Additional S$1 billion to encourage "Walk, Cycle, Ride"
07 Mar 2024|258 views
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) will step up efforts to encourage Walk, Cycle, Ride journeys by making improvements to the 'Friendly Streets' initiative and first-and-last-mile connectivity. Both initiatives, which will help to achieve the objectives of the Age Well Programme, will receive an additional S$1 billion budget over the next decade.
Age Well is a nationwide programme led by the Ministry of Health (MOH), Ministry of National Development (MND) and Ministry of Transport (MOT) to support seniors to age well in their homes and their communities.
Collectively, LTA expects the enhanced initiatives to bring about safer, more inclusive public spaces, and encourage active and sustainable modes of transport.
Expanding 'Friendly Streets'
First announced at the MOT Committee of Supply Debate (COS) in 2023, 'Friendly Streets' was piloted in five estates - Ang Mo Kio, Bukit Batok West, Tampines, Toa Payoh and West Coast - at areas with high pedestrian flow and that are in close proximity to key amenities.
Its aim is to make walking and cycling safer, more inclusive and comfortable for the residents.
Works have begun at Ang Mo Kio, Bukit Batok West and Tampines, and works for the remaining pilot locations will commence in the coming months, said LTA. By 2030, the authority hopes to expand this initiative to all HDB towns. Private estates with high-activity areas and key amenities nearby will also receive 'Friendly Streets' in time to come.
10 more towns will benefit from the initiative: Bedok, Buangkok, Bukit Panjang, Choa Chu Kang, Holland/Buona Vista, Jurong East, Pek Kio, Punggol, Sembawang and Tiong Bahru/Havelock. LTA said it will engage the community and relevant stakeholders in these towns later this year, to determine the specific locations and 'Friendly Streets' features to be implemented.
Enhancing first-and-last-mile connectivity
Core to LTA's larger plan of bridging first-and-last-mile connectivity is improving commuter infrastructure. This will better barrier-free access and make the walk to public transport nodes more convenient and comfortable.
The authority hopes that this improved access to amenities and public transport nodes will encourage residents - especially seniors - to lead a more active lifestyle and stay socially connected.
The enhancements will include:
- Upgrading and implementing senior-friendly features at more bus stops, such as wheelchair accessibility
- Increasing the number of covered linkways that connect MRT stations to Friendly Streets and some key amenities largely within an 800-metre radius
- Adding lifts to more overhead bridges, especially those near public transport nodes and healthcare institutions, to benefit a higher expected number of seniors and commuters with mobility challenges. Currently, 87 existing pedestrian overhead bridges are equipped with lifts.
New road repurposing projects at Zion Road and Sims Place
Road repurposing efforts will continue to enhance the Walk, Cycle, Ride experience, and facilitate smoother connections between surrounding amenities. These will take the form of road repurposing projects at Zion Road and Sims Place, slated to start later this year and estimated for completion in 2026.
Two of the five to six road lanes along Zion Road will be repurposed to feature a widened footpath, and a new cycling path that connects Zion Road to Alexandra Park Connector. This also opens up the opportunity to expand the bus shelter opposite Great World City, and offer sheltered connectivity for commuters to Zion Riverside Food Centre.
Additionally, the authority plans to repurpose a 300-metre road fronting the Sims Vista Market and Food Centre from four road lanes to two lanes. It said this enhancement will make it safer and more convenient for "the many pedestrians" crossing between Block 53 and Sims Vista Market and Food Centre.
With the reduction of road space, there will be scope for a widened footpath and a new cycling path. LTA will also provide sheltered connectivity across Sims Place for residents making their way to and from the market and food centre.
Last year, LTA announced plans to pedestrianise an 80-metre-long stretch of road along Choa Chu Kang Terrace and an 18-metre long stretch at Yung Sheng Road was announced. It expects these enhancements to be completed by the end of 2024.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) will step up efforts to encourage Walk, Cycle, Ride journeys by making improvements to the 'Friendly Streets' initiative and first-and-last-mile connectivity. Both initiatives, which will help to achieve the objectives of the Age Well Programme, will receive an additional S$1 billion budget over the next decade.
Age Well is a nationwide programme led by the Ministry of Health (MOH), Ministry of National Development (MND) and Ministry of Transport (MOT) to support seniors to age well in their homes and their communities.
Collectively, LTA expects the enhanced initiatives to bring about safer, more inclusive public spaces, and encourage active and sustainable modes of transport.
Expanding 'Friendly Streets'
First announced at the MOT Committee of Supply Debate (COS) in 2023, 'Friendly Streets' was piloted in five estates - Ang Mo Kio, Bukit Batok West, Tampines, Toa Payoh and West Coast - at areas with high pedestrian flow and that are in close proximity to key amenities.
Its aim is to make walking and cycling safer, more inclusive and comfortable for the residents.
Works have begun at Ang Mo Kio, Bukit Batok West and Tampines, and works for the remaining pilot locations will commence in the coming months, said LTA. By 2030, the authority hopes to expand this initiative to all HDB towns. Private estates with high-activity areas and key amenities nearby will also receive 'Friendly Streets' in time to come.
10 more towns will benefit from the initiative: Bedok, Buangkok, Bukit Panjang, Choa Chu Kang, Holland/Buona Vista, Jurong East, Pek Kio, Punggol, Sembawang and Tiong Bahru/Havelock. LTA said it will engage the community and relevant stakeholders in these towns later this year, to determine the specific locations and 'Friendly Streets' features to be implemented.
Enhancing first-and-last-mile connectivity
Core to LTA's larger plan of bridging first-and-last-mile connectivity is improving commuter infrastructure. This will better barrier-free access and make the walk to public transport nodes more convenient and comfortable.
The authority hopes that this improved access to amenities and public transport nodes will encourage residents - especially seniors - to lead a more active lifestyle and stay socially connected.
The enhancements will include:
- Upgrading and implementing senior-friendly features at more bus stops, such as wheelchair accessibility
- Increasing the number of covered linkways that connect MRT stations to Friendly Streets and some key amenities largely within an 800-metre radius
- Adding lifts to more overhead bridges, especially those near public transport nodes and healthcare institutions, to benefit a higher expected number of seniors and commuters with mobility challenges. Currently, 87 existing pedestrian overhead bridges are equipped with lifts.
New road repurposing projects at Zion Road and Sims Place
Road repurposing efforts will continue to enhance the Walk, Cycle, Ride experience, and facilitate smoother connections between surrounding amenities. These will take the form of road repurposing projects at Zion Road and Sims Place, slated to start later this year and estimated for completion in 2026.
Two of the five to six road lanes along Zion Road will be repurposed to feature a widened footpath, and a new cycling path that connects Zion Road to Alexandra Park Connector. This also opens up the opportunity to expand the bus shelter opposite Great World City, and offer sheltered connectivity for commuters to Zion Riverside Food Centre.
Additionally, the authority plans to repurpose a 300-metre road fronting the Sims Vista Market and Food Centre from four road lanes to two lanes. It said this enhancement will make it safer and more convenient for "the many pedestrians" crossing between Block 53 and Sims Vista Market and Food Centre.
With the reduction of road space, there will be scope for a widened footpath and a new cycling path. LTA will also provide sheltered connectivity across Sims Place for residents making their way to and from the market and food centre.
Last year, LTA announced plans to pedestrianise an 80-metre-long stretch of road along Choa Chu Kang Terrace and an 18-metre long stretch at Yung Sheng Road was announced. It expects these enhancements to be completed by the end of 2024.
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