Written Reply by Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan to Parliamentary Question on Review Width of Footpaths Given Shared Usage by Pedestrians, Cyclists and Users of Personal Mobility Devices

Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Transport given that bicycles and personal mobility devices (PMDs) will share the use of footpaths together with pedestrians

a.     what are the criteria used to determine whether an existing footpath will be widened;

b.     what is the recommended minimum width for footpaths to ensure safe shared usage between cyclists and pedestrians; and

c.     whether Ministry will conduct an islandwide review to ensure that existing footpaths which are often used by cyclists and PMD users are widened in accordance with this minimum width.

Reply by Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan:

1.     Today, most of our footpaths are at least 1.5 metres wide. Footpaths near town centres and MRT stations are generally wider, between 2.4 metres and 3.6 metres, to accommodate more pedestrians and cyclists. It is not always possible to widen footpaths, due to site constraints like existing trees and utilities. LTA also builds dedicated cycling lanes, which are generally 2 metres wide. More of such lanes will be built as part of our plans to have a cycling path network in every HDB town by 2030.