AN EVALUATION OF SINGAPORE �S CYCLING TOWNS IN SUPPORTING ELDERLY RESIDENTS TO PERFORM INSTRUMENTAL ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING

Abstract

The acceptance of the recommendations made by the Active Mobility Advisory Panel (AMAP) to legalise both the use of bicycles and personal mobility devices (PMDs) on footpaths and shared paths coincides with on-going improvements done to cycling towns under the Sustainable Singapore Blueprint (MEWR & MND, 2015). The current modifications done to the cycling towns however, seems to be geared towards benefiting cyclists using the path network as first and last mile connections to transport nodes. This paper hence aims to address the gap between the accepted recommendations and the improvements in path infrastructure mainly directed at cyclists, in terms of the support for PMD users.

By studying three different cycling towns, namely Tampines, Ang Mo Kio and Punggol, this paper investigates whether the improvements in path infrastructure directed at cyclists support elderly residents- the main PMD users- to perform instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). The study of the three cycling towns is done through detailed observations of three selected neighbourhoods, as well as a collection of feedback from residents. Through this study, this paper recognises the increased accessibility for elderly residents as a result of improved infrastructure directed at cyclists. There are also ample and varied amenities for convenient engagement of IADLs in mature estates. However, greater considerations are needed to make improvements in path infrastructure more inclusive towards PMD users.