MP Baey Yam Keng at a cycling event in Singapore. (Photo: chuwasg, Wikimedia Commons)
Singapore has ambitious plans to become a model cycling city, just like Copenhagen and Amsterdam. However, much-needed improvements must be made to existing infrastructure, and attitudes have to change before this can become a reality.
By Romesh Navaratnarajah
By 2030, Singaporeans will be able to cycle around the island along a 150km park connector called the Round Island Route, while cycling networks will be built in HDB towns like Ang Mo Kio, which is currently being transformed into Singapore’s first walking and cycling town. These were just some of the ambitious plans mentioned by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in his recent National Day Rally speech, which highlighted some of the country’s future developments.
Singapore’s efforts to go car-lite have been outlined in the National Cycling Plan for some time, which forms part of the Land Transport Master Plan 2013. The plan envisions more than 700km of cycling paths and park connectors in Singapore, up from the current 230km. To make cycling convenient and safe, bicycle racks will be provided at MRT stations and signs along cycling routes will be improved. In addition, a code of conduct for the responsible use of cycling paths will be developed.
While such initiatives have been internationally praised by academics and politicians, there are many challenges to overcome. For instance, even though cycling is becoming more popular in Singapore, it only accounts for about one percent of all trips here, according to research done by the LTA Academy. This pales in comparison to Copenhagen, which leads the rest of the world with a cycling mode share of 35 percent, followed by Amsterdam at 27 percent.
Actions speak louder than words
Gabe Klein, the former transportation chief of Chicago and Washington DC, told PropertyGuru that it is still too early to tell if Singapore is on track to becoming a car-lite city like its European peers.
“I see Singapore saying all the right things. The key will be to act on it, such as reallocating space away from cars and launching new programmes like bicycle- and car-sharing schemes,” he said. “I am very hopeful based on what I have seen on my visits, and see a sincere desire to embrace change.”
According to Klein, the key to promoting cycling over car use is to provide various options to commuters. Aside from building transit-oriented developments close to homes and workplaces, they should also be extended to other locations, such as near schools, supermarkets and restaurants. “In this way, location and not transportation is the priority, and travel is hopefully limited,” he said.
He listed down a litany of benefits of going car-lite, including better health, cleaner air, lower transportation costs, safer streets, and more wages being funnelled into the local economy and homeownership.
No squeezing on the MRT
33-year-old Timothy Soh told PropertyGuru that the main reason he took up cycling three years ago was to avoid squeezing on the train to get to work. “When I started cycling, my workplace was at Serangoon. It would take me 45 minutes to an hour to get to work by public transport,” said the Operations Manager who lives in Ang Mo Kio. “However, cycling takes me to my workplace in under 30 minutes.”
Cycling to work also helps him save more money. He did his own calculations and found that car owners here spend an average of around $1,500 a month on their vehicles, factoring in loans, parking and fuel. In a year, this amounts to roughly $18,000 of their annual income. “That is a lot of money that could be spent on parents’ healthcare, kids’ education or charities,” said Soh. “By comparison, over the last three years, I’ve spent about $1,000 on maintenance for my four bikes.”
Soh believes that Singapore has made great strides towards becoming a more cycling-friendly nation, but stressed that supporting infrastructure needs to be built to encourage more people to take up cycling, including secure parking facilities, safer road designs, and toilets with shower facilities throughout the city.
Artist’s impression of the 150km Round Island Route. (Photo: National Parks Board)
New rule for developers
Unbeknownst to Soh, such facilities are set to become more common in future, after the government mandated that property developers must submit a detailed Walking and Cycling Plan (WCP) for their future developments with effect from July this year.
As part of the WCP, facilities like bicycle parking, showers and lockers must be factored into the plan, which was first rolled out in commercial developments such as shopping malls, offices, business parks and schools.
Interestingly, a report published earlier this year by the Urban Land Institute (ULI) found that developers across the world are becoming more responsive to the needs of cyclists.
“Through supporting bike infrastructure, real estate professionals can play a significant role in creating healthier, more sustainable communities. They can also help position their projects and communities in a marketplace that increasingly values active transportation,” said the report’s authors.
An EC with a velodrome
The ULI report profiled 10 real estate developments in the world that have adopted a more people-friendly design, most of which were in the US. The only project from Singapore to make the coveted list was the Westwood Residences executive condominium (EC) in Jurong West, which is due to be completed next year.
The 480-unit project is the first ever cycling-themed EC. Jointly developed by Koh Brothers and Heeton Holdings, it features an outdoor mini velodrome, the first of its kind in Singapore, and a bicycle garage that can house 500 bicycles, secured by a biometrics system.
According to the report, this kind of project shows that “leading development practitioners are recognising the competitive advantage of investing in active transportation amenities”.
“By leveraging and enhancing access to walking and bicycle facilities, they are helping to initiate a win-win cycle of mutually reinforcing private and public sector investment in active transportation in communities around the world.”
Sharing is caring (for the environment)
Another development that has become more bicycle-friendly is Riverbank@Fernvale in Sengkang. Last July, its developer UOL Group announced that it would launch Singapore’s first bicycle-sharing facility for residents of the condominium, which is scheduled to be completed in early 2017.
UOL will supply 50 bicycles, which will be shared among the residents of the 555-unit project. The facility will be administered by the managing agent of the estate, and residents who want to use the bicycles can book them for free.
Anthony Wong, General Manager (Marketing) at UOL Group said: “As a developer, we can influence how people live by way of design features, even simple ones. By incorporating a bicycle facility that links to the park connector, we can encourage more residents to cycle for a healthy lifestyle and (to) enjoy family bonding at the same time.”
Residents will also be able to use the bicycles for short commutes to Sengkang MRT station and eateries along Jalan Kayu.
Wong revealed that if the response is good, more bicycles will be added for the residents. PropertyGuru understands that UOL also has plans to introduce such facilities at other condominiums in future, such as Principal Garden, which is located next to the Alexandra Park Connector.
“In time to come, bicycles may well become a mainstream mode of transport as people may want to reduce their carbon footprint or rely less on public transport,” added Wong.
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