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Monday, November 27, 2006

I don't know what's it with most Singapore drivers, especially taxi drivers. They always think that they are the kings of the road. Honking their horns at every slightest thing that annoys them while they're driving behaving like just because they pay for a COE and road tax, they can drive in any way they want while on the road. Over the past 5 years that I've been cycling, I've met many drivers who are retarded drivers, and have had confrontations with some of them. Most of these I've had confrontations with actually apologise the moment I point out that I'm more likely then them to die if hit. But there are the few special ones that don't give a shit and think that they have the right of way.

Taxi Drivers:
The bane of all road users. Most of them like to speed and not give way. I've nearly been hit by many of these pricks on many occasions. The moment you signal with your hand that you're going to switch lanes, they suddenly accelerate and try to overtake you as you're changing lanes, which is pretty fucked up because they just barely miss me. Then there are those that will never give way to you at a zebra crossing. The worst is when they see a customer in front and they suddenly cut into your lane and brake, thinking that a bicycle comes equipped with an emergency brake. and can stop within 3m without any problems. These guys always earn a middle finger from me.

Ah Bengs:
Note that not all Ah Bengs are bastard drivers. Some are actually very friendly to cyclists. But the ones to watch out for are those that have the tendency to commit road rage. Just on Saturday night, I was cycling in the middle of the outer most lane, and this Ah Beng had to honk his horn at me, for no damned reason. There's 3 lanes and there wasn't any other car on the road. He could have just switched lanes and there'd be no problems. But no, he had to piss me off by honking his horn. I did what I do best. I flipped him the bird. He stopped 50m in front of me. I cycled past his car. He cut me off. He wound down his window and ask me if I showed him the finger. Here's a transcript of what was said:

Beng: "Why did you point the middle finger?"
Me: "Since when did I flip you the bird?"
Beng: "Don't lie. I saw it just now."
Me: "You Pa-Jiao (blind) right? I didn't point my middle finger at you."
Beng: "Don't lie. I saw you in the rear-view mirror."
Me: "Dude, I was stretching (yeah, stretching the truth too). Is there a law against stretching while cycling?"
Beng: "(Refusing to admit that he's in any wrong) Fuck you. You want me to come out is it?"
Me: "No, but you're blind, and I don't take advantage of disabled people."
Beng: "(A little stunned that I said that) What a fucked up cyclist. Where's your helmet? Your lights? Bloody hell, taking up one lane like that. You know it's against the law?"
Me: "Who says I need a helmet, a light or that I can't cycle in the middle of the road? Is it your law or the government's law?"
Beng: "(Doesn't really know what to say) You better not let me catch you again."

Such an officious prick. He thought he could get away with the "law" on his side. Truth be told, what he said about those laws were true. Just that he doesn't know shit about the law, and just ramdomly came up with some "law" to snook me. Luckily I was quick with my reply, so he couldn't come up with a smart reply. Proves that Bengs are just all ignorant idiots.

And then there are those random drivers who think they can get the better of a cyclist by asking one very, very stupid and cliched question - "You know how to ride bicycle not?", in typical Singaporean fashion. My usual reply would be "If I didn't, I wouldn't even be riding a bicycle now". That usually shuts them up, unless it's the occasional Malaysian driver who's over here to visit relatives. They don't believe that other road users exist. If you get into an argument with them, they will make all sorts of threats, like "I'm going to beat you up", "You think that just because you're Singaporean I'm scared?", etc., . Then they move to the trunks of their cars to take out a "weapon". They think that just because I'm a cyclist I'm not carrying anything with me. Thing is, I carry all sorts of tools in my bag when I'm out cycling, and some are very sharp. Luckily for those that I've encountered, they have their families with them, little kids and all. I'm not such a bastard to beat a father up when his kids are around.

Damned irresponsible drivers.

Kenny died at 9:15 pm