1 Pasir Ris has joined Tampines and Sembawang as the first HDB towns with their very own network of intra-town dedicated cycling paths. This is part of the Land Transport Authority’s (LTA) plans to build intra-town cycling path networks in all HDB towns by 2030, which will make cycling safer, more convenient and enjoyable.
2. Launching the Pasir Ris cycling path network today was Guest-of-Honour, Mr Teo Chee Hean, Deputy Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security, Minister for Home Affairs and Member of Parliament for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC. Parliamentary Secretary for Transport and Health, and Chairman of the Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety Committee, Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, who was also at the event, said, “The completion of Pasir Ris cycling path network will greatly enhance connectivity and safety for the residents. Besides putting in place the necessary infrastructure, we are also working towards developing a set of rules and norms for cycling conduct and behaviour. With these in place, I believe more people would find it safer and more convenient to cycle as a mode of transport, especially for short trips within the HDB town.”
3. LTA’s new cycling paths will add another 9.3km to the existing network in Pasir Ris Town built by the Town Council. With 13.3km of cycling paths in total, residents can cycle from their homes to Pasir Ris MRT Station, bus interchange, White Sands and other key amenities within the estate. Cyclists can also ride to adjacent towns such as Tampines and Changi Village through the park connectors. To enhance safety for pedestrians and create a more seamless cycling experience, LTA has also built two signalised bicycle crossings at Pasir Ris Drive 3 and Drive 1, which see heavier cycling traffic to and from the town centre. These bicycle crossings are clearly delineated from the adjacent pedestrian crossings, and allow cyclists to ride across roads separately from pedestrians without dismounting. Such new cycling infrastructure is a significant step forward to transform Pasir Ris estate into a town for active mobility.
4. To help residents familiarise themselves with the new cycling paths, LTA has produced a brochure on the new cycling network. Residents can obtain a copy at the Community Centres and Residents’ Committee Centres. Cycling ambassadors from the local community will also engage and educate cyclists on safe and responsible cycling.
5. LTA will integrate these networks with the National Parks Board’s (NParks) Park Connector Networks to form an island-wide off-road cycling path network spanning over 700km by 2030. Besides Pasir Ris, LTA is on track to bring dedicated cycling paths to more towns. Works are currently underway in Yishun, and will start in Taman Jurong and Changi-Simei this year. Residents in Yishun can expect their cycling path network to be completed by the second quarter of 2015. The cycling path networks in Taman Jurong and Changi-Simei will be completed by end-2015.
