LET'S CYCLE! A MULTI-SCALE APPROACH TO CYCLING IN SINGAPORE

Abstract

The cycling rate has been low in Singapore, despite the many benefits that cycling brings. However, encouraging and implementing cycling has not been easy, with many challenges to address. New policies and strategies have aimed to encourage cycling for short trips such as the 20-Minutes town in the Land Transport Authority (LTA) Land Transport Master Plan 2040 (LTMP 2040), but the opportunities for longer cycling journeys have not been explored.

Encouraging and improving the cycling experience relies on a system of parts that are dependent on one another across multiple scales. Architecture in itself will not be holistic and effective to achieve this goal. From the individual level to the national scale, each element plays an important role in the cycling network. Architecture plays a supportive role to host a series of programs and activities that service and support the cycling network. The objective of this thesis is then to investigate the fundamental reasons for low cycling rates that influence one’s choice of cycling.

Traveling time is one of the main deciding factors that influence one’s choice of cycling. This thesis aims to bridge the long travel time and distances that cyclists have to take by the implementation and integration of the bicycle-buses into the existing transport network. Through a series of multi-scale strategies, the thesis proposes a concept outline to promote cycling as an alternative transport mode, by allowing for a more viable and convenient traveling method for cyclists. It is by no means to replace existing motor vehicles or public transportation, but rather to complement and serve alongside other modes of transportation. The benefits of cycling can then be enjoyed by the community, improve our overall well-being and our living environment and towards to more sustainable future.

The outline processes to achieving this goal can be referenced and serve as guidance to prototype and eventually develop cycling nodes that support the multi-scale approach to improving the cycling experience in Singapore.