Finding Our Wheel Legs in a New Home
Our cycling journey began before we relocated to Singapore. Our firstborn had graduated from her balance bike to begin pedal cycling at 4 years in the US.
We knew cycling would be a useful skill in Singapore, but we hadn't realised just how useful until we waited for far too long to enter the carpark of our nearest shopping mall and headed home to ride our bikes out instead.
A couple of months into our relocation, climate adjustments were proving to be a challenge due to my children's sensitive skin. We had to constantly manage eczema flares, the pediatric dermatologist advised us to be out of the sun from 10am to 4pm when UV index is the highest. That's when we discovered the magic of night cycling in Singapore, and fell in love with seeing Singapore through different lenses.
Starting Out
In that first year after relocation, we were fortunate to rent a condo right next to East Coast Park. This became our "training ground," where our 4-year-old could practice and gain confidence. The park's designated cycling lanes and Cyclist's Park were perfect for honing cycling skills and learning road safety rules and social etiquette amid other cyclists.
As my firstborn M's skills grew, so did our ambitions. My husband felt that M was physically and mentally ready for a longer-distance adventure.
That first adventure was a round trip from East Coast Park's Marine Cove playground to Marina Bay Sands, M on her wheels, the husband riding with toddler m on the rear. The husband was optimistic, and the journey was a mixture of excitement and trepidation. The backup plan was me to pick the children up along with M's bike should the distance prove too much.
The ride there was exhilarating. M had a big fall at a daunting sloping bridge, but recovered to press on. The cool evening air, the sense of exploration to new grounds, the promise of an iced beverage at Marina Bay Sand's Toast Box — it all added to the sense of adventure. The return journey tested M's mettle. But with encouragement and water breaks, the husband, M and m all made it back, exhausted but triumphant.
Expanding Our Horizons
As our confidence grew, so did our cycling radius. We moved to a new area in Singapore and began exploring different routes, always on the lookout for fun pit stops and refreshment breaks.
We quickly learnt which routes we liked, and which we didn't. Some routes were wide pavements with designated lanes for bicycles, those were the best. We hardly rode on the main roads, unless to cross the roads. Narrow pedestrian pavements were the most challenging, but we learnt to ride in a train formation to co-exist with walking traffic, and learnt to be patient cycling slowly behind crowds.
A fun riding expedition was with friends from Changi Jurassic Mile to Stella Seaside restaurant. It was interesting to pedeal past illuminated dinosaur sculptures and soak in the seaview and watch planes fly by at Stella.
We also discovered the joy of planning routes that had popular playgrounds as pit stops. There's nothing quite like the burst of energy kids get when they spot a playground after an intense ride. And let's be honest, we parents appreciate the break too—especially when there's a nearby dessert place to refuel!
Our longest-distance record has got to be 18.6km (round trip) visiting Bedok Reservoir and having an ice cream refuel at Hundred Acres Creamery in Tampines, M took it like a champ. Proud of M for showing grit and resilience which also inspire us to push on.
Our Family Cycling Formation
Over time, we've grown comfortable with our family cycling formation. My husband leads the pack on his foldable bike, navigating and setting the pace. Our firstborn follows, growing in confidence with every ride. I bring up the rear, with our toddler securely seated on my bike, pointing out interesting sights.
This formation isn't just about organization—it's about safety and peace of mind. We know that our eldest is sandwiched between us, visible at all times. And I can keep an eye on everyone, making sure we stay together, especially when crossing roads or navigating busier areas.
Lessons Learned and Tips to Share
Our night cycling adventures haven't been without their challenges. We've had our share of impatient car drivers turning before cyclists and pedestrians are out of the way, burning legs, unexpected rain, toddler falling asleep on the bike (oops) and the occasional meltdown. But each challenge taught us something valuable.
We've learned the importance of being prepared. We modified our backup plan a little. If we need to cut a ride short, we know exactly what to do. I'll hail a taxi, load up the foldable bikes and the kids, and head home, while my husband takes my bulky bike (which won't fit in a taxi) and cycles back.
We've also learned the importance of teaching our children about road safety. Our rides often turn into impromptu lessons about traffic rules, the importance of staying alert, and what to do in case we get separated. We've even role-played scenarios, like what our eldest should do if she loses sight of us (stay put in a public place, ask a mother with children for help to contact us or the police).
The Joy of Night Cycling
But beyond the practical lessons, night cycling has given us so much more. It's allowed us to experience Singapore in a unique way—to see how the city transforms as night falls, to feel the rhythm of its nightlife, to discover hidden gems we might never have found otherwise.
On an overhead bridge on our way to Bishan-Ang Mo Kio park, we encountered an elderly lady pushing a trolley with stacked cardboard boxes. The husband hopped off to give her a hand, while I explained to the children there are silent, invisible labourers in Singapore, who put in lots of physical work for their livelihood, often spotted towards the cooler parts of the day.
Cycling has given us a way to stay active and healthy as a family, and to create lasting memories together. As we continue our exploration of Singapore, we look forward to many more night cycling journeys. Who knows what new routes we'll discover, what new challenges we'll overcome, what new memories we'll create?
Bicycle and Accessory Links
Bicycles:
- M's first balance + pedal bike was a Strider 14x: here (downside: no handbrakes, only backpedal brakes)
- my bulky but durable bike which seats two child seats is a Lekkar Jordaan Womens 3s from Hello Bicycle: here
- M's current bike is a Lil' Dutchi 20" Cream: here (we bought this as an upgrade for the handbrakes)
- the husband's foldable bike: 3sixty
Child seats:
- rear child seat is a HAMAX Caress: here
- front child seat is also a HAMAX, but I can't find a link for it.
Helmets:
- adult helmets are Schwinn Thrasher: here
- children's helmets are a mixture of Abus/Joovy/Decathlon.
