Cycling in Singapore

Singapore currently has 730 km (450 mi) of cycling paths and park connectors across Singapore, serving residential estates and the Central Business District. The National Cycling Plan (NCP) was first announced as part of the 2013 Land Use Plan, with the aim of providing 'a cyclist-friendly, well-connected network providing safe and healthy cycling for all'.[1] In 2020, the Islandwide Cycling Network (ICN) was launched to accelerate the expansion of the cycling network.

History

A National Cycling Plan was first outlined as part of the Urban Redevlopment Authority (URA) Draft Master Plan in 2013, as the government acknowledged the increasing use of cycling as a mode of transport.[2] At that point, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) had rolled out the "Cycling Town" initiative, with 6.4 km dedicated cycling paths already completed in these towns. However, transport minister Lui Tuck Yew vetoed the suggestion of demarcating cycling lanes on roads, claiming that it would lead to more accidents.[3] The National Cycling Plan was adopted into the LTA's 2013 Land Transport Master Plan.[4]

In 2020, the LTA launched the Islandwide Cycling Network (ICN) which was launched as part of efforts to accelerate the development of cycling path networks and active mobility infrastructure.[5]

Infrastructure

The Park Connector Network (PCN) is a network of walking/running/cycling paths that connects the various parks and other green spaces in Singapore. Both the parks and the PCN are managed by National Parks Board (NParks).[6]

The Bricks: Sport-In-Precinct & Cycle Park

In 2023, a new bicycle park, The Bricks: Sport-In-Precinct & Cycle Park, was announced to be built at Brickland, Choa Chu Kang. A BMX track, sheltered basketball court, fitness corner and playground will be part of the park.

A BMX pump track previously located in Tampines was demolished.[7]

Cycle Sport

The governing organisation for cycle sport in Singapore is the Singapore Cycling Federation. It is national governing body for the promotion and development of the sport of cycling (BikeTrial, BMX, MTB, Road and Track) in Singapore, and is affiliated to the Singapore National Olympic Council, the Asean Cycling Association, the Asian Cycling Confederation and Union Cycliste Internationale.

Legislation

In April 2016, the LTA announced the establishment of a dedicated enforcement team, which would work with the Traffic Police and the National Parks Board, to address reckless behaviour by cyclists and Personal Mobility Device (PMD) users. Around the same time, the government-appointed Active Mobility Advisory Panel introduced a set of rules and a code of conduct to guide the safe and responsible use of bicycles and PMDs.[8][9]

The Active Mobility Act was passed by the Singapore Parliament in January 2017, but enforcement only commenced in May 2018. According to the LTA, they had conducted "safe riding clinics" for users and engaged in dialogues with retailers to help prepare the public for the implementation of the new legislation. Under the Act, Power-assisted bicycles are not allowed on footpaths, while e-scooters are banned from public roads. Speed limits are capped at 15 km/h on footpaths and 25 km/h on park connectors and shared paths. The new law also imposes restrictions on the size and speed of devices permitted on public paths.[10] In May 2019, the LTA reported 3,700 offences committed under the Active Mobility Act.[11]

Under changes to the Active Mobility Act passed on 4 February 2020, stricter penalties were imposed on users of electric scooters, e-bikes, and other active mobility devices, including higher fines and longer jail terms. From April, all motorised PMDs will be prohibited on footpaths. Riders under 16 will also be barred from using e-scooters on public paths unless under adult supervision. Additionally, all e-scooter and e-bike users, including new riders, must pass an online theory test starting in the first half of 2021.[12]

In August 2024, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced that all bicycles and personal mobility devices (PMDs) will be banned from pedestrian-only paths from 1 July 2025.[13] Offenders could be fined up to $2,000 or jailed for three months, or both while pedestrians who walked on cycling paths will not be penalised.[13] The enforcement was due to the increased cycling lanes besides footpaths.[13] Pedestrian logos and “pedestrians only” wordings would be printed on footpaths next to the cycling paths.[13]

Bicycle sharing

China's bicycle sharing company, ofo, started its operations Singapore in February 2017.[14] However by January 2019 that the firm's operations in the country have "practically ceased" as there were no personnel left.[15] As of February 3, 2019, ofo's website has become defunct while the ofo app remained functional. On 14 January, Singapore's Land Transport Authority suspended ofo's operating license due to its failure to meet regulatory requirements such as implementation of QR code for parking of bike and decreasing its fleet size. ofo was required to remove all its bicycles within a month.[16]

In July 2025, there are 55,000 sharing bicycles in Singapore.[17]

Events

OCBC Bank organised the yearly OCBC Cycle is an annual mass-participation cycling event held on closed public roads since 2009. The event also hosts the Southeast Asia Speedway Championship which is sanctioned by the Singapore Cycling Federation.[18]

See also

References

  1. ^ Shin, Huoy Terh; Kai, Cao (2018). "GIS-MCDA based cycling paths planning: a case study in Singapore". Applied Geography. 94: 107–118. Bibcode:2018AppGe..94..107T. doi:10.1016/j.apgeog.2018.03.007. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
  2. ^ "Draft Master Plan 2013 - Cycling for All". Urban Redevelopment Authority. Archived from the original on 25 November 2013. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
  3. ^ "Speech (Part 2 - Private Transport) by Mr Lui Tuck Yew, Minister for Transport, for COS 2012". Ministry of Transport. 7 March 2012. Archived from the original on 12 March 2012. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
  4. ^ "Land Transport Master Plan 2013" (PDF). Land Transport Authority. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
  5. ^ "Factsheet: Islandwide Cycling Network (ICN) Programme to Improve Safety and Connectivity for all Path Users". LTA. 5 March 2020. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
  6. ^ "Check out the network!". National Parks Board. 29 July 2025. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
  7. ^ "蔡厝港添新设施 本地唯一BMX脚踏车游乐赛场落户碧林". Zaobao. 17 April 2023.
  8. ^ "Enforcement against errant cyclists, PMD users to be stepped up". TODAY. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
  9. ^ "RECOMMENDATIONS ON RULES AND CODE OF CONDUCT FOR CYCLING AND THE USE OF PERSONAL MOBILITY DEVICES" (PDF). Land Transport Authority. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
  10. ^ Toh, Yong Chuan (1 May 2018). "Reckless riders face stiff fines and jail as new law on personal mobility devices kicks in". The Straits Times. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
  11. ^ Abdullah, Zhaki (10 May 2019). "More than 3,700 offences committed under Active Mobility Act over past year, says LTA". The Straits Times. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
  12. ^ Toh, Ting Wei (4 February 2020). "Parliament: Law passed to raise penalties for active mobility offences; extend e-scooter footpath ban from April". The Straits Times. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
  13. ^ a b c d "Footpaths next to cycling lanes to become pedestrian-only; enforcement starts in July 2025". The Straits Times. 14 August 2024. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
  14. ^ Cheong, Danson (18 February 2017). "New bike-share scheme hits the road". Straits Times. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
  15. ^ Yusof, Amir (2 February 2019). "Ofo has 'practically ceased' operations, sacked employees say, no official notice made to LTA". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 22 October 2020. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
  16. ^ "Licence of bike-sharing firm ofo in Singapore suspended: LTA". Yahoo! Yahoo News Singapore. 14 February 2019. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
  17. ^ "Bike-sharing is back in Singapore – but can it avoid past pitfalls?". CNA. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  18. ^ "Cambodian cyclists to join Speedway Championship in Singapore". Khmer Times. 28 February 2024. Retrieved 29 February 2024.

Citations

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