New study to look into allowing cyclists on footpaths
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SINGAPORE: Cyclists in Tampines may soon be able to ride on footpaths legally, depending on the results of a study that will be conducted at the end of this month.
Other towns may also join in the ride if things go well.
The Traffic Police said having cyclists on footpaths is one way of lowering the number of road accidents.
James Ho, who rides his bicycle daily to do grocery shopping and to get to the MRT station, agreed with the insight.
He said: "On the roads, you'll have to worry about cars."
Tampines is chosen for the study because many of its residents ride bicycles and use it to get to places like the MRT station.
During the pilot study, cyclists can use the footpaths but must give way to pedestrians.
They need to ride on the left side of the footpath and get off when there are too many people using the same space.
Separately, the GRC wants to link up many parts of the town for cyclists in a five-year plan.
It formed a committee to look into the matter two years ago.
And although the pilot programme is for cyclists, pedestrians are not left out.
Irene Ng, MP of Tampines GRC, said: "It should be safer for pedestrians now. Without this pilot study, we could not have gone out with our cycling wardens and our promotion material to teach cyclists how to cycle."
The idea was hatched when the issue of riding on footpaths was raised in parliament two years ago.
The criteria to allow cyclists on footpaths includes the attitudes and behaviour of cyclists and pedestrians, accidents on footpaths and feedback from organisations in the GRC.
The study ends at the end of May 2008 and findings will be evaluated then. -
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Press Release On
The Cycling On Footways Study In Tampines Town
From 27 May 2007 To 30 May 2008
Jointly Issued By Tripartite Committee Of LTA, TP & Tampines GROs
http://app.lta.gov.sg/corp_press_content.asp?start=1774 -
I look forward to the good news, my bike is rotting at home.
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This should have been done more than 10 years ago. Bloody hell.
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Y cyclist not allowed on footpath in the 1st place...? Got anyone died kena langgar by bicycle b4...?
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Laggar by bicycle before, but die, no.Originally posted by MohamedF:Y cyclist not allowed on footpath in the 1st place...? Got anyone died kena langgar by bicycle b4...?
But my bike died lor... break into 2
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Monday May 28, 2:17 PM
'Cycling on Footways' launched in Tampines
SINGAPORE : A year-long "Cycling on Footways" study was launched in Tampines on Sunday.
The initiative was launched in conjunction with the Tampines Town Day.
The "Cycling on Footways" study aims to see if Singaporeans are ready to share the footways - between pedestrians and cyclists.
Concerns had been raised about the feasibility of such a plan.
But the authorities say a committee involving the Land Transport Authority, Traffic Police and grassroots organisations in Tampines will listen to all feedback before deciding to implement it islandwide.
Mr Mah Bow Tan, National Development Minister and MP for Tampines GRC, said: "This feedback will help the tripartite committee improve the scheme. For example, if they say in certain areas the footpaths are a bit too narrow, then let's see whether we can expand the footpath a little bit."
Some 80 cycle wardens have been appointed to assist in the study so far. The plan is to have 150 cycle wardens eventually.
Potential cycle wardens will have to attend a half-day course to learn skills like how to wear a helmet properly and dismount. They will be placed around Tampines hotspots like schools and during peak hours.
Most residents are receptive to the initiative.
"It's a matter of public education. It's a social responsibility of everybody living in Tampines. If it is a once-off, it takes a lot more to inculcate this practice into the residents."
"By sample studies you can see how it works, then you can proceed on it."
Besides the footways initiative, Tampines residents also celebrated their town day with a host of other activities to bring residents closer as a community.
They were also given an update on the town's barrier-free access plans. - CNA/de