Debated in Parliament on 14 Nov 2012.
Ms Faizah Jamal asked the Minister for National Development (a) what enforcement measures are put in place by NParks to ensure that mountain bikers riding at night with bike lights and headlamps through the Bukit Timah Trails do not cause disturbance to nearby residents and wildlife; and (b) whether there is a need for stricter measures and enforcement in view of the sport's growing popularity and, if so, what are these measures.
Page: 1307
The Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is a gazetted nature reserve. Mountain biking is only allowed at one designated trail which hugs the perimeter of the nature reserve. This trail does not run through the core conservation areas where the richest biodiversity resides. Other trails within the nature reserve are meant for walking, hiking and jogging, but not cycling.
The National Parks Board (NParks) has put up "No Cycling" signs at various parts of the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve to inform the public on trails where cycling is prohibited. Enforcement action in the form of summons is taken against those who do so.
To encourage responsible cycling behaviour along the designated trail, NParks works closely with the mountain biking community to educate cyclists on proper etiquette when cycling on the designated trail. This includes the proper use of lights and headlamps at night for safety reasons, and taking care not to shine in the direction of the neighbouring residences and the core of the nature reserve.
NParks is monitoring the night cycling activity at the designated trail, but see no need to impose stricter measures for night cycling at this juncture.
Page: 1307
PAPERCUTS