Better cycling facilities in 5 neighbourhoods

Straits Times 13 Feb 09;

RESIDENTS in five neighbourhoods will be the first to get improved cycling facilities under a $43 million programme to promote it as a mode of transport.

Work will begin on 6.9km of cycling tracks for Tampines residents in the second half of this year, while 7.5km of tracks will be added in Yishun from next year. Plans are also in the pipeline for tracks in Sembawang, Pasir Ris and Taman Jurong.

These will either be dedicated 2m-wide cycling tracks or, where space is restricted, the tracks will join existing pedestrian footpaths but have painted markings to clearly identify them for cyclists.

The five were chosen because they have strong support for cycling, are relatively compact and have land available for the cycling tracks.

Senior Parliamentary Secretary (Transport) Teo Ser Luck announced these measures yesterday during the budget debate on estimates for the Transport Ministry.

He was responding to Ms Irene Ng (Tampines GRC), Madam Cynthia Phua (Aljunied GRC), Mr Wee Siew Kim (Ang Mo Kio GRC) and Mr Ang Mong Seng (Hong Kah GRC) who, while encouraged by the increasing use of bicycles, were concerned about safety and how cyclists would interact with pedestrians and other motorists.

Mr Teo, in acknowledging the competing demands for space, said the authorities had taken 'a very careful and deliberate approach to finding that balance between the various stakeholders'.

And while there was still some way to go before Singapore could be considered a 'cycling nation', he outlined initiatives to move the country in that direction.

First, a scheme to allow foldable bicycles on public transport has been approved after a six-month trial.

Foldable bicycles will be allowed on buses and trains during the off-peak periods of 9.30am to 4pm and after 8pm on weekdays, and all day on weekends and public holidays.

Other initiatives include 823 additional bicycle racks at three MRT stations - Pasir Ris, Tampines and Yishun - and safety signs on popular cycling routes.

An avid cyclist, Ms Ng, said that while cyclists were now allowed to share bus lanes, they were constantly squeezed out by buses. She called for markings on bus lanes to make them 'bike-bus lanes'.

Responding, Mr Teo said too many markings may confuse users. He suggested education and publicity as an alternative approach.

Mr Ang - who brandished a model of a bicycle, photographs and a bicycle light and bell when speaking during the debate - wanted bicycles to have licence plates so cyclists could be held responsible if they were reckless.

Mr Teo said this may not be practical or feasible to implement, and noted that bicycle-friendly cities like Paris and Amsterdam did not have such a regulation.

'Instead, we should focus on improving cyclist and pedestrian behaviour, which is really the crux of the matter,' he said. 'This is why we can move only at a pace that people are reasonably comfortable with, all the while actively consulting and engaging the various groups before taking the next step.'

MARIA ALMENOAR

LTA to spend S$43m on building cycling tracks in HDB estates
Channel NewsAsia 12 Feb 09;

SINGAPORE: More is going to be done to promote cycling in Singapore. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) will spend S$43 million to design and construct dedicated cycling tracks next to pedestrian footpaths in HDB estates.

The first phase of this programme will be implemented in Tampines, Yishun, Sembawang, Pasir Ris and Taman Jurong.

Foldable bicycles will also be allowed on MRT trains and public buses during off-peak hours on weekdays and all-day on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, from March 15.

The scheme follows an earlier six-month trial where an average of 70 foldable bicycles were brought on board trains and two foldable bicycles on board public buses each week.

LTA said eight out of 10 train commuters and about seven out of 10 bus commuters surveyed support the initiative. - CNA/vm

Cycling on a wheel of change?
Today Online 13 Feb 09;

CYCLING has been given a further push as a transport mode here.

First, foldable bicycles will be allowed on trains and public buses during off-peak hours from March 15. Second, dedicated cycling tracks next to pedestrian footpaths in HDB estates will be introduced at five estates. The scheme will start in Tampines later this year with a 6.9km track, before making its way to Yishun next year with a 7.5km track. Sembawang, Pasir Ris and Taman Jurong will also see such cycling tracks in their estates over the next few years.

The Government expects to spend some $43 million to create these tracks, said Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Transport Teo Ser Luck yesterday.

Earlier, several Members of Parliament had suggested a variety of ways to make cycling here even more popular. Ms Irene Ng (Tampines) said existing bus lanes could be shared with cyclists as “bike-bus lanes” — similar to the ones in France and Germany — giving them greater protection on the roads. Mr Teo said the Transport Ministry would consider her suggestion.

Mr Teo stressed that greater acceptance and consideration must be developed between the different road users to protect cyclists’ safety. “However, it will take time to develop this,” he said.LEONG WEE KEAT