New cycling paths to be built in 7 towns in Singapore
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has recently announced that new cycling paths will be built in seven towns of Singapore under the next phase of its Island wide Cycling Network (ICN) programme. The new cycling paths will be built in Geylang, Hougang, Kaki Bukit, Marine Parade, Potong Pasir, Sengkang, and Serangoon.
LTA’s Islandwide Cycling Network programme was unveiled in 2020. It aims to expand the country’s cycling path network to span about 1,300km by 2030. LTA has recently completed more than 30km of cycling paths in Ang Mo Kio, Bishan, the Central Business District (CBD), Taman Jurong, Tampines, and Toa Payoh.Works are currently in progress at Bishan, Bukit Panjang, Choa Chu Kang, Toa Payoh, and Woodlands.
LTA has called for a tender for the construction of the new cycling paths. Once completed, residents in these 7 towns of Singapore will have easier access to key amenities such as transport nodes, neighbourhood centres, and schools.
When the cycling network is expanded by 2030, 8 in 10 housing development board (HDB) residents will be within minutes of their nearest cycling path network. To support active commutes, LTA is also implementing supporting infrastructure such as bicycle parking facilities. There are currently 254,000 bicycle parking spaces across the island and we will be providing 3,000 more bicycle parking lots at MRT stations by 2025. Other supporting infrastructure such as bicycle crossings, wheeling ramps, and map boards will also be implemented.
Not just LTA, but rail operators like SMRT Corporation are also working with stakeholders to provide commuters and communities with a sustainable, reliable, and comfortable travel experience. Commenting on SMRT’s sustainability efforts, SMRT CEO, Ngien Hoon Ping, said: “Recognising that sustainability can also become a source of lasting competitive advantage and value creation, we reimagined the business of electric Mobility as a Service (eMaaS) by establishing the eMaaS end-to-end-solution and Ecosystem.” Ngien Hoon Ping further added: “This ecosystem serves to help businesses decarbonise, digitalise and be data-driven. In addition, SMRT Buses and Land Transport Authority (LTA) rolled out 11 electric buses powered by pantograph chargers.”
SMRT Chairman, Seah Moon Ming, said: “We are on track to electrify our entire taxi fleet by 2026, starting with the launch of our first batch of MG5 electric taxis in August 2021. A fully electric taxi fleet will reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by about 15,000 tonnes of CO2 per year. We aim to replace all our operational ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) vehicles with greener electric vehicles by 2030.”
Conclusion
Over the past two years, LTA has made steady progress toward achieving its sustainability target despite challenges brought on by the pandemic. Apart from the new cycling paths and expansion of the mass rapid transit network, LTA will continue with its education and outreach efforts to foster a safe, responsible and gracious active mobility culture.
