You know you’re suffering from a case of same o same o when you're scanning the Sistic website and can't find anything that excites you. It doesn’t help that there are now so many events happening here, so filtering the good from the mediocre isn't easy. So what’s really worth your time? The list we've assembled here features huge stars, awesome new concepts and more than a few surprises. We've also thrown in some self-serving recommendations of where to find the best events coverage in town. Just remember—these debutantes are a big deal, so you'll want to book early.

Music

Zouk Indie Triple Bill
It’s been a while since our friends at Zouk organized live concerts at their venue (previous acts who performed there include Peaches, Chicks on Speed, The Radio Dept. and Mono), so we were excited to hear that they are bringing back their live music series with the launch of their first triple bill, which will have Icelandic band Mum performing (for the first time here) their brand of ethereal electronica alongside up-and-coming local bands Wavves and Shelves, who will open for them. Those who missed fellow Icelanders Sigur Ros’ gig a couple of months back have a chance to redeem themselves at this one.
Jun 15, Zouk.

The xx
Any hipster worth their skinny jeans knows The xx, but those who really know their music can testify that the group’s brand of moody electronics and hushed vocals hark back to the best of the shoegazing sounds from the ‘90s. Although the threesome performed here previously in 2010 to mark the launch of their acclaimed debut album xx (supporting Florence + The Machine) with a short-ish 45-minute set, their upcoming solo gig will have them perform a full set of tunes from their acclaimed last two albums (including the more recent Coexist).
Aug 2, The Star Performing Arts Center.

Pet Shop Boys
The last time these guys were here for SingFest in 2007, the crowd had so much fun dancing to their retro ‘80s tunes that the rest of the acts in the line-up (Cobra Starship, The Noisettes) seemed out of place. Part of their travelling Electronic tour (the album of the same name will be released in June), expect to see kitschy costumes and a fantastic multi-media backdrop that will rival even that of Kraftwerk’s 3D concert here last month. Yes, Neil (Tennant) and Chris (Lowe) will be dishing out newer tunes from their upcoming album, but expect the crowd to go wild when they play classics like “Rent”, “Heart” and “Domino Dancing” instead. That’s when we’ll be getting our glo-sticks ready (and you should, too).
Aug 3, Resorts World Convention Centre™, Compass Ballroom.

1 World Music Festival
Finally, something truly new for F1. Music gig inside the circuit tend to be disappointingly short and horribly crowded (let's hope The Killers prove us wrong), making this the to-go-to gig during the race. This two-day music fest to be held at the Marina Barrage (also a first) will feature international acts like Tinie Tempah and Iggy Azalea performing, while DJ acts include names like Orbital and Miguel Migs. "You’ll feel as though you’re in the eye of a hurricane, and the electric feeling generated from the stage will ripple through the crowd,” says Mark Rafter of organizers Retfar Entertainment (we think that's meant to be a good thing). Rumor has it that the celebrity-designer Jeremy Scott and DJ-partygoer Samantha Ronson will also drop by for the festival, so it's definitely one for the diaries.
Sep 20-21, Marina Barrage.

The Killers
When The Killers were announced to headline the F1 2013 concert at the Padang earlier this year, we were excited but apprehensive (they cancelled on us in 2010). Vocalist Brandon Flowers reunites with the rest of the team (after embarking on a semi-successful solo career) to promote their latest album Battle Born, although don’t be surprised if they serve up old favorites like “Mr. Brightside” and “Somebody Told Me” along the way.
Sep 21, The Padang.

Theater

Dirty Dancing
When you pit two feisty and rebellious characters with a cool old-school soundtrack featuring tunes like The Ronette’s “By My Baby” and Eric Carmen's "Hungry Eyes", nostalgia can only be a good thing. Sure the film version has pretty much reached cult status, but seeing the show live on stage takes it to a whole new level. Relive the story of Baby and her affair with dance instructor Johnny Castle in this timeless tale of youth, love and revolt.
May 24 - Jun 16, Grand Theatre, MasterCard Theatres at Marina Bay Sands

One Man Lord of the Rings / The Lord of the Rings—The Fellowship of the Ring
The first of two unofficial* double bills (next up, Shakespeare, see opposite), these two shows promise to be a good use of your "precious" time. The first is the critically-acclaimed one-man stand-up comedy show by Charles Ross, whose hilarious spin on the series will amuse both fans and non-fans alike, while the latter is a live projection screening of the movie with live orchestral accompaniment by Howard Shore.
* Unofficial because they're completely unconnected and we've just grouped them together for the sake of a story.
Jun 18-23, DBS Arts Centre and Jun 6-8, The Star Theatre

Alfian Sa’at—In the Spotlight
Fans of the prolific playwright will not want to miss this triple bill of two rare works and one new one. "The Optic Trilogy" (a meditation on love and loss) gets a fresh new cast featuring Janice Koh and Brendon Fernandez, while "Dreamplay: Asian Boys Vol. 1" is a modern gay fantasia set in a fictional world filled with lots of topless boys and a couple of naughty “angels”. The new work "Cook a Pot of Curry" promises to be an outspoken take on migration and the changing demographics of Singapore.
Jul 3-20, The Singapore Airlines Theatre, LASALLE College of the Arts.

The Addams Family
More nostalgia in the form of this hilarious and dark musical based on the popular film series. This time round, Morticia, Gomez, Lurch and the rest of the family members are yet again up to no good (but with the best of intentions, of course) as they get sucked into the trappings of modern living.
Jul 9-28, Festive Grand™ Theatre, Resorts World® Sentosa.

The Taming of the Shrew and Shakespeare / Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)
If SRT's Shakespeare in the Park series got you all hot under the ruffled collar, then you'll want to book these now. First up, none other than the Globe Theatre are in town, with a completely new take on the classic tale of sisterly rivalry played out by an all-female cast (settle down, boys). That's followed by a hilarious take on at least 37 plays summarizing all the tragedy, romance and comedy that the Bard is most famous for.
Oct 2-13, Fort Canning Park.

Films

Films at the Fort
We love outdoor film screenings (the recent Art-in-Film Festival at Dusk held at Tanjong Beach Club was one of the freshest we’ve been to), so we’re certainly looking forward to this one, from the folks who put on the Green Corridor Run earlier this year. And what a perfect setting for a movie! Not only will you get the chance to see quality films like the nevver-before-screened documentary Everything or Nothing: The Untold Story of 007 about the Bond franchise, you can also catch Oscar-nominated The Intouchables and the Oscar-winning Silver Linings Playbook if you missed them on the regular cinema circuit. The festival will also present short films by local directors prior to the screening of the feature length films. Plus, there will be lots of gourmet food and wine to go around, and a dedicated Champagne bar if you feel like making the occasion one to remember.
Aug 22-25, Fort Canning Green.

Food

World Street Food Congress
Think you've seen it all in the foodie scene? You're still in for an unusual experience as street food hawkers from all over the world clean up their acts and convene here to wax lyrical about the artisanal merits of their craft and how to best professionalize the industry for better recognition of their work. Before this get-together of cheap eats enthusiasts takes off internationally—organizer Carol Anne Wah hopes to hold it in "San Francisco, Mexico or even Israel" one day—food culture nerds had best get in line for this year's inaugural edition.
May 31-Jun 9, F1 Pit Building & Paddock.

Art

Essential Eames
Not only will this much-anticipated exhibition feature some of celebrated couple Charles and Ray Eames’ celebrated chair designs, it will also trace their personal life with a showing of Ray’s intimate drawings for the first time ever, as well as contextual display of a case study house for a more interactive experience and a Powers of Ten film screening, a little seen gem directed by the duo tracing the origins of the universe. Promises to be the most cohesive and complete art exhibitions here after Warhol’s 15 Minutes Eternal at the Art Science Museum in 2011.
Jun 29-Jan 5, 2013, Art Science Museum.

Sports

Mountain Bike Carnival
Missed OCBC Cycle but want to show off your pedaling chops beyond fixed gear? Sate your taste for terrain at the city’s first and biggest mountain biking event. Aside from the standard eight-hour Enduro marathon conducted on fireroads, there are likely to be other activities, including an exhilarating night race—just try overtaking en masse in that.
Aug 25, TBC.

Check out our list of top returning events in Singapore.

Tell us about the Bamboobee.
It’s a bicycle that’s handcrafted and made up of 70% bamboo. The bicycle itself is very basic but you have the option of customizing it with accessories. It weighs 10.6kg and costs $1,105.

What inspired you to venture into making bamboo bikes?
I wanted to make a unique bicycle that customers can be in love with and boast about. With the Bamboobee bike, art meets function and serves an eco-friendly purpose.

You’ve raised more than $50,000 on Kickstarter and passed your first stage of funding. What’s next?
We’re very thankful for the support—we’ve now been able to start on the research and processes that drive the improvement of Bamboobee. We will continue to crowdfund, with our next targets being $120,000 (for the design of accessories and eco-packaging using bamboo), $360,000 (to create a smart system that helps us communicate effectively with our customers) and $1,000,000 (to round things off).

What’s been your biggest challenge so far?
Finding the right people for the work is hard. It’s especially so here where people prefer to apply for white collar jobs. We’ve since changed our search criteria from having energy and spirit to having maturity, patience and experience. The process of getting and maintaining the quality of raw materials is also a problem.

What’s your experience of starting up in Singapore?
Starting up here is good as it’s become a hotbed for creativity and people are open about business. Knowledge is also abundant here and the transportation network is very established, so you’re able to capture the market at a low cost. I only wish that there are more places for craftsmen to display their innovation. There are too many tech businesses, and we need to promote the arts.

Road Bike

Aran Kamonchan, owner of Aran Bicicletta Cicli & Cafe

I opened a bike café in Soi Ari (Phaholyothin 7) and we’ve been gathering more and more people that enjoy riding bicycles ever since. We also have a cycling team called “Aran Bicicletta Cycling Club."

When I was in Melbourne, my friends and I always rode our bikes to house parties and concerts. It was always a fun ride and someone usually fell off their bike.
Riding with others allows you to expand your knowledge about bikes together. We work on our bikes together, ride together, eat together, and basically live together, especially within our team.

Our beloved city wasn’t designed with bicycles in mind. Motorists also don’t expect to see bicyclists sharing the same road as them. There are no rules relating to how people should ride in Bangkok and how motorists should share the road with cyclists.

I dream of riding along the coast of Australia on the Great Ocean Road. It has such beautiful views and the road is super smooth.
The most difficult thing about riding a road bike is to really clear your mind and just enjoy the view and the ride; having fun, making jokes.

Get to know your machine well before going out on a big ride, and always ride with caution.

I’d recommend riding along the so-called “Local Road,” parallel to Vipawadi-Rangsit Road. But be prepared; bring lots and lots of lights if you ride at night, as we do on Tuesday night, since it’s quite dark. It’s a long and narrow route that we head to when we want to get up some speed.

Community

Life Cycling Bangkok

Founded a year ago and sponsored by Singha, the Life Cycling Bangkok is a bike club made up of celebrities, including Burin Boonvisut, Dome Pakornlum and Janesuda Parnto. Other than the usual meetings, the club also runs CSR projects with donations going to various charities. And guess what, you too can stay fit and on trend with a B500/year membership.
www.facebook.com/lifecyclingclub

Café Velodome

Situated at Thammasat Thaprachan campus, Café Velodome does coffee, tea and bakery treats with the owner vowing to make whoever wanders in fall in love with bikes. The place also tends to draw in an older bike crowd (early to mid-30s), compared to the younger fixie hipsters.
Thammasat University (Thaprachan Campus), 2 Prachan Rd., Bangkok, 02-623-6349. www.facebook.com/CafeVelodome

Mountain Bike

Aroon Jirakornkittinun

My first bike experience was on a BMX I rode when I was a kid. Then when we all became obsessed with global warming, I started riding a mountain bike.

I’ve made lots of friends from riding. You get to explore new things and see new places together—and, of course, waste money together buying accessories.
Car drivers in Bangkok lack road etiquette; this limits the chance for others to cycle around the city.

If you want to ride a mountain bike, I’d suggest going to the Train Market, Rama 9 Park or the area around the suburbs like Samut Prakarn where there are fewer cars and bumpy tracks.

Before going on each ride, you have to prepare your body. A good stretch is key since mountain biking requires lots of endurance. Make sure you have all your gear, including water, check your bicycle’s tires and brakes, prepare some food as well as electrolyte drinks to give you a boost as you ride up the mountains.

When I first started riding on mountain bike trails, I fell over a lot, I had bruises all over my body. It was scary but I never thought of quitting.

If you’re a beginner, try practicing under the Ramintra expressway, there are bicycle lanes there as well as some bumpy trails for you to get that mountain bike feel.
Trust me, don’t visit shops or websites too often, you’ll end up obsessing over every new accessory on the market!

Community

Thai Mountain Bike

Although this online community is also open to riders of other types of bikes, Thai Mountain Bike is a renowned go-to source for everything mountain bike, from actual bikes to routes and secondhand accessories.
www.thaimtb.com

Bike Loves

This online community is dedicated specifically to organizing mountain bike trips to locations outside of Bangkok, like Kanchanaburi and Nonthaburi, as well as recommending different routes for real down and dirty mountain bike experiences.
www.bikeloves.com

BMX

Varin Somprasong, founder of the Old School BMX Thailand community

When my friends and I started riding, we were so crazy about it. We would ride until three or four in the morning—or even 8am sometimes!

Riding in a group lets you explore new things. Sometimes we're just looking for a new place to eat together or riding for hours just to get to the perfect spot to see some fireworks.

Riding a BMX makes you healthier. Performing the acrobatic moves takes strength, patience and endurance. It’s also has nostalgic value: every time I get on my BMX, I’m reminded of a time when I was younger, finishing my homework so that I could grab my bike and go ride with my friends.

I founded The Old School BMX Thailand community out of a shared passion with a few friends. Our numbers have grown tremendously, our meetings now reach up to about 50 bikers.

BMX is perfect for a city with crappy roads. It’s easy for you to avoid obstacles and these bikes are made to be quite durable. The downside is that because of the small wheel size, riding long distances just isn’t practical.

If you’re looking for BMX riders, then an easy spot to find us is in front of the old Bangkok City Hall. We start there around 7pm and usually end up at Khao San for some beers.

BMX is a huge commitment; accessories can be hard to find and very pricey. I’ve known people who have had their bike for years before it’s completely finished since they made mistakes buying the wrong parts or just ran out of money.

Community

Old School BMX Thailand

Everything BMX: from where to buy, who to ride with and where, Old School BMX Thailand has you covered.
www.osbmx-thailand.com

BMX 40 Plus

BMX 40 Plus is one of a few BMX communities that encourages BMX racing on BMX tracks and focuses on BMX modifications and accessories. www.bmx40plus.com

Fixed Gear Bikes

Wararat Puapairoj, founder and manager at Velayenn bike shop, guitarist of Flure band

We wanted Velayenn to be a place where everyone could come and kick back and ride together after work, hence the name.
We don’t care which kind of bike you ride, whether it’s a fixie, mountain bike or city bike, everyone is welcome.

Fixed gear bikes are simple and practical. The bikes are highly customizable which allows you to design one to your preference. Maintenance is easy since there are less parts than normal bikes and riding is simple, like an extension of your body.
I took my bike on a plane and got a chance to ride it in Japan and the US. That’s the craziest thing I’ve ever done with my bike.

Lots of people think it’s dangerous to ride a bike in Bangkok due to all the cars, but if you know your route, wear safety gear or ride in a group, it really isn’t a problem.
If I could ride anywhere, I’d go for the route used for the Tour de France.

Many fixed gear bikes don’t have brakes, so you have to calculate the distance before you attempt to slow down and be able to think about whether there’s a chance someone could cut you off. It forces you to be cautious and focused.

You can find lots of bikers, and not just fixies, around King Chulalongkorn Monument. It’s a good place to start out for beginners.

The Rattanakosin Island area at night is a great place to ride: the road is beautiful, there are lots of great views and not too many cars.

Community

Velayenn Shop

This famed bicycle joint is more of a bike garage than a café in our opinion (not that it’s a bad thing). And with the owner’s passion for fixed gear rides and the knowledgeable crowd that rides anything from road bikes to city bikes, think of it as a go-to Bike 101 café.
808/15 Soi Thararom 2, Sukhumvit Rd., 080-900-2610. www.facebook.com/velayenn.shop

Fixed Gear is not a Crime (online)

Co-founded by the owner of Sweet Pista Café, this online community is
all about riding together in the hope of changing society's perception of fixed gear as a clichéd trend.  
www.facebook.com/fixedgearIsnotacrime

Sweet Pista

Although the place is a café serving American, Italian and Thai dishes and bakery treats, owner K. Yai is a friendly fixed gear fanatic, so don’t be alarmed by all the fixies parked out front.
Sukhumvit Soi 31, Sukhumvit Rd., 02-662-2866. www.facebook.com/sweetpistabangkok?fref=ts

Make More Friends

Smile Riders Club

Founded by cycling activist Noppakun Dibakomuda, Smile Riders Club is a community that specializes in teaching people how to use bike riding as a genuine form of transportation in the city. Members span bike riders of all different skill and experience levels, from four-year-old boys to aunties. www.facebook.com/groups/smileriders

Night Ride Club

For those not so keen on riding on the city’s hectic streets, the Night Ride Club could be your new best friend. The group is open to bike riders of every type and meets at 6pm every Tuesday and Thursday at parking lot F, Suvarnabhumi Airport. Do away with all the traffic, pollution and bumpy roads, here you get scenic views of the suburbs and the night sky, all enjoyed from a super-smooth, well-lit 13km loop of road around airport. http://www.facebook.com/NightRideClub.BKK

Let’s face it. Singapore isn’t known for trendsetting—we’re more we-like-it-if-you-like-it kind of folk. But we do pride ourselves on being green. And in shape. We don’t like falling behind in world rankings. And we certainly don’t have a problem throwing money and manpower at something if we think it’ll add to the country’s appeal. So the fact that cycling here is largely relegated to weekend warriors and hipster kids on their fixies is truly baffling. There’s no shortage of cyclists (the upcoming fifth edition of OCBC Cycle Singapore is expecting some 12,000 participants), but a real dearth of day-to-day cycling; the kind that makes you think, “You know what? I’m going to start biking to work, too!”

Over the past decade, cities like Copenhagen, Portland and even London (which not too long ago pretty much viewed bicycles as a public nuisance) have embraced urban cycling—and in particular cycling to work—as the kind of eco-friendly, health-promoting,  good-news-all-round initiative worth promoting as much as possible. And, in so doing, those cities have been transformed. To visit them now is to accept cycling as part of the essential infrastructure of any great city—there are bikes everywhere and (seemingly) everybody bikes. Yet, here in Singapore, cycling remains resolutely a recreational activity. The city features on precisely none of the world’s best cycling cities lists, despite being far less congested than London, flatter than Amsterdam, smaller and easier to navigate than Paris, and with lower petty theft rates than pretty much anywhere on the planet. Most people here look at you in bafflement when you suggest cycling to work; yet they’ll happily chew your ear off complaining about MRT breakdowns, unavailable taxis and extortionate COE rates. Why is that? Inertia, laziness—or something more fundamental? And what can be done to turn all this around?

In our view, there’s an opportunity here for Singapore to lead the region in promoting a truly green transport solution and building a happier, healthier city; but it’ll require a concerted push, and a change in attitude from both the government and you, the people.

On the Bright Side

It’s true that there are some (sort of) encouraging signs. There’s already a fairly extensive network of cycling paths on the island; with more to come. By 2014, seven outlying towns will be equipped with 50km of intra-town cycling path networks that will connect riders to key public transport hubs like MRT stations and bus interchanges, amenities like markets and schools, as well as the existing Park Connector Network (the Ministry of National Development also promises that network will increase from 200km to 360km by 2020). The trouble is that, to make cycling to work viable, it needs to be visible. Which means it needs to be downtown, too—what popular local blogger and cycling advocate Mr. Brown describes as “a Park Connector Network that actually takes us somewhere we need to go.” Contrast that with London, where tourists can ride on dedicated bike lanes close to central landmarks like Oxford Street, Hyde Park and Leicester Square. So it’s encouraging to hear that the Land Transport Authority (LTA) is working with the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and National Parks Board (NPB) to implement a network of cycling paths in Marina Bay, also expected to launch next year.

Further efforts have come from the LTA over the past year, with over 4,000 new cycle parking spaces added to 10 MRT stations like Admiralty, Chinese Garden, Simei and Yishun, with even more to come. The Housing Development Board (HDB) is also on the case. They’ve already installed a two-tiered cycle parking system at Singapore’s first eco-friendly HDB estate Treelodge@Punggol and are planning to do the same for Yuhua.

Tyred Excuses

Bike paths and bike security are only part of the story, though. Two issues come up time and again when you ask people why they don’t cycle here: careless car drivers and the sticky, sweaty heat. But are we really willing to give up that easily? (Don’t answer that.) Until more people are seen biking to work, those in charge are unlikely to see that steps need to be taken to encourage even more to do it.

The weather itself isn’t going to change any time soon, global warming or not. And whereas cyclists in Amsterdam, New York and elsewhere regularly contend with rain and snow on their commute, on a good day they can at least go straight to their desks when they get into work. Here you’re pretty much guaranteed to need a shower by the time you arrive. Given how few office spaces here offer shower facilities, it’s surely that we should be lobbying for, rather than bemoaning our equatorial misfortune.

Infrastructure of a different sort is going to be crucial, too. Other cities that have successfully reinvented themselves as cycling centers have made bicycles themselves much more widely available—and affordable. Public bike sharing schemes have proven hugely popular elsewhere—Hangzhou (the world-leader) boasts more than 61,000 bicycles available from more than 2,000 stations, while Paris, often seen as the progenitor of the scheme in Europe (despite only launching in 2007 and with a similar scheme having been trialed in La Rochelle as early as the 1970s), has made some 20,000 two-wheelers available.

These bikes might not be (scratch that, never are) all that hot in the looks department, but the system works: there’s almost always a bike available nearby, you don’t have to be an expert to ride them, and the rental system is straightforward. In London, for example, you pay £2 for a day’s access to the scheme (or up to £90 for a year), then a fee depending on how long you’re actually out on the bike. The first half-hour is free, an hour is £1. Anyone over 14 years old can rent one of the bikes, fondly (and only sometimes disparagingly) referred to as Boris Bikes, after Boris Johnson, the mayor in charge when the scheme was launched. And the scheme has been so successful that, on a single day during the Olympics, close to 50,000 (!) rentals were made. (It’s sponsored by Barclays Bank. DBS, we’re just sayin’…) These schemes are also a boon for the tech-minded. Cities like Washington D.C have seen subcultures spring up to take advantage of all the data generated by bike sharing programs, to build smartphone apps, map efficient routes and identify gaps in the infrastructure. It’s the kind of big, civic-minded data project you’d figure/hope young Singaporeans would love to tackle.

But if it’s hard enough convincing Singaporeans who’ve been brought up to believe they need to own a car to show the world they’ve made it that a bicycle can also be a worthwhile investment (good luck adding a sixth C, for cycle, to the Five Cs), having them share a saddle with other users is yet another hurdle. Bike sharing, though, is only one way to go about it. Another success story out of the UK is the Cycle to Work Scheme, a government-assisted program whereby employers (who are encouraged to sign up in order to boost their CSR cred) can purchase bikes (and bike accessories) tax-free, and loan them to employees for a monthly fee so long as they’re riding at least part-way to work.

Two Wheels Good

So, if there were some government will behind this, the models already exist for how to make it work. Rather more challenging is the change in mentality that would be required of other road users. (Though it’s worth saying that until you’ve been a cycling city as long as somewhere like Amsterdam, road safety remains a real problem, even for the likes of London.)  Absent dedicated bike lanes, there’s no getting around the fact that cyclists are treated as second-class road users. Motorists in Singapore rarely practice basic road courtesy and safety when encountering cyclists (though accidents involving cyclists here did at least fall 17% from 2008 to 2011) and according to Mr. Brown and founder of amateur cycle racing club Joyriders Joyce Leong, this can be attributed to a lack of education. “The exposure to cycling from young is next to zero. Kids here are so precious; they’re used to being chauffeured around. When they grow up, they will have no idea what it’s like for cyclists and won’t know how to react to them,” Leong explains.

“People are clearly interested in bike-sharing facilities, but cyclist safety is a big concern,” says Francis Chu, co-founder of local group Lovecycling.net and director of Isuda Bike Share, which launched its pilot project at one-north last year. “We had many users sign up, but they gave up after a week or two because they didn’t feel safe sharing the roads with cars and trucks.”  

“This scheme whereby cyclists share footpaths is pretty good, but it’s not promoting the safe usage of the roads, which is where cyclists should be, not on the footpaths harassing pedestrians,” says Alan Grant, a writer and editor who himself rides to meetings all over the city. “What we need are bike lanes on the roads and things like colored boxes at traffic lights and junctions that cars can’t enter. There should also be traffic lights allowing cyclists to move off seconds ahead of motorists.”

Both Grant and Chu agree that while the authorities are becoming more aware of the need to help, they’re not moving fast enough. Chu is still awaiting a response to the Lane Width proposal he submitted last year and in a parliamentary debate earlier this month, Secretary for Transport Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim continued to cite problems with, and not solutions for, on-road cycling. It seems the government is unlikely to change its stand, which Dr. Faishal put in stark terms in last September's debate: “In Singapore, land is a scarce commodity and, I dare say, road space is even scarcer… Most of our roads today are optimally sized for traffic conditions… Given our circumstances, we have therefore prioritized off-road cycling, which is safer and can cater to greater numbers of people… the Government is unable to accommodate all the wishes of all small communities, but must think of larger, overall needs.” (See the full response on the MoT website)

Chris Robb, MD of Spectrum Worldwide, who are the massive OCBC Cycle event organizers and recently carried out the Safe Cycling Campaign for  the third year running, urges cooperation not confrontation. He points out that “Cycling has absolutely exploded in Singapore over the past five years.” But, he says, "we need to recognize that we’re in a tight space here in Singapore and work with what we have.”

Read the full interview with Chris Robb.

Now, not 10 years from now, is when we should demand that this start to happen (it’s taken at least that long for it to take root in all the cities mentioned in this story). There are enough shoots to feel vaguely optimistic, but it’s still odd that there aren’t more and louder voices agitating for action. This really isn’t an issue that should get stalled by debate, disinterest or indecision. God forbid there be lengthy feasibility studies and limited roll-outs. (Mr. Brown again: “How long till we get there depends on the political will of our government. As it is, we're not very far off.”) Spend any time in cities like Portland or Paris and the question is not, “Why are they all cycling here?” but “Why the hell isn’t everywhere else?” Do we really want to be the last ones to the party?

Specs: Hand-built carbon fiber frame, Shimano hydraulic disc brakes, handlebar with personalized grips, stem and 31.6mm seat post, sizes available: XS (49cm) to XL (61cm)

The good: The Storck Multiroad is easy to handle, even for a slightly-built person. It’s just the right amount of weight so a rider can command good control, even when going at high speeds or over challenging terrain. The Schwalbe Marathon Cross tires, strong hand grip and disc brake system mean rolling on both regular roads and rough trails in rainy conditions will be relatively simple. We also like that the gear levers are ergonomic and fit most thumb and index finger sizes—allows easy transition expecially when experiencing undulating terrain. If you’re a bit of a speed demon, you’ll be happy to know that the stream-lined chain and seat stay, while the forks make for minimized wind resistance.

The bad: The seat isn’t very suitable for long cruises where you’ll encounter the occasional pothole. Mis-shifts might occur during gear transitions because the main crank and cassette sprockets aren’t exactly the smoothest. Moving into a certain gear can bring about a clicking sound during the running-in period, but we got past that so you probably will.    

Verdict: Easy on the eyes and offering good control, the Storck Multiroad would've been a perfect first bike for the adventurous, except most beginners would probably balk at the pricetag.

$2,935 from Fat Cat Cycle.

How did Green Messengers come about?

I talked to a childhood friend and cycling buddy of mine about it for years, but it only took off when I was back in school studying finance and got acquainted with my classmate, now my business partner. I was complaining about how bad the courier service provider was for the bank I was working in. It was then that we decided to set up Green Messengers. 

Why do you think no one thought of this before here?
Leonardo Da Vinci said, “I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough, we must do.” I’m very sure tons of people have thought of this, but we're the first to make it happen.

What is it with Singapore not having proper cycling paths? 
I understand that the government mentions the park connectors as cycling paths, but they don’t serve the same purpose—using the connectors for daily commute may result in much longer routes. We have plans to work with the proper authorities to construct a feasible platform for cyclists and drivers to commute on the same roads safely. 

What are the pros and cons of working as a bike messenger?
Nothing is better than doing the job you love. But the paradox is, a chore is still a chore. There’s also the possibility that the traffic can and will kill you.

Velayenn

808/15 Soi Thararom 2, Sukhumvit Soi 55, Bangkok, 080-900-2610. Open Tue-Sun 12-10pm
Owned by a group of friends who love their bikes, Velayenn is a hip cycle café that puts a precedence on vintage bikes. Stop in to peruse a few books about fixies, and enjoy a drinks list (developed at the now-closed Sugar Lust Cafe & Bistro) that includes Italian soda (B50) and some coffee (from B50). As for pastries, the owners say they want the super-friendly vibe to extend to food being shared among friends; as such, the main snacks are toast (B20) and homemade donuts (B50).

Aran Bicicletta

18 Soi Aree 4 (North), Paholyothin Soi 7, Bangkok, 081-821-9603. Open Tue-Sun 1-10pm
With Aran Bicicletta, the owner found the perfect way to marry his love for fixies (both vintage and modern) with his family’s coffee business. Coffees start at B50, best enjoyed with cakes like dark beer Horlicks (B90) and their brownies (B95). There’s free Wi-Fi so bring along your notebook. This retro house is the ideal space to get some work done—you’ll feel like you’re sitting in a library nook and there’s also a cute beagle to keep you company.

Sealee Urban

33/306 Chokchai 4, Ladprao 53, Bangkok, 083-808-9061. sealeeurban.com. Open Tue-Sun 11am-8pm
Sure, you can stop by Sealee Urban to buy a fixed gear bicycle (or to pick up some spare parts), but we’d rather drop in for their recommended homemade yogurt (with toppings like strawberry, blueberry and cereal, B30-80). In fact, the owners started out selling yoghurt before falling in love with the fixie culture and expanding to become one of the most popular spots in town for cyclists. Reward yourself after a hard ride with a choc lava cake (B100), while coffees start at B35.

Sweet Pista

235/21 Sukhumvit Soi 31, Bangkok, 02-662-2866. Open Tue-Sun 11am-10pm
The baby of two owners, one who likes desserts and one obsessed with fixed-gear bicycles, this little café is decorated, rather aptly, with fixies (some are for sale too) and serves sweets such as young coconut cake (B110) and chocolate dark beer cake (B95). Those famished after a punishing ride can order from the brief selection of savory dishes, which includes the popular khao mah kai dao (shredded pork with garlic and rice served with fried egg, B85), spare ribs (B150) and avocado cheeseburger served with salad (B250). Wash it all down with Japanese tea brand, Lupicia, in flavors like strawberry and vanilla, and grapefruit (B125 a pot) or bring your own bottle—there’s no corkage charge so you can sit and sip to your heart’s content in this homey Japanese café-like spot.

Café Velodome

Thammasat University (Thaprachan Campus), 2 Prachan Rd., Bangkok, 02-623-6349. www.facebook.com/CafeVelodome. Open daily 8am-8pm
Conceived of as a way to spread bike culture (and green living) in a city where the car is king, the stripped-down, glass-walled Café Velodome has already become a hub for Bangkok’s cycling community. Apart from providing bike racks and pumps, the staff are happy to share their knowledge on the best bike routes, local cycling groups and everything else bicycle-related. Located on the eastern edge of Thammasat University, the café sits facing Sanam Luang, on the corner of Prachan and Na Phra That roads. Drop in for a Choco Velodome (frappe, B90) or espresso affogato (coffee shot over a scoop of ice cream, B65) and a slice of cake (Thai tea and chocolate mousse are popular, B65-90).