Is there a place for cyclists in Singapore transport system?

Li Xueying, Straits Times 7 Mar 08;

THE British government will invest £140 million (S$390 million) over the next three years to boost cycling as a means of public transport. In Chicago, the mayor himself cycles to work, setting an example for the city. Paris has distributed thousands of low-cost rental bikes.

What about Singapore, asked Ms Irene Ng (Tampines GRC).

The Land Transport Authority (LTA), she charged, has been 'reluctant to provide leadership in developing bike-friendly infrastructure and policies, or to take bicycles seriously'.

'Its moves towards facilitating the use of bicycles have been tentative and piecemeal at best,' she said.

What it should do, said the MP, who is the patron of the Singapore Amateur Cycling Association, is to commission a 'serious study' to examine how congested cities have integrated bicycles seamlessly into their transport system.

In Singapore, she noted, the debate on the role of bicycles has centred on whether cyclists should share footpaths with pedestrians.

'But this masks the real issue - whether cyclists have a place in Singapore's transport system.'

The situation is especially urgent, in view of how 541 cyclists or pillion riders were killed or injured last year, as Ms Ng noted. This is a 44 per cent increase from 2005.

Also calling for more action on this front, Mr Teo Ser Luck (Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC) suggested a comprehensive set of dedicated cycling tracks and cycle lanes islandwide.

Responding to the two MPs, Minister of State for Transport Lim Hwee Hua said Mr Teo's call is 'not feasible', given Singapore's land constraints.

'The issue is not whether cyclists have a place in our transport system, but how do we allocate space among competing users that will best make use of our limited land,' she said.

She reminded them of several measures the LTA will implement, for instance, better bicycle parking facilities at MRT stations and bus interchanges.

On the issue of studying other cities' experience, the LTA 'will continue' to do so. But she added: 'It is important that we tailor the experience of overseas cities to our local context.'


6-month trial to let cyclists bring foldable bicycles on trains, buses
Channel NewsAsia 7 Mar 08;

SINGAPORE : There will be a six-month trial from the middle of this month to allow cyclists to carry their foldable bicycles on board trains and buses.

In addition, to make it more convenient for cyclists to use public transport, there will also be better bicycle parking facilities at MRT stations and bus interchanges in housing estates.

Announcing the good news for cyclists in Parliament on Thursday, Minister of State for Transport Lim Hwee Hua said the government recognised that cycling provides an additional if not alternative mode of transport.

This is especially for intra-town travel and to key transport nodes, like the MRT stations and the bus interchanges.

So as part of plans to promote greater use of public transport, a one-year pilot will also be carried out next year at MRT stations and bus interchanges in Pasir Ris, Tampines and Yishun.

Mrs Lim said this would allow the Land Transport Authority to gather feedback so as to better understand the usage patterns and needs of the cyclists before extending the facilities to all other MRT stations and bus interchanges.

However, she drew the line at providing dedicated cycling lanes.

Mrs Lim explained, "Given our land constraints, it is not feasible to provide a comprehensive set of dedicated cycling tracks or cycle lanes island-wide. We have to ask ourselves if this is the best way to make full use of our...very limited space.

"The issue is not whether cyclists have a place in our public transport system, but how do we allocate space amongst competing users that will best make use of our very limited land."

The issue of better facilities for cyclists was brought up by MP Irene Ng of Tampines GRC as well as Mr Teo Ser Luck, the Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development, Youth and Sports. - CNA/ms