LTA | Coming to Your 'Hood: Friendly Streets

Coming to Your 'Hood: Friendly Streets

Posted on | 31 Jan 2025

The streets are becoming friendlier to pedestrians and cyclists, with tweaks that make for happy outings. But what exactly are Friendly Streets? We give you the lowdown on what’s coming to your town.

Image of pedestrians and motorist at a Friendly Streets

It’s another day in the neighbourhood. The kids are on their way to school a couple of blocks away; grandma is off to the nearby market and grandpa is headed to the kopitiam across the road. Walking, cycling or wheeling a wheelchair, there is no stress—traffic on the roads is calm and the routes are a doddle to navigate.

Welcome to your friendly neighbourhood streets, fondly known as Friendly Streets, which make walking and cycling to the amenities in your neighbourhood safer, more convenient and comfortable.

The streets are designed to be friendly to all, as our community have had a say in how they should be. It is fostering the good ol’ kampung spirit and enabling an inclusive and gracious society.

Fun Fact

Friendly Streets are tailored for their locales. Friendly features in different precincts may not be the same as they cater to the diverse needs of the neighbourhood. Being able to walk or cycle around your neighbourhood with peace of mind and convenience all adds to a comforting sense of home.

Need more crossing points from block to bus stop? More time for aunty to cross at the traffic lights? Wider pavements so you can comfortably share your path while pushing the baby stroller? LTA is on it!

You have heard about some of the more well-established efforts, for sure.

Do you know these?

1. Silver Zones

Bright yellow and blue signposts mark the gateways to this zone where seniors can feel safer moving about (no, they don’t read “Your grandfather’s road”). Look out for the yellow rumble strips and speed markings on the floor, too. Roads around amenities like hawker centres and markets include considerate touches for the elderly, as well.

You’ll like the additional barrier-free crossing points, extended green man time and staggered crossings that offer a refuge between lanes! Other thoughtful details include anti-slip covers on drains and bus stop benches with arm rests.

Read: Seniors First: 7 things that make Silver Zones road safety havens

2. School Zones

School Zone signs, road markings and a red tarmac tell you you’re near a school. During the hours when kids head to or leave school, a reduced speed limit applies. Lights will then flash so that drivers will know to be extra careful with the little ones out and about.

3. Road Repurposing

Image of before and after a road repurposing project features pedestrian-only paths

Repurposed space from roads – we’re talking wider footpaths, dedicated cycling paths, bus lanes, or pedestrianised streets for community uses, perhaps! – not only improve accessibility to key places, but also open up opportunities for more neighbourly interaction. Festive trade fairs and pasar malams, anyone? Strolling from point to point is safe and comfortable, with greenery and rest stops that make it all the more pleasant.

These are great, but we’ve taken things up a notch! In 2023, the Friendly Streets initiative was piloted in five towns – Ang Mo Kio, Bukit Batok West, Tampines, Toa Payoh and West Coast – to augment these measures.

Here are some of our favourite facets, which you’re bound to appreciate too:

Icon of Friendly Streets feature - kerbless crossing

Friendly Streets are more inclusive

Families with young children, seniors and those with disabilities will find it easier to get around. Enjoy barrier-free, hassle-free routes: kerbless crossings, signalised pedestrian crossings with shorter waiting times and longer Green Man crossing time allow everyone to get from one side to the other with less stress. You will find wider pavements that make it easier to move across streets too.

Icon of Friendly Streets feature - Traffic Calming Markings

Friendly Streets are safer

Traffic calming measures (like reduced speed limits and humps), as well as visual cues like a green road surface with markings mean vehicles travel slower and have more time to react to those on foot. Raised zebra crossings, for example, help make people going across a road more visible to motorists.

This gives our children and seniors ease of mind as they make their way around the neighbourhood. Tactile tiles remind pedestrians, especially those with visual impairments, to stay vigilant while using kerbless crossings.

Icon of Friendly Streets feature - Green Man crossing

Friendly Streets are more convenient

Signalised crossings with pedestrian priority (shorter waiting times!) make you feel like a VIP, especially with the markings that prompt motorists to slow down for you. There’s no need to scurry across either, as crossing times are extended. You’ll be able to get around the neighbourhood much more easily, with barrier-free crossing points along your route to your destination in your neighbourhood too.

Icon of Friendly Streets feature - hump crossing at Friendly Streets

Friendly Streets are specially tailored to meet different needs of each area

Configured according to how residents use them, Friendly Streets take into account places of interest in the area.

Icon of Friendly Streets feature - Friendly Streets road signage

Friendly Streets are welcoming

Cheerful, smiley signage and green road surfaces remind motorists and pedestrians to look out for one another, nurturing a more gracious society. Get into the spirit and extend a friendly smile to your neighbours!

The strong support received for the five pilots has encouraged us to expand this initiative to more towns, with works commencing for the next 10 locations this year: Bedok, Buangkok, Bukit Panjang, Choa Chu Kang, Holland/Buona Vista, Jurong East, Pek Kio, Punggol, Sembawang and Tiong Bahru/Havelock.

All towns will host Friendly Streets by 2030, so keep a look out!

Did You Know: Rail Line Fun Facts

Did You Know: Rail Line Fun Facts

Spot a Friendly Street!

Friendly Streets have a distinctive feel that will put a smile on your face, but you’ll know for sure you’re in one by the happy logo of a smiling sun. Slow down and smile if you see one!