Healthy Kids. Happy Kids: The Magic of Cycling

By Lyndon Yeo

Healthy Kids. Happy Kids is a treasure trove of wisdom on inspiring and nurturing healthy and happy kids. Conceived by social entrepreneur and cycling enthusiast Lyndon Yeo, the book is a delightful collection of short articles and quotes, zealously contributed by parents, professionals, doctors, child experts, counsellors and educators. Truly, the health and happiness of our kids depend on the collective wisdom and support of people coming from all walks of life. Read and be inspired by every gem of insights, observations and experiences stored in this little book. They are simply, priceless.

• Language: English
• Publisher: We Green Solutions
• Release date: Mar 12, 2014
• ISBN: 9789810762773

Book preview

1

THE MAGIC OF CYCLING

A

s a child, I had always enjoyed cycling along the canals in Telok Kurau, located in the eastern part of Singapore. While cycling, I would chase fireflies with my older siblings and friends. Once we had caught to our hearts’ content, we would place them in a bottle and shake them excitedly. Like magic, the fireflies would start to light up – brilliantly, and magnificently. It was sheer delight to all of us!

I only realised later in life that the thrill of chasing fireflies and watching them glow was actually a universal, communal activity enjoyed by the young all over the world. Sadly, here in Singapore, as the country began to urbanise to meet the increasing housing and development needs, its once enchanting attap houses and kampongs (villages in Malay) and lush green were converted into modern homes and concrete buildings. As a result, opportunities to chase fireflies became increasingly rare. Thankfully, efforts are underway to create beautiful parks and park connectors to connect new and existing parks across the island. Singaporeans and residents young and old can now cycle along park connectors while enjoying the rich, green spaces surrounding them – the natural ecosystems and horticultural gardens. With all of this, perhaps we could soon have the pleasure of catching fireflies again.

CYCLING AND I

I’ve been fascinated with bicycles since the age of four. I come from a large family of nine children and my parents could not afford to buy any of us bicycles then. My older siblings would borrow our neighbours’ bicycle and, as the youngest child, I had the privilege to sit and ride on the bicycle. Every time I rode, I would be overwhelmed by a strange, but exhilarating feeling of freedom. It was as if I was being transported to another world, away from the cares of this world. As a child, the feeling was indescribable. I was happy.

My mother finally bought me my first chopper when I was about 12 years old. While most kids my age wanted a big birthday party, all I wanted was a bicycle to call my own. Unfortunately, my pride of owning a bike was cruelly cut short. Some boys in my neighbourhood stole the wheels and left me with nothing but the frame! To make things worse, each time I fixed on a new pair of wheels, they would soon go missing. So I decided one day to confront the boys. Although a full head shorter, I stood facing them and exclaimed, Since you’ve been taking my wheels so often, why don’t you take the bike frame as well? They were very surprised by my challenge, and soon they realised my anguish