The 8.8 km-long network of cyclist path in Punggol, which was originally slated for completion in the first quarter of next year, has been completed, several months ahead of schedule.
Guest-of-Honour, Mr Teo Chee Hean, Deputy Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security, and Member of Parliament for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, launched the completed network on Sunday afternoon. He was accompanied by Mr Ng Chee Meng, Acting Minister for Education (Schools) and Senior Minister of State for Transport, and Member of Parliament for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, as well as Dr Janil Puthucheary and Ms Sun Xueling, Members of Parliament to Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC.
The Punggol Town cycling path network, which was planned in consultation with the Housing & Development Board, is said to allow residents to cycle safely from their homes to key public transport nodes such as the MRT and LRT stations, as well as nearby amenities such as Waterway Point, Punggol Safra and Punggol 21 Community Centre.
Cyclists can also use the cycling path network and the park connector to cycle seamlessly to Sengkang. When the first phase of the Round Island Route is completed, cyclists will also be able to cycle from Punggol to Pasir Ris, Changi, and East Coast Park, before reaching Gardens by the Bay East.
Punggol is the seventh cycling town launched, after Sembawang, Tampines, Pasir Ris, Yishun, Changi and Taman Jurong.
Mr Ng said, “Cyclists and users of personal mobility devices must be considerate of pedestrians at all times in order for us to share our limited space safely.”
In addition, there will be facilities for bicycle parking at Punggol MRT station. Parking facilities at LRT stations and residential blocks in Punggol will also be enhanced, the Housing Development Board (HDB) will be adding 2,400 dual bicycle racks at HDB blocks.
Mr Ng said, the Active Mobility Patrol Scheme – where volunteers will conduct patrols and promote a sharing culture – will be introduced in the constituency.
He also informed that a program on safe cycling will be rolled out progressively at community centres, schools, and migrant worker dormitories by next year.
The program will teach:
- Safe cycling practices,
- The proper use of cycling infrastructure, and
- The new rules and code of conduct for cycling.
