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SINGAPORE: A 13-year-old girl lost control while riding a fixed-gear bicycle and was thrown from the device, falling six stories to her death in a multi-story parking lot in what a coroner called an unfortunate misadventure on Friday (Oct 23) .
Presenting her findings in the coroner’s investigation, State Coroner Kamala Ponnampalam said this was “a warning” that raises several concerns about the use of fixed gear bicycles, which are currently sold as normal bicycles, without restrictions.
A review is underway on the use of fixed gear bicycles, which require riders to reverse gear to stop the rear wheel instead of using conventional brakes. A report is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
The teenager had died of multiple injuries consistent with a fall from height after her fall from the sixth floor of the parking lot in Block 526A, Pasir Ris Street 51 on January 8.
The court heard that the teen had gone to the parking lot with a group of friends to ride the fixed gear bikes around 3.55pm that day.
The teenager saw her friends riding bikes and wanted to try it. He had learned to ride a conventional bicycle about a year ago.
Her friend helped her adjust the seat, but the 153cm tall teenager was still too short. She got on and rode her bike from deck 6B to deck 7A, but had a hard time handling the bike, saying that it had been some time since she had ridden her bike and she didn’t feel very safe.
One of her friends walked with her while she was riding her bike, but when the teenager came back down from the seventh floor, her friend couldn’t follow her.
She yelled at the teen to turn right, but couldn’t control the bike. He stepped forward and collided with a metal railing about a meter high, throwing it over the parapet.
The teenager briefly clung to the railing before losing control and falling to the ground floor. Her friends rushed forward, and a resident discovered the teenager downstairs bleeding from her mouth and gasping for air.
She was pronounced dead shortly after.
NON INHERENTLY UNSAFE FIXED GEAR BIKES: LTA
The deputy director of the Active Mobility Group under the Land Transport Authority said that LTA has always treated fixed gear bicycles as normal bicycles without purchase and use restrictions.
The coroner said the LTA says such bikes are not inherently unsafe, thus requiring a ban or immediate rules governing their use, but a review on use is underway and the report is expected to be finalized by the end of 2020.
There are no guidelines regulating braking mechanisms or handbrakes on bicycles, but the LTA acknowledged that there could be concerns with the use of fixed gear bicycles and compromised retailers.
Retailers said the braking systems on such bikes are explained to potential buyers and that handbrakes can be installed if buyers are unsure about using a bike without a brake.
Experienced riders, however, often choose not to install brakes and use the reverse function to stop the bike, but this requires a lot of force and power, the coroner said.
After the teenager’s death, LTA said it needed to study the issue further and a panel is reviewing the need to regulate the mechanism of all pedal bikes.
There has been a free program since February 2018, taught in community centers, schools and migrant worker dormitories, that educates bicycle users, including a practical component on how to use bicycles safely.
Cyclists driving dangerously may be required to undergo a safe riding program and pay full fees for this, and LTA said it will continue to monitor the use of bicycles, including fixed gear bikes, to see if training is required.
KICKBACK TO THE BRAKE REQUIRES STRENGTH
Zulkifli Awab, founder of the HolyCrit community cycling group, said fixed gear bikes cost less than regular bikes, and riding a bike without brakes can be perceived as cooler.
However, riders on these bikes need to be more vigilant because reverse braking requires a lot of force and power and is more difficult to handle than a normal bike.
Fixed gear bikes are not for young or inexperienced riders or unsuitable riders as they must have enough power to go backwards.
The coroner said there was no basis to suspect a dirty act in this case and said that the death of the teenager “was a direct consequence of her fall from her bicycle while going down the slope” and was an unfortunate misfortune.
However, this case was a warning that raises several concerns about the use of fixed gear bikes and highlights the general lack of understanding and knowledge about such devices.
The coroner said retailers should be required to demonstrate and explain the use of fixed gear bicycles, and that the active mobility group can review whether at least a brake should be placed on such bicycles. Passengers should also be required to wear helmets at all times, although it may not have made a difference in this case.
He expressed his condolences to the teenager’s family for his sad loss.
