BICYCLE LANES ALONG ROADWAYS

Mr Charles Chong asked the Minister for Communications if his Ministry will consider the construction of bicycle lanes along suitable road-ways.

Mr Mah Bow Tan: As our land is scarce and road space limited, we have to make sure that our road space is optimally utilised. We have thus far only set aside dedicated lanes to scheduled public buses in order to give them priority because buses are a more efficient form of people mover than cars. Even then, bus lanes are only operational during the peak hours and not during other times so that the road space is optimally utilised. We cannot provide for dedicated cycling lanes along public roads because they take up precious road space.

Less than 1% of commuters travel by bicycle to work and back. More people cycle as a recreational activity. This is why bicycle tracks are provided in parks and alongside jogging paths. We have also provided bicycle stands at MRT stations to cater to those who want to cycle between their homes and transport nodes like MRT stations.

If and when cycling becomes more popular in future, we can consider constructing a dedicated network of cycling tracks within housing estates that would provide safe and efficient intra-town travel for residents.