Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on Plans to Trial on Road Cycling Lanes in More Residential Neighbourhoods

Mr Fadli Fawzi asked the Acting Minister for Transport 

a.     whether the Ministry has any plans to trial on-road cycling lanes in more residential neighbourhoods as successfully implemented in major cities like Paris at low cost; and

b.     if not, why not.

Reply by Acting Minister for Transport Jeffrey Siow: 

1.     We have trialled and implemented on-road cycling lanes; they are located along Tanah Merah Coast Road full day and time-based along West Camp Road.

2.     When we plan for dedicated on-road cycling lanes, we need to look for locations where vehicular traffic is relatively low, and the roads are wide enough to devote a lane for cyclists. While financial considerations are not always key, the cost of impact and potential inconvenience on existing road and non-road users of amenities and facilities in the area must be carefully assessed and addressed. It will also be important that any potential new area to implement on-road cycling lanes is serving an existing critical mass of regular on-road cyclists.

3.     We will grow this network over time to cater for road cyclists who want dedicated lanes, but we have to be realistic that in land-scarce and high-density Singapore, there will be limits to how much we can do.

4.     Our focus is therefore to expand off-road cycling infrastructure, which is safer for cyclists as well as motorists. The Islandwide Cycling Network programme aims to expand the cycling path network in every Housing and Development Board (HDB) town, as well as connect towns to one another and to the city. The Islandwide Cycling Network will increase from 750km currently to around 1,300km by 2030. The 21.5km long North South Corridor will also provide a cycling trunk route to connect active mobility users from the Northern region to the city, and support longer distance commute.