A 45-year-old cycling enthusiast, Rembrandt Struijk, made waves at Singapore’s recent Car-Free Sunday event as he traversed the city streets on a 145-year-old penny farthing, a vintage bicycle known for its distinctive large front wheel and smaller rear wheel.
The event, organized by the Land Transport Authority after a hiatus of over four years, aimed to promote sustainable travel modes like walking, cycling, and public transport. More than 1,000 people enjoyed car-free roads around the city center as well as various street activities.
“I want to seize the moment to really spotlight cycling for everyone,” said Struijk, to Yahoo.SI who was surprised by the attention his penny farthing received, who added, “I knew that the bike was going to get attention, I did not realise it would receive quite this much.”
The penny-farthing bicycle, introduced in the 1870s, featured a large front wheel and a smaller rear wheel, providing greater speed but posing safety risks due to its design. Named after British coins, it symbolized Victorian-era cycling innovation before being replaced by safer models.
Following the Car-Free Sunday event, images of Struijk and his vintage bicycle gained traction online, particularly on platforms like Reddit and Facebook, where users admired the bike’s unique charm.
Struijk, who hails from the Netherlands, credits his love for cycling to his Dutch heritage, where cycling is ingrained in daily life. He revealed that he learned about the event through various cycling groups on Facebook and shared that it was only the second time he had ridden his penny farthing in the city center since acquiring it in January.
Despite the logistical challenge of transporting the large bicycle from his home to the event venue, Struijk embarked on a lengthy walk, carrying the penny farthing and a unicycle on foot. He acknowledged the difficulty of transporting such a bicycle, noting that it couldn’t fit on public transportation or in a car.
Reflecting on the experience, Struijk emphasized the challenges of riding the penny farthing on Singapore’s busy streets, where cars are not accustomed to such unconventional bicycles. However, the Car-Free Sunday event provided him with a rare opportunity to pedal freely without the usual traffic hazards.
Describing the acquisition of his penny farthing as an adventure, Struijk purchased the bike online from a seller in the UK, who facilitated its shipment to Singapore. Despite initial concerns about its stability, Struijk found charm in the bicycle’s well-worn appearance, acquired over its 145 years of existence.
“I hope that by riding this bike, people will be inspired to either dust off their bikes or acquire one and hit the road,” he said.
Lead photo: Facebook Rembrandt Struijk
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