Decision on allowing cycling on Tampines footpaths expected after Jan 31
Asha Popatlal, Channel NewsAsia 14 Dec 08;
SINGAPORE: Errant cyclists in the Tampines neighbourhood will now have to answer to the Traffic Police if they run foul of the system.
Pedestrians and cyclists have been sharing footpaths in Tampines since mid-2007 as part of a year-long trial.
That trial was extended by another six months in August after a dialogue session with residents which saw mixed views.
Some of the issues being sorted out by the Tampines neighbourhood in the latter part of this cycling trial are those related to safety.
For example, some residents said that the paths are sometimes used by motorcyclists who use it as a short cut.
Even when there are no motorcyclists misusing the paths, some legitimate users still find it difficult to co-exist on the same pavement.
One cyclist said: "Old ladies walk inside and block the bicycle. Then their leg gets hit and they have a problem. So there must be a sign so that they know where to walk."
One pedestrian said: "The youngsters cycle very fast and they never ring the bell. I've encountered many of these (cases). So, that's quite dangerous.”
That's partly why the number of volunteer cycling wardens who encourage residents to cycle safely is being increased from nearly 200 to 250.
To give them more teeth, police have also done at least two enforcement blitzes there.
MP for Tampines GRC, Irene Ng, said: “We have so far been giving them warnings but there are no summonses given at this stage. Usually when the public see the police, as in any other situation, they will behave very well. But the point is that the residents know that the police are around so errant cyclists will not get away with it."
To make things easier, there are dedicated cycle tracks for those who go faster and widened footways for slower speeds where cyclists and pedestrians can share the same path.
Whether this will become a permanent way of life in Tampines is expected after 31 January 2009 after consultation with residents, the police and the Land Transport Authority. - CNA/vm
Safety concerns over bicycle pathway trial
Residents wantmore signs and paths to aid the elderly:
Channel News Asia, 938 LIVE, Today Online 15 Dec 08;
After more than a year of trial, residents in Tampines still feel strongly about having to compete for walking space with cyclists. This despite wider footpaths for residents and new bicycle tracks built.
Started in mid-2007, the trial was extended by another six months in August after a dialogue session with residents, which saw mixed views. :Now some of the issues being sorted out are those related to safety.
While some residents want more signs put up to demarcate the footpaths, they prefer separate paths for the safety of the elderly. Others want motorcyclists to stop taking advantage of the wider footpaths.
And even when there are no motorcyclists misusing the paths, some legitimate users still find it difficult to co-exist on the same pavement.
One cyclist said: “Old ladies walk ‘inside’ and block the bicycle. Then their leg gets hit and they have a problem. So there must be a sign so that they know where to walk.”
One pedestrian said: “The youngsters cycle very fast and they never ring the bell. I’ve encountered many of these (cases). So, that’s quite dangerous.”
That’s partly why the number of volunteer wardens who encourage residents to cycle safely is being increased from nearly 200 to 250.
To give them more teeth, police have also done at least two enforcement blitzes there.
MP for Tampines GRC, Irene Ng, said: “We have so far been giving them warnings but there are no summonses given at this stage. Usually when the public see the police, as in any other situation, they will behave very well. But the point is that the residents know that the police are around so errant cyclists will not get away with it.”
To make things easier, there are dedicated cycle tracks for those who go faster and widened footways for slower speeds where cyclists and pedestrians can share the same path.
A decision on whether this will become a permanent way of life in Tampines is expected after Jan 31, 2009, following a consultation with residents, the police and the Land Transport Authority.
More footpaths in Tampines will be wider soon
Nicholas Yong, Straits Times 15 Dec 08;
FOOTWAYS in Tampines are being widened in an attempt to accommodate cyclists and pedestrians.
At least 600m of footpaths in the Tampines estate have already been expanded to as much as 2m and another 600m will be broadened by the end of March next year.
The move is part of the Tampines Town Council's efforts to try and assess if a 18-month-long pilot project to allow cycling on pedestrian footpaths in the neighbourhood will work
In May last year, Tampines GRC Members of Parliament started a year-long trial of the pilot project. The trial period was extended by six months in August.
Based on feedback from residents and from a committee made up of representatives from the police, the Land Transport Authority and grassroots organisations, the town council decided to widen stretches of footpaths because they were too narrow to take both groups of users.
Further, the town council has been experimenting with putting up more safety features, such as signage and strips, to prevent cyclists from speeding along these footpaths.
They are also increasing the number of wardens, whose role is to provide advice and reminders to cyclists. If necessary, they may also report incidents of reckless cycling to the police. Forty-six more wardens will be deployed, bringing the total number to 236.
Tampines GRC MP Irene Ng, who spoke to reporters after handing out brochures on cycling safety with other MPs, including National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan, said another survey will be done after the extended trial ends next month.
The results of the trial and feedback from residents and the joint committee will be taken into account before a final decision is made, Ms Ng said.
The scheme has received a 'quite positive' response so far, she said. 'We are still educating that cyclists and pedestrians can share footways safely if both exercise their rights responsibly. There's no reason to feel threatened.'
Ms Ng stressed that the scheme is not for the whole of Singapore, noting that other estates may lack the comprehensive system that Tampines has put in place.
Tampines has set aside $1 million to build 2.3km of bike paths in the cycling-heavy areas, with a further 7km of paths which will link up with park connectors to other towns in the east.
Retiree Nuji Murtak, 75, who cycles to the market every day, thinks the scheme is a good idea. 'Before, I had to use the main road. Now with this new scheme, it's safer for me. I am a safe rider and I don't disturb other pedestrians.'
Fellow retiree Kar Ti Ni, 65, who has been cycling for 10 years, also supports the scheme but remains mindful of safety. A long time Tampines resident, Madam Kar gets off and pushes her bike when she sees pedestrians ahead.
Since the trial was extended, enforcement blitzes by the Traffic Police have been carried out against errant cyclists there.
Even if the scheme to allow cyclists on footpaths is approved, cyclists still have to exercise caution.
Those caught riding without due regard for the safety of others are liable to face a composition fine of $20. Reckless cyclists can also be jailed up to a year, or fined up to $5,000 or both.
Last year, 340 summonses were issued to errant cyclists islandwide.
