Works to transform Ang Mo Kio into a model walking and cycling town have begun. Phase 1 of the works, which includes a 4km cycling path looping around Ang Mo Kio Avenues 1, 3, and 8, is expected to be completed by the first half of 2016. The remaining works, which feature a 16km-long cycling path network, including a 2.6km-long cycling and walking corridor connecting the MRT viaduct between Yio Chu Kang MRT station and Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, are expected to be mostly completed by 2018. Plans to transform Ang Mo Kio into Singapore’s first model walking and cycling town were first unveiled in December 2014 by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA). A series of community exhibitions and focus group discussions were conducted with Ang Mo Kio residents, whose ideas were incorporated in the design of the network.
Phase 1 of the works will allow cyclists and pedestrians to walk and cycle seamlessly and safely from Ang Mo Kio Swimming Complex along Avenue 1 to Ang Mo Kio MRT station using the dedicated cycling path constructed next to the footpath and under the MRT viaduct.
Mr Chew Men Leong, Chief Executive of LTA, said, “Ang Mo Kio will be the first model walking and cycling town in Singapore, where we will go beyond providing basic walking and cycling infrastructure and test out new concepts and ideas to make the town even more walkable and cyclist-friendly. We want the residents of Ang Mo Kio to own this project together with us, which is why we have actively involved the community in our planning to co-create an exciting set of plans. We hope that this will support a more active lifestyle and truly change the way people move around in their neighbourhood. ”
“This is an important pilot to make Ang Mo Kio town safer and more convenient for both cyclists and pedestrians in their daily commute. The aim is to encourage walking and cycling as alternative modes of green mobility”, said Mr Ng Lang, Chief Executive Officer, URA.
When completed, Ang Mo Kio will have a 20km-long cycling path network, which will be the longest in any residential town. Together with the National Parks Board (NParks), LTA will inject greenery into the space beneath the viaduct where large terrariums will showcase special orchids, uncommon and native forest plants. Butterfly-attracting plants will also be planted, and students and residents can play their part to keep the area green and vibrant by tending to the community gardens. Fitness stations and play equipment will also be built for residents’ use.
Cycling paths in Ang Mo Kio will be marked out in red to make them more distinguishable. Pedestrian priority zones will be created in areas where pedestrians and cyclists often come into contact with each other, such as behind bus stops. These pedestrian priority zones will include rumble strips to slow cyclists down to a safe speed, and contrast markings to help pedestrians and cyclists keep to their side of the path.
The safety of traffic junctions and informal crossings will be enhanced with road features to slow motorists down. Motorists will be also alerted to the presence of pedestrians and cyclists. Where feasible, the use of slip roads will be reduced.
Finally, pedestrians and cyclists will be able to find their way more easily within the town, with new easy-to-read mapboards highlighting the key amenities and transport nodes within walking and cycling distance. Totem boards with speed check functions will also be installed at strategic locations to allow cyclists check their speeds.
LTA will continue to work with URA, NParks, and the Housing Development Board (HDB) to explore how these features can be extended to other towns, so that more Singaporeans will be encouraged to take up active modes of transport like walking and cycling. Please refer to the Annex [PDF, 1.15MB] for artist’s impressions of the new features.