Speed bumps installed at Boon Lay HDB void deck after bicycles & PMDs seen speeding
While these are usually placed on roads, four speed bumps have been installed at the HDB void deck of Block 211, Boon Lay Place, particularly at the entrances and exits of three elevators.
The block is the entryway to six other blocks in the area, opens access to a park, playground, and tennis courts, and has many bicycle users, Lianhe Zaobao reported.
The speed bumps were installed at the ground floor of the HDB block due to the frequent speeding of bicycle and personal mobility device (PMD) riders.
Source: Shin Min Daily
“There are many people riding bicycles in this area. The elevator is very spacious, and many electric bicycle riders easily hit people when passing by,” said Mr He, a resident. “Now this dangerous situation has been greatly reduced.”
A Shin Min Daily reporter noted that bicycle and PMD riders used to drive directly into the elevator. Now, they slow down or get off their vehicles when approaching the speed bumps.
PMD riders inconvenienced by speed bumps
However, some residents who use PMDs expressed that they were inconvenienced by the speed bumps.
65-year-old Li Jialu (transliterated from Mandarin) said he now has to go through the corridor on the other side to enter the elevator. Getting around becomes even harder for him when his alternative route is blocked.
“Residents on the first floor sometimes place items at the door, blocking the passage. In this case, they have no choice but to take the elevator through the entrance and exit with speed bumps installed.”
Despite this, he admitted it was indeed dangerous when cyclists and PMD users were speeding into the elevator.
He suggested installing speed belts instead to improve the situation, adding that he is willing to sacrifice a little convenience for safety.
Some residents also urged others not to look at their mobile phones and pay attention to their path while walking to avoid tripping over the speed bumps.
Accident rates dropped since speed bumps were installed at HDB void deck
Despite mixed reactions, Chen Cicai (transliterated from Mandarin), the chairman of the Residents’ Network, said the number of accidents has dropped significantly since the speed bumps were installed.
He revealed that he had received many complaints regarding deliverymen who rode electric bicycles in and out of the elevator, so he proposed installing speed bumps as a solution to the town council two years ago.
“As far as I know, there were two incidents where residents were knocked down and one person was almost hit,” he shared.
Source: Shin Min Daily
Currently, the speed bumps are being tested at Block 211 to see if they should be installed at other estates facing the same problem.
Mr Chen said residents who use PMDs have complained to him about the inconvenience of the speed bumps, but he believes they could still use barrier-free corridors to reach the elevators.
If electric bicycles are used recklessly, they may hit residents who use scooters, especially the elderly people in this area. This is a measure that has been carefully considered, and I hope that residents who use scooters can understand.
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Featured image adapted from Lianhe Zaobao and Google Maps.
