DESIGN OF CYCLE SPACES FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SHORT DISTANCE BIKE SHARING IN SINGAPORE

Abstract

Urban mobility in Singapore has reached a critical juncture. With the growing population, the government of Singapore has focussed on using public transport to mobilise people. However, the MRT trains and buses are reaching its capacities and it is becoming increasingly inconvenient to use public transport. At such a time, bicycling provides a great opportunity to commute in the city especially over short distances for which one does not seek the inconveniences of public transport. Using a bike sharing system, this bicycling opportunity can be integrated into the public transportation system freeing people of the hassle to own a bicycle. However, spaces for bicycling in Singapore need to re-examined if bicycling or bike sharing needs to be implemented. To encourage people to bicycle, spaces for bicycling must be designed and planned to make it convenient to bicycle. This document does a thorough analysis of the design and policy provision and for bicycles in Singapore, and by looking at examples of successful bicycling cities and infrastructure, it attempts to recommend strategies that Singapore can implement to kick-off short distance bike sharing in Singapore. A good design strategy will thus not only help alleviate problems with transportation in Singapore today, but also help augment and strengthen the public transportation system. Moreover, implementing short distance bike sharing in Singapore through good thoughtful design and policies will not only improve mobility in Singapore, but also improve social lifestyles through greater community bonding and interaction opportunities.