Anyone who have read my previous post “Neither Man nor Machine” will know that I have been taking motorcycle lessons. It is good to know that the Riding Theory books actually acknowledges the existence of bicycles on the road, and teaches motorcycle riders how far to conduct themselves when riding near cyclists. This is because motorcyclists are meant to use the left lane, and are quite likely to encounter bicycle riders.
However, I had a rude shock the other day while attending one of the compulsory Riding Theory Lessons, the teacher was explaining one of the test questions about how to anticipate a cyclist’s actions when riding pass him, when he made a comment that cyclists are on the roads illegally, and should only cycle on cycling paths. I had a right mind to correct him, but I had not brought my proof with me, and wanted to get the lesson over with so I can get a stamp of attendance on my booklet.
So, there you go. They are passing on this misinformation in the driving schools, it is no wonder that we do encounter unreasonable motorists on the road.
I guess it is back to status quo for Singaporean cyclists after the trial of pavement sharing in Tampines. The roads are still to scary for many cyclists, drivers and pedestrians still complain, and there is not enough land in Singapore to build cycle paths. What else is new?
I am, like you, an avid cyclist taking motorcycling lessons. Contrary to your experience, I have nearly completed the 2B course without anyone mentioning that cyclists are illegally on the road. I believe it is a very small minority of people, not limited to driving and riding instructors, who believe that and propagate it to those around them. In fact, one of the instructors advised us to watch out for cyclists and to give them as much space as possible, “because we are all vulnerable on two wheels, no one will look out for us but we must look out for each other.”
Yeah, thats why it came as such a shock to me that an educator is so misinformed and is misinforming others. I am sure they are in their minority, or the roads would be unusable. Good luck with your Class 2B license.