SINGAPORE: The first phase of works to transform Ang Mo Kio into the country's first walking and cycling town has been completed, the Land Transport Authority (LTA), National Parks Board (NParks) and Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) announced on Saturday (Jul 9).
Phase one includes a 4km-long cycling path that loops around Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1, 3 and 8. This will connect key amenities such as Ang Mo Kio MRT Station, Ang Mo Kio Swimming Complex and AMK Hub, said the agencies in a press release.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, together with Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong and Senior Minister of State for Transport Josephine Teo, were present at the launch ceremony on Saturday.
"Many of our residents ride bicycles - they want to run errands around the neighbourhood, they want to go to the MRT station, and if we can make it more convenient to them, it can lessen the pressure on them to own cars and drive cars, and I think it can make Singapore a car-lite society," said Mr Lee.
Jointly designed and developed by LTA and URA, the walking and cycling town features what are touted to be "pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly features". These include dedicated red-coloured cycling paths to distinguish them from footpaths, rumble strips near bus stops to remind cyclists to slow down, and road crossings with safety features to reduce vehicle speeds and alert motorists to pedestrians and cyclists.
Map boards have also been placed along the paths to help residents navigate the cycling network, the agencies said.
The unused space under the MRT viaduct along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 8 has been turned into a walking and cycling park with a large outdoor terrarium - with plans to build two more terrariums in future. Three MRT columns have also been decorated with artwork and there is a self-service station for cyclists to carry out basic maintenance on their bikes.
There are plans to build a play and fitness area and community gardening plots by 2019.
PHASE TWO TO COMMENCE SHORTLY
For phase two, an additional 16km-long cycling path network - including a 1.6km-long walking and cycling corridor along the MRT viaduct between Yio Chu Kang and Ang Mo Kio MRT stations - will be built.
The second phase will also feature an elevated walking and cycling path that will allow residents to walk and cycle more safely and conveniently to Ang Mo Kio MRT Station. The network will link up to the upcoming Mayflower and Lentor MRT stations on the Thomson-East Coast Line, as well as the cycling trunk route along the North-South Corridor, which offers a direct cycling connection from Ang Mo Kio to the city.
Road space at Ang Mo Kio Street 44 will be reconfigured to be more accommodating to pedestrians and cyclists and give them their own dedicated spaces, the agencies said, adding that secured bike parking facilities will be provided at the upcoming Thomson–East Coast Line stations in Ang Mo Kio to encourage cycling as a transport option to and from the train stations.
Works for the second phase will commence shortly and are expected to be completed in 2019, said the agencies.
"When completed, the 20km-long cycling path network will be the longest in any residential town and all homes in the Ang Mo Kio HDB town will be within a 5-minute walk to the nearest cycling path," they said.
"LTA will continue to work with the community and other agencies to replicate these features in other towns, so that more Singaporeans will be encouraged to take up active modes of transport like walking and cycling."