good job connecting the island through the concept of
park connectors. Today, there is already 150km of PCN. Soon, it will be more
exciting with the Round-Island-Route of 150km and another 26km along the Rail Corridor
(the old railway tracks). By then, a visitor can enjoy a 3 day cycle inclusive
of 2 nights along this route.
Somehow,
the conversation drifted to my peeve of 5 years. PM, I said: "the most
scenic tourist route today along the Singapore river on a bicycle can set you back
by $10,000". Why so, he asked? We have to go through 5 underpasses from
Alexandra Road to the Esplanade. At each underpass, there is a sign that reads
"NO RIDING Fine $1,000 Please push your bicycle across the
underpass". “Is it because it is too narrow”, he asked? I replied saying it
is big enough to take a moving MRT train on each side, save for the underpass
at Anderson Bridge. Cyclists, both young and old, loafed to dismount and push
unless safety is compromised.
I
cited the busiest corridor fronting the Marina Bay as "bicycle
friendly" (sign reads: ‘cyclists please slow down and give way to
pedestrians’), thanks to Benson Phuah, CEO Esplanade.
He
pause momentarily, then asked: "how much are you prepared to pay to go
through these underpasses". A dollar, I said. Better still, free for
senior citizens; I am getting there. We roared. Bicycle ERP soon?
I
lamented that while our infrastructure, events (eg F1, Flyer, IRs, PCNs) are
wonderful and crowd drawing, some of our messages are old fashion and out of
step. He nodded, and then said: "maybe you should write to the forum page,
Straits Times; reception could be better there!”. We laughed. Poon smiled;
bùshì wǒ de wèntí (not his portfolio). Those
senior civil servants within earshot steamed!
PM
was ‘belly’ good in his element. With so much laughter, I felt totally
oxygenated, cycled home then after.
