To me, the coming December first will be the start of a new phase. I will be leaving my 21 years comfort zone in Philips and starting all on my own. It feels like jumping off a big ship and throwing myself (and family) into the open sea. This seems silly but not if you can see what I am seeing while cruising on the big ship. The vision I have is to help make bicycling an easier and better choice for many people. This vision connect to my belief that bicycle will be an important solution to many problems that we face in modern cities. Such belief is so strong that I lost motivation to continue with the same routine job. I find it necessary to follow my heart and do something more meaningful.
My close friends and family ask with great concern, “How are you going to sustain financially?” I have savings but certainly not enough to sustain for a long time-if we continue to spend without adjustment. The key question is how much is enough to live a happy, stress free life? I need to find that out, together with my wife and two sons. I am blessed and thankful that they are supportive in my decision.
Leaving the financial uncertainty aside, I am really looking forward to the “office hour free” days. I should be able to spend more time riding, blogging, teaching, designing, selling and promoting bicycles, or bicycle related activities. I should be able to apply what I have learnt throughout the 21 years working in Philips, in a new way. Knowing the advantages and limitations a big organization encounter, helps. Having years of experience of working and living in Holland and seeing first hand how bicycle can be a viable transport solution also helps. I learnt a lot from my Philips colleagues and they will continue to be my inspiration and resources.
The Singapore Government has allocated 43 million dollars to improve bicycle infrastructure in seven cycling towns. This is peanuts if compared to the multi-billion dollars road construction works for cars, yet it is a fundamental paradigm shift from the authority: from ignoring to recognition! The same trend is happening in advanced Asia cities like Hong Kong, Taipei and Shanghai. There is still a long way to go before bicycling become as safe and popular as in Holland. I can see there is a lot needs to be done and I am sure there are ways that I can contribute and also make a living from by helping shorten this transition period.
- Francis Chu 2010-11-26
Hi Francis,
Wish you all the best and success in cause that you are pursuing.
You inspire me to be courageous
Keep in touch
Thank you so much Sajid. Your words has been inspirational to me all the time. Yes keep in touch and also in Facebook!
…in time the sea will also benefit from your bold move. Wishing you success in achieving your dreams. Keep in touch.
Thanks Daphne, you are right – it the same open sea we are sailing within. I’m sure we will meet again.
Hi Francis.
Wishing you and your family all the best on your new adventures on the high seas. Even though you mention that you will be persuing more meaningful purpose in life I believe that your 21years in Philips Design has also had avery menaingful impact on people’s lives. With your very clear vision of your new dream you are deserving of success and from which we can only benefit.
Can’t agree more Greg, that’s the reason I will continue to recommend people to work for Philips.
Dear Francis,
Thank you for the opportunity working with you over all these years
Finally people will envy you for the bold decision you have made.
I wish you all the wisdom & good luck to succeed in this new journey and leave you with two quotations supporting it
All the best, Edward Tonino
Much of the success of life depends upon keeping one’s mind open to opportunity and seizing it when it comes.
Alice Foote MacDougall
Every day begins with an act of courage and hope: getting out of bed
Mason Cooley
Dear Ed, you are always so philosophical in a practical way. I love it!
Wish you all the best in the new adventure & bicycle the new routes and ways… admire you have the courage to make your dream come true. keep going & enjoying life & cheers,
virginia
Thank you Virginia!
Dear Francis,
What a fantastic adventure you have ahead of you! I wish you and your family all the best. You can never regret following your passion. [.. did you know Henry Cutler, now owner of Henry's workcycles in Amsterdam, made a similar career move? Maybe it is nice to talk to him?]
Good luck! s*
Thank you Esther, yes it would be interesting to meet Henry Culter, I heard so much about him!
Dear Francis,
I like cycling and hope to join you to have a tour one day with my family. Enjoy the new start, stay cool & stay fit!
take care
Lydia
Sure, welcome to join out Sunday ride when you are in Singapore next time. I can provide bicycle and will be your tour guide
Dear Francis,
Thank you for the period we worked together, from which I remember you as understanding and kind, but persistent in your belief to create solutions that improve daily life. Your new quest takes you a step further, in leaving us and start your own endeavor, for such a valid and motivating area to explore.
I wish you and your family happiness in this adventure, and I hope it will lead you to further fullfilling future !
With sincere regards,
Loet
Thank you Loet,
It’s great to hear from you again after these years. It has been a great pleasure to work with you.
I have been cycling to work everyday since 7 years ago. It helps me to keep fit, minimize medical and transportation cost. It also become a family activity to explore Singapore on wheel in the weekend.
I would be happy if my work helps to make cycling an easier choice for more people.
With warm regards,
Francis
Good luck Francis, sounds like good fun!
Thank you for being a great friend and mentor at Philips. I’d learnt a lot from working with you – especially inspiring the way you keep a big picture and stay true to yourself.
And it’s been a while since i rode with you, i have to join you guys one of the sundays!
Pei Kang,
Thanks for your kind works.
I am looking forward for you to join the Sunday ride.
Francis,
Thank you for all ur wise words and advice. I have really learned a lot from you and enjoy esp the chats we had while riding…. Exciting times and pls do let me know how I can be of help in anyway!
Hey Tai Woon, I enjoy the rides and the conversation as much. Remember we joke about the cloud? Which was a trigger for the bobo cloud . So I also learn a lot from talking to you too.
All the best my friend. It takes a lot of courage to take this big step but rest assure that with lots of preserverance, optimism and luck you will succeed!
Hi Matt, thanks very much! and Happy New Year.
Hi Francis,
Just read through you message above. Fantastic! Thouroughly reccomend life on the open road and steering your own course. Best of luck with everything and really hope to catch up sometime soon.
All the best
Roli