As for speeding, Mr Aljunied said: “If you start late, expect to arrive late. You cannot make up for the lost time because the only way to make up for the lost time is to break the rules. And when you break the rules, you risk an accident.”
Mr Lin agreed, adding that accident numbers should not have to keep rising if all road users abide by traffic rules in spite of the increase in vehicles on roads.
Mr Ong said that while some drivers may have “attitude problems”, riders need to take charge of what they can control, which is to avoid dangerous situations.
He advised riders not to go into red traffic zones, avoid lane splitting around large vehicles, keep a safe distance and stay alert to the overall traffic situation.
He also encouraged riders to ride in pairs to increase their visibility to motorists – one of the hallmarks of the Harley Davidson riding groups that ride in a staggered formation.
“Experienced riders should guide inexperienced riders. If everyone does it, maybe we can have more harmony among riders on the road,” he said.
Need to change road culture
Most road users agreed that neither bikers nor drivers are fully to blame for the spike in motorcycle-related fatalities.
Mr Karve said when conflict occurs between a car driver and rider, riders will generally come off worse.
He said: “I don’t think accidents are simply a result of a lack of skill, but more of the mentality of wanting to squeeze into any gaps instead of just sitting in traffic.”
Mr Quah said the biggest issue is Singapore being a “hustle and bustle city-state”, and society at large should learn to slow down and be more aware of the environment.
Motorist Shannon Sim, 24, said the tense road culture seems unique to Singapore, adding that she was surprised at how gracious road users were when she was driving in the US while on holiday recently.
Mr Quah, who has driven cars and ridden motorcycles in several countries, recounted how he realised he was driving like a “mad man” while in Japan.
On why the Harley Owners Group has such stringent safety protocols for its members, he said: “In Singapore, behaviour begets behaviour.
“Sometimes, people think we are a bit dogmatic about these things. But if we behave well, we demonstrate positive behaviour, hopefully we will have a positive impact on other riders as well.”
Mr Karve and Mr Lin both said they felt conditions on Singapore’s roads can be overwhelming, with everyone always seemingly pressed for time.
Mr Karve said: “I think it’s hard to blame anyone. Everyone is just trying to get through without hurting anyone. Maybe we’re at a point in which there’s too much going on for people to be totally aware all the time.
“It’s the challenge of having both these types of vehicles on the road, and everyone acting in their own interests.”
Mr Chang, who drives his five children to school daily, said he noticed how people can become “unyielding” during the rush hour.
The root of the issue, he said, is road users’ lack of patience and graciousness. He hopes there will be more initiatives reminding people to be polite and empathetic while commuting.
“Because the truth is, when you finish getting a driving licence, there is hardly anybody to remind you what road safety etiquette looks like,” he added.
Mr Quah said: “We are dealing with people’s lives and livelihoods. So, we can become more conscientious users overall, which is something we’ve talked about as a society for many years.”
While there are many facets to what causes accidents, he added that motorists should consider the perspective of other road users, including motorcyclists, to understand how to best respond to one another.
The Automobile Association of Singapore in a statement said safer and more pleasant road environments require fostering a culture of courtesy and consideration among road users, encouraging them to be gracious and look out for one another.
It added that a holistic approach should not only be disseminating information but also fostering a culture of responsible road behaviour.
It said: “This involves promoting active participation in road safety initiatives, encouraging open discussions within families, and creating accessible resources for ongoing education.
“By tailoring campaigns to specific demographics and emphasising the collective responsibility of different community members, we can establish a more effective framework for creating lasting awareness and promoting safer road practices.”