Expansion of National Cycling Plan

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Transport (Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim) (for the Minister for Transport): Mdm Speaker, we have completed cycling path networks in four towns, namely, Tampines, Sembawang, Pasir Ris and Yishun, and we will do so in 11 more towns in the next five years. We are on track to have a comprehensive cycling path network in every Housing and Development Board (HDB) town that will be integrated with Park Connector Networks to form an islandwide, off-road cycling path network spanning over 700 kilometres. In addition, where we can, we are linking up existing cycling path networks to connect to the city. These include linking Alexandra Canal Linear Park and Ulu Pandan Park Connector in the west and linking Geylang Park Connector to a future Park Connector along Sims Avenue in the east.

Besides building cycling infrastructure, it is indeed equally important to develop a clear and consistent set of rules and norms for safe and responsible cycling conduct. We have recently formed the Active Mobility Advisory Panel comprising 14 representatives from key stakeholder groups, such as seniors, youth, grassroots leaders, cyclists, motorists and users of personal mobility devices, and this is chaired by me. The advisory panel plans to propose a set of rules and norms by the second quarter of 2016.

The Singapore Road Safety Council and the Land Transport Authority (LTA) will jointly develop the national voluntary cyclist education programme based on the revised rules and norms. The programme should be ready by next year.

Madam, I understand that it will take time for the cycling network to be completed and for the advisory panel to complete its report by next year. But in the interim, would the Parliamentary Secretary agree that there is an increasing danger of conflict between cyclists and pedestrians on footways as more cyclists go on footways and that there is a need to address this issue in an urgent way? I would like to ask the Parliamentary Secretary three supplementary questions.

First, in the interim, while waiting for the advisory panel to present its report in the second quarter next year, are there any plans by LTA to ensure that footways remain safe for pedestrians and that they have right of way even as cyclists continue cycling on footways, as it is not being enforced right now?

Second, while the rules and norms on cycling on footways and pedestrian crossings are being worked out, how will LTA ensure that safe cycling is being observed? What guidelines can cyclists follow on footpaths in the interim? Can the Parliamentary Secretary consider having interim guidelines so that, in the meantime, the conflict between pedestrians and

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cyclists will not escalate to the point where negative stereotypes and attitudes towards cyclists will harden and make it more difficult for the Government to promote cycling as a sustainable mode of transport?

Finally, while it takes time to build a cycling network with segregated cycle paths, can I ask the Parliamentary Secretary to look into how we can educate motorists to look out for cyclists on roads, as more cyclists will also go on roads, and also educate motorists that cyclists have a right to be on the road?

Madam, I thank the Member for the supplementary questions. I see that the first and second supplementary questions are similar in terms of asking for interim measures. Although we will only share the new rules and norms next year, I want to assure the Member and also other Members here that we will still continue to enforce and educate the public about safe cycling, and we will also engage the motorists.

We will take a holistic approach in engaging road users. Our roads are not only for cyclists, they are for all road users. At times, we will engage them together to make them understand one another, the needs of all the different users. Over the years, and especially in areas where we have completed the cycling paths, we have observed an increase in terms of the harmonious use of these spaces. Residents are able to use this space well together, share them and, at the same time, have adequate space to move about, which enhances their mobility. We want to assure the Member that we are currently working, and have been working, together with the community, to see where the spots are where we need to enhance our enforcement. And where we have done so, certain areas have improved; in other areas, we can do better, and we will do so.

With regard to the Member's third question, as I mentioned earlier, we take a holistic view. Even motorists today, when they take the Highway Code, are informed about the existence of cyclists. They are also informed about how to make sure that all road users are able to use the road harmoniously.

So, at the end of the day, road safety is a shared responsibility. It is not only to be done more by the cyclists, pedestrians or motorists. All of us here in this House, as well as fellow Singaporeans, have a role to play. With each of us playing our part, I am confident that, over time, we will be able to develop a much better road-use culture in Singapore.

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