MY 15-YEAR-OLD nephew has been an avid BMX stunt cyclist for more than a year.
He meets his friends about three times a week at the Youth Park in Somerset Road.
This is a healthy and exciting sport for youngsters like him and we applaud the efforts by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth & Sports and the National Youth Council to provide a place for extreme sports for bikers and skaters since 2004.
However, there is an important issue regarding transport for these cyclists which I would like the authorities to address.
My nephew has told me that in the past few months, he and his friends have been stopped many times by officers at MRT stations and told not to take their bicycles onto the train.
Please note that these bikes have been dismantled and folded neatly into special BMX bags which the bikers carry on their shoulders. The bags have clear BMX logos to indicate a bicycle inside.
When they explained they were only carrying bicycles to the Youth Park at Somerset, they were asked to leave the MRT station and find another means of transport. They were even threatened with a fine if they continued to take their bikes on the train.
Getting on the bus has also been a problem for these youngsters. Bus drivers have asked them rudely what they were carrying in their big black bags. Some have asked them to leave the bus.
So it seems the only means of public transport for this group of bikers is by taxi.
This does not make sense, as the Youth Park is located in the heart of town in Orchard Road next to Somerset MRT station. In fact, this is what my nephew has done for the past few months, spending a lot of money simply to pursue the sport he loves.
Ng Lai Yien (Ms)
All I can say is, I am VERY disaapointed with some of our local authorities. Ms Ng is telling it like it is. Good on you Ms Ng and thanks for the support!
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