TO make it easier for people to take public transport, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) will provide more and better bicycle parking facilities around MRT stations and bus interchanges in the housing estates.
This initiative will be progressively implemented, starting with towns where demand for bicycle parking facilities outstrips supply.
LTA will carry out a one-year pilot in 2009 in Pasir Ris, Tampines and Yishun, to gather feedback and better understand the needs of the cyclists, before extending it to other MRT stations and bus interchanges.
Also, from next month, cyclists will be allowed to carry their foldable bicycles on-board our buses and trains on a trial basis during off-peak periods. LTA will impose size restrictions and other conditions to ensure that the safety and comfort of other commuters are not compromised.
Transport Minister Raymond Lim gave these details in a written answer on Friday to a question from Tampines GRC MP Irene Ng who had asked for plans to integrate the use of bicycles into urban transport planning as part of the land transport policy review.
Mr Lim agreed that there is a growing interest in cycling, with more people cycling for recreation, or to get around the neighbourhood.
As such, cycling was very much a part of the Land Transport Review, he said.
'In the review, we recognise that cycling is a transport option that can link commuters to major transport nodes such as our train stations and bus interchanges, making it easier for people to take public transport,' he said.
Given Singapore's land constraints, Mr Lim said the government will not be able to provide a comprehensive network of dedicated cycling tracks. Instead, it will leverage on NParks' nation-wide Park Connectors Network to bring cyclists to transport nodes. Where there are short gaps between the park connectors and transport nodes, LTA will work with the other agencies to close these gaps, he added.
He said in May last year, the Traffic Police and LTA, together with the Tampines Grassroot Organisations, started a one-year trial to allow cycling on pedestrian footways in Tampines. The outcome of the trial and the feedback gathered will also help his ministry determine how best to meet the needs of cyclists and pedestrians within our land constraints.
