Singapore’s public transport system is one of the most cost-efficient transport systems in the world. And it’s about to get better.
The Bicycle-Sharing Scheme as we know it is a service in which individuals can borrow publicly-owned bicycles as a form of transportation, to get from point A to point B. Bicycle-sharing began in Europe, in 1965, whereby these schemes were either government-funded or community-funded. Today, government-funded Bicycle-Sharing Schemes are increasingly introduced in an initiative to reduce our carbon footprint, especially within satellite cities given the dense population across a small land area.
Singapore’s public transport system, regardless of whether you love it or hate it, is one of the most cost-efficient transport systems in the world. Moreover, the expansion and optimization of the Singapore public transport system has always been a priority in local affairs, bolstered by a political climate which disincentives private-car ownership and supported through major government-funded expansion projects such as the Downtown Line. With the government still funding an expansion of the already-extensive-200km long Park Connector Network (PCN), it is no surprise that plans have been revealed for our very own island-wide Bicycle-Sharing Scheme.
Sentosa 2018
On 24 January 2017, a Sentosa Development Corporation spokesperson revealed that a fleet of bicycles will be made available to the public for rent and return, to which they will be stationed at an unmanned docking station. In addition, Sentosa wishes to utilize contactless forms of payment such as credit or debit cards at these unmanned docking station, paving way for a smarter urban city. The first phase of the project will be completed by the first quarter of 2018; unmanned docking stations built along the beach areas, to which in the second phase, the scheme will be expanded to other areas such as Sentosa Cove, Imbiah and even the Hotels. Lastly, the third phase targets the bridging of the existing scheme on Sentosa with mainland Singapore, across Harbourfront. Certainly, this would improve Sentosa’s connectivity to the nationwide Park Connector Network (PCN) and ultimately enable the public to go on paved-cycling trips all over Singapore.
Jurong Lake District 2017
On 28 July 2016, the Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for Transport, Mr Khaw Boon Wan, revealed a pilot program for a self-service Bicycle-Sharing Scheme in the Jurong Lake District (JLD) from the end of 2017. The scheme will involve over 100 docking stations and over 1000 bicycles, in which tenderers are enabled to bid to operate similar schemes in the Marina Bay/City Centre region as well as in Tampines and Pasir Ris. The successful tender in the tender process will be allowed to build, own and operate the Bicycle-Sharing Scheme in JLD for over 8 years. The tenderer will also be allowed to tender for the Marina Bay/City Centre, Tampines and Pasir Ris tender schemes as well. All in all, if the pilot succeeds and extends towards the 3 other mentioned areas, there will be approximately 2,300 bicycles and 230 docking stations in total across all 3 areas.
The Bicycle-Sharing Scheme in JLD aims to provide the public with 24/7 access to a bicycle, 7 days a week, to promote green and active alternative transport options. Subsequently, it was mentioned that under the National Cycling Plan, over 700km of cycling paths will be provided across the island to complement the entire green and active transport effort by 2030.
The pattern which the Bicycle-Sharing Scheme is creating is not foreign to how the Singapore government plans its policies. Being a country with scarce natural resources, we are always identifying the latest trends around the world, racing to supply the relevant infrastructure and manpower to facilitate these trends and eventually manifest the demand for such services. With the Bicycle-Sharing Scheme rolling out very soon, I personally believe that the cycling community in Singapore would grow exponentially. This scheme would not only benefit the demographically-dominant silver generation in terms of helping them maintain an active lifestyle, it also serves to provide healthier alternative forms of entertainment for all age groups.
I believe that children growing up in the current cloud era should appreciate and rejoice in the nation-wide effort to provide the massive infrastructure and support for an activity that is beneficial to one’s health. I sure know I do, and in 50 years’ time, I bet I would be doubly appreciative of such a meaningful initiative.
