Backpedaling into a Fatal Slip: A Bike‑Riding Mishap
Picture this: a 19‑year‑old food courier, Khairul Hairuman, riding his bike down a humid Singapore street, spotting a red light, and then… well, he decides the traffic signal is just a suggestion.
Events as They Unfolded
- April 13, last year, 5:15 pm – Khairul, a deliverer‑in‑training, was cruising the two‑lane Lorong Ah Soo, heading toward Upper Paya Lebar Road.
- The road sun was bright, the traffic busy, a bus had anchored itself in the left lane just before the pedestrian crossing.
- Khairul’s view was totally blocked. Behind him, cars wove like rapid‑fire traffic, while a bus sat like a dozing giant.
- He put the pedal to the metal, convinced the light had turned green for him, and sprinted toward the crossing.
- At the same moment, Mr. Tong Cheng Poh, a 73‑year‑old local, was crossing the road under the “green man” signal.
- Collision! The bike slammed into Mr. Tong, who later died from a head injury the following day.
Why the Bike Was Basically a Piston
When prosecutors inspected the bicycle, they discovered it had neither front nor rear brakes. The only braking system it possessed was a “coaster brake” – the sort of brake that lets you slow down by reversing the pedals. Truth be told, that’s only effective at very slow speeds.
Khairul himself had removed the front brakes a week before the accident and never reinstalled them. He knew his bike was a bit of a dud.
What the Court Wants to Do
- Khairul was found guilty of causing death by a rash act, a serious offense that can land a maximum of 5 years in jail and a $5,000 fine.
- Deputy Public Prosecutor Lee Zu Zhao asked for four months of imprisonment, arguing that Khairul’s safety negligence was clear.
- “He ran a red light, knew he had no brakes, and still rode on a public road,” Lee said.
Additional Gremlins: The Delivery Company’s Side of the Story
The delivery firm that marketed Khairul as a “Deliveroo” rider protected itself with a public relations statement:
- Khairul never officially worked with Deliveroo, and wasn’t delivering at the time of the accident.
- Deliveroo remains committed to road safety, holding its riders to rigorous prep courses and a zero‑tolerance policy for rule‑breaking.
-
The company pledged to cooperate with authorities and to */
developers omitted danger bait: We would have to write the context. Ensure correct display. - The statement also said it was a tragic event and offered condolences to Mr. Tong’s family.
When the Verdict Waits
Community Court Judge Eddy Tham paused sentencing to February 6, allowing the prosecution to bring in more evidence.
In short, it’s a heartbreaking reminder that a bike with “no front or rear brakes” and a driver who thinks a red light is a suggestion can lead to severe consequences – no joking around. The law will weigh whether this mishap warrants jailtime or a heavy fine, but the key point is that nothing – even a cyclist’s routine lunch break – is worth risking life and safety.
