We got to know Rex in the early part of this year, before Chinese New Year. What we did not know was that he had already done some online research on folding bikes before he finally saw the real thing at East Coast Park one weekend!
By using the park connector, Rex rides everyday from his home at Bishan to his workplace at South Bridge Road, clocking in two hours of cycling every day!
His wife Regina also owns a Strida and both can be seen cycling at East Coast Parkway on weekends. In fact, if you want to spot or meet Strida Riders on weekends, ECP is the place to go:
1) How did you get to know of Strida?
I was surfing the web for award-winning foldable bikes and found the UK Strida site. A few months later, there were three of these sexy things ridden by none other than Vivian, Steven and their friend, Terence. I spotted the real thing at East Coast Park. A subsequent search revealed Singapore's very own Strida shop in Lavender.
2) Do you own other bicycles?
I have a Schwinn Heavy Duty Cruiser which is braked by back-pedalling, and an Aleoca foldable bike.
3) Why did you choose a folding bike over a normal bike like a mountain bike?
I needed a bike which would be allowed on public transport on wet weekdays, and which could fit into my Renault Clio on weekends.
4) With single gear, does Strida go a lot slower? Doesn't it affect your ride?
The only limiting factor is leg-power. So the more you have, the faster you go!
5) What is it that you like about your Strida?
My Strida is my perfect travelling companion ( apart from my wife, of course!).
It is light enough to be carried easily up and down stairs and overhead bridges,
and small enough (when folded) to be stowed unobtrusively both in the office and on public transport.
6) Where do you ride/go with your Strida?
My Strida goes to work with me on weekdays and on dates with my wife on weekends.
7) Can you describe your normal riding route? How long does it take you and the total distance one way and two way?
It's park connectors most of the way via Bishan Park-Potong Pasir- Bendemeer- Kallang- Marina Promenade- Esplanade- South Bridge Road.
The total one-way distance is approximately 14 km and takes me just under an hour. There is a lot of relaxing greenery en route with an especially scenic stretch along Marina Promenade. It's also quite nice to see the same old people fishing, exercising, joggling and cycling by every day.
1) How did you get to know of Strida?
I was surfing the web for award-winning foldable bikes and found the UK Strida site. A few months later, there were three of these sexy things ridden by none other than Vivian, Steven and their friend, Terence. I spotted the real thing at East Coast Park. A subsequent search revealed Singapore's very own Strida shop in Lavender.
2) Do you own other bicycles?
I have a Schwinn Heavy Duty Cruiser which is braked by back-pedalling, and an Aleoca foldable bike.
3) Why did you choose a folding bike over a normal bike like a mountain bike?
I needed a bike which would be allowed on public transport on wet weekdays, and which could fit into my Renault Clio on weekends.
4) With single gear, does Strida go a lot slower? Doesn't it affect your ride?
The only limiting factor is leg-power. So the more you have, the faster you go!
5) What is it that you like about your Strida?
My Strida is my perfect travelling companion ( apart from my wife, of course!).
It is light enough to be carried easily up and down stairs and overhead bridges,
and small enough (when folded) to be stowed unobtrusively both in the office and on public transport.
6) Where do you ride/go with your Strida?
My Strida goes to work with me on weekdays and on dates with my wife on weekends.
7) Can you describe your normal riding route? How long does it take you and the total distance one way and two way?
It's park connectors most of the way via Bishan Park-Potong Pasir- Bendemeer- Kallang- Marina Promenade- Esplanade- South Bridge Road.
The total one-way distance is approximately 14 km and takes me just under an hour. There is a lot of relaxing greenery en route with an especially scenic stretch along Marina Promenade. It's also quite nice to see the same old people fishing, exercising, joggling and cycling by every day.
8) Has cycling improved your general well-being or health?
Definitely! I feel energized and clear-headed when I arrive at the office each day, and fitter and stronger in general.
My sports dri-fit outfit keeps me cool and comfortable throughout my ride. After a quick shower and change of clothes at the office, I am at my desk all set for the day.
9) In your view, what do you think a rider should consider when buying a folding bike?
A foldable bike has to be light, easy to handle when folded and above all, very foldable- just like my Strida!
10) What do you do for a living?
I am a designer/animator/music-maker and I spend days (and sometimes nights) animating characters, creating music and sound effects. (P.S: he is very good at what he does! and psst, the Mr Brown Christmas e-card was developed by him!
P.S: He has just created a sweet piece of techno music just for Strida riding!
11) Where do you keep your bike in the office?
My Strida is displayed in the living area of my office because it is simply too beautiful to be hidden under my desk.
Definitely! I feel energized and clear-headed when I arrive at the office each day, and fitter and stronger in general.
My sports dri-fit outfit keeps me cool and comfortable throughout my ride. After a quick shower and change of clothes at the office, I am at my desk all set for the day.
9) In your view, what do you think a rider should consider when buying a folding bike?
A foldable bike has to be light, easy to handle when folded and above all, very foldable- just like my Strida!
10) What do you do for a living?
I am a designer/animator/music-maker and I spend days (and sometimes nights) animating characters, creating music and sound effects. (P.S: he is very good at what he does! and psst, the Mr Brown Christmas e-card was developed by him!
P.S: He has just created a sweet piece of techno music just for Strida riding!
11) Where do you keep your bike in the office?
My Strida is displayed in the living area of my office because it is simply too beautiful to be hidden under my desk.
12) For those thinking of commuting to work by cycling, what is your advice?
For safety, be appropriately kitted-out with a helmet and lights, and obey traffic rules.
13) Any funny incidents involving the Strida?
Being chased by a golden labrador, being ambushed by the same dog, and witnessing a fellow Strida Rider being menaced by the same beast all in the space of a week! (These incidents were not so funny at the time!)
Another incident which was breathtaking, rather than funny, was seeing an eagle doing a National Geographic-style fishing stunt along my cycling route once.
I always enjoy my journey home but it was definitely more fun when I had the company of other Strida Riders after a posting on the Strida Forum. We are considering making this a regular thing.
14) Have you been chased before by strangers who asked you about your Strida?
Yes, by pedestrians and by riders of other types of bikes including a couple of mountain bike riders whom I overtook unwittingly.
One of these caught up with me at the pedestrian crossing at Bishan park and told me how amazed he was that a small single-geared bike could go so fast.
P.S: Rex recounted a story during which he overtook a MTB cyclist who then tried to catch up with him at the traffic junction. When asked why he was going so fast (on a single-geared bike!), Rex sheepishly replied, " I want to get home before it rains!"
For safety, be appropriately kitted-out with a helmet and lights, and obey traffic rules.
13) Any funny incidents involving the Strida?
Being chased by a golden labrador, being ambushed by the same dog, and witnessing a fellow Strida Rider being menaced by the same beast all in the space of a week! (These incidents were not so funny at the time!)
Another incident which was breathtaking, rather than funny, was seeing an eagle doing a National Geographic-style fishing stunt along my cycling route once.
I always enjoy my journey home but it was definitely more fun when I had the company of other Strida Riders after a posting on the Strida Forum. We are considering making this a regular thing.
14) Have you been chased before by strangers who asked you about your Strida?
Yes, by pedestrians and by riders of other types of bikes including a couple of mountain bike riders whom I overtook unwittingly.
One of these caught up with me at the pedestrian crossing at Bishan park and told me how amazed he was that a small single-geared bike could go so fast.
P.S: Rex recounted a story during which he overtook a MTB cyclist who then tried to catch up with him at the traffic junction. When asked why he was going so fast (on a single-geared bike!), Rex sheepishly replied, " I want to get home before it rains!"
