Safe riding habits must be enforced for now

The picture of a child riding pillion in a dangerous position, accompanying the report “Cycling facilities in 5 towns to be ramped up” (Sept 24), sent a chill down my spine.

A misjudgment or lapse in concentration on the rider’s part would have sent both the rider and the child standing on the bar crashing to the ground.

The consequences would have been grave, especially when both rider and child had no protective gear such as helmets on them. A safe and considerate cycling culture is evidently lacking in Singapore.

We can build cycling parks and facilities away from the main roads, but we must continually inculcate good riding sense to make them safe.

Cycling gets one into the open; it is an enjoyable activity, an excellent way to exercise and a good form of transport with no carbon footprint.

But if it continues to maim, it would negate the resources we have set aside to build this network of cycling paths. Safe cycling habits must be enforced for now, for the safety of cyclists and pedestrians.

I hope these evolve over time and become part of our culture.