Almost everyone owns a bicycle. We see it everywhere on the streets, we use it for our day-to-day activities, or even as a crucial tool for livelihoods, but what do we know about the history of bicycles in Singapore?

Before the introduction of bicycles, the first forms of wheeled transportation were bullock carts and horse carts in the 1850s-1920s, used for the transportation of goods and passengers. Then came the Jinrickshaws (Japanese rickshaws), human pulled carriages in the late 1800s to early 1900s. This was followed by the horse-and-carriage Hackney in the early 1900s, and finally the trishaw, the first bicycle-propelled rickshaw, introduced during the Japanese Occupation (1942-1945) of Singapore.

The introduction of bicycles could be as early as the 1870s, when high-wheelers were ridden as a means of transport by Chinese blacksmiths to work at the Tanjong Pagar Dockyard. These high-wheelers were known to be ridden in England for recreational purposes.

According to a Straits Times article in 1983, the first bike to set wheels in Singapore is the “dandy horse” in the early 19th century, followed by the boneshaker in the 1860s, and the “Penny Farthing” in the 1870s. The modern bicycle, then known as the “Rover Safety” bicycle, appeared in the 1885. Its use in the region was pioneered by Europeans such as Walter Makepeace (1859-1941), journalist and editor of The Singapore Free Press, who cycled 363 miles from Malacca to Province Wellesley in eight days, a feat that would be difficult to accomplish on high-wheelers.

By the 1930s, as bicycles became more common in Asia due a booming bicycle industry in Japan, bicycles became more popular and affordable. The bicycle was then widely adopted and dominated as a means of transportation by people from all walks of life, and people “cycled everywhere they [went]”. It was used by professions such as the plantation estate managers, telegraph messengers, policemen, and soldiers, and were considered as war booty during the Japanese Occupation.

Besides these everyday uses of bicycles, the popularity of bicycles reached new peaks through the trends of acrobatic cycling in the 1950-1980s. Its popularity had much to do with the movie “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” in 1982, where many scenes involving acrobatic feats on bicycles inspired many young cyclists to take up the activity. The movie also gave rise to a sale of more than 40,000 “E.T.” bicycles by May 1983.

The Kong Chow Clan Acrobatic Cycling Troupe (冈州会馆飞车队), formed in 1957 by two instructors from the province of Xinhui (新会), China, was within the first of its kind to introduce acrobatic cycling in Singapore. The bicycles and unicycles for acrobatic performances were specifically remodelled from ordinary bicycles to improve the balance of the bicycle, characterised by its thick frames and wheels and its heavy weight. At its peak around the 1980s they were in the top ranks for their acrobatic stunts and performances, where they performed for various national events such as the National Day Parades and Chingay Processions. However, with the introduction of community centres in the 1950-80s, membership for such acrobatic cycling gradually declined as people could engage themselves in other activities within community centres near their homes. Furthermore, with other commitments such as national enlistment, family, and careers to care for, members of the team could not practice together most of the time, and thus were unable to progress further, leading to the disbandment of the troupe in the 1990s. The emergence of new trends such as break-dancing also contributed to its decline during that time period.

The usage of bicycles was so widespread and common that registration of bicycles was made mandatory by the British in the 1950s. The first bicycle licences were a bicycle identity card and licence plate that cyclists had to carry to prove ownership.

Bicycle registration carried on till 1982, when it was abolished due to the inconvenience and time-consuming chore of embossing bicycle numbers on its frame. However, owners faced greater risk of getting their bicycles stolen after the registration policy was abolished. With the increase in wealth and the emergence of comfier and safer modes of transportation such as cars, bicycles were thus increasingly used for recreational purposes and short distance travels.

Today, apart from postage services that have been using bicycles for deliveries, bicycles are used as an affordable and accessible alternative to motorised vehicles by delivery riders inspired to take up the role in the wake of a rise in delivery services during the pandemic. Unlike motor vehicles, bicycle users can avoid the hassle of bidding on the increasing prices of Certificate of Entitlement (COE), the vehicle quota system implemented since 1990, and other maintenance and miscellaneous fees. Bicycles are used more commonly for work and also for short distances to main transportation hubs such as train and bus interchanges.

People have also taken to the roads with the emergence of road cycling as a recreational activity. Bicycle races and competitions are also popular in the Singapore scene, with the first Tour de France criterium race in South-east Asia hosted by Singapore in 2022. Extension of pedestrian pathways to accommodate bicycle lanes, and the construction of bicycling trails around Singapore’s scenic and green spaces has further encouraged Singaporeans to engage in bicycling activities.

While bicycles might have retreated to the recreational sphere, it has always been a transportation tool cherished for its simplicity and its ability to get us to places where we need be.

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