| Summary: | Cycling has been mainly regarded as a form of reaction in Singapore for many years, limited to bicycle towns, such as Pasir Ris and Tampines, and also parks. In recent years, the Singapore Government have been promoting cycling as a form of transport to and fro various transport nodes in Singapore. This leads to a rise in interest in cycling as forms of reaction, transportation and also exercise.
More bicycle facilities, such as bicycle lanes and racks, are being implemented to cope with the rising demand from cyclists. The Park Connector (PCN) have expanded greatly and more extensively in recent years, allowing cyclists to reach various parts of Singapore more easily than before. However, as cycling becomes more popular, more conflicts started to arise between cyclists and other road users. For the past year, several traffic accidents have been gathering attention by the general public, resulting in dissatisfaction among Singaporeans regarding the lack of proper facilities for cyclists of all ages.
Many accidents occur at road crossings, which have yet to cater to the needs and safety of the cyclists using them, posing as a danger to all road users. There are only a few bicycle crossings in Singapore, in which the effectiveness have yet to be evaluated. To improve on the existing and also future cycling facilities, the bicycle crossings in Singapore is analysed and the needs of cyclists are also researched. Overseas case studies in United Kingdom, Netherlands, United States of America and Japan were explored to understand and to gain better insights on the bicycle crossings and other cycling facilities, infrastructures and programmes.
Surveys were carried out, in the form of questionnaires, at both bicycle-cum-pedestrian crossings and pedestrian-only crossings of similar geographic localities, to investigate the actions and relevant knowledge of cyclists at the crossings. Data were also extracted from videos taken of the crossings, to further understand the behaviour and actions of both cyclists and pedestrians and to further enhance the results obtained from the survey. A before-and-after study, using both survey and data extraction from video, was also carried out by directly comparing a newly implemented bicycle-cum-pedestrian crossing with its former pedestrian crossing. All the results and data obtained were analysed to determine the effectiveness and suitability of the bicycle-cum-pedestrian crossing and how it can be further improved, and also understand the needs of the cyclists.
The results obtained from both the survey and video analysis showed that the effectiveness of the bicycle-cum-pedestrian was compromised, as there were many pedestrians and cyclists who do not follow the regulations of the crossings. 91% of the interviewees using the bicycle-cum-pedestrian crossings at Tampines Avenue 3 and Simei Street 1 stated that they normally would follow the regulations and use the designated bicycle crossing, while the data extraction of the videos showed that 70% of the cyclists do so correctly. In the before-and-after study, 87% of the interviewees using the new bicycle-cum-crossing at Tampines Avenue 4 stated that they would follow the regulations, whereas the data extracted from the videos showed that only 56% cycle only on the bicycle crossing to cross the road. In addition, only 58% of the interviewees felt that there was somewhat a certain extent of improvement after the implementation, out of which 36% felt that it was due to the entire crossing being wider and more spacious, and not due to the bicycle crossing. However this may be because the bicycle-cum-pedestrian crossing at Tampines Avenue 4 was newly implemented right before the survey and video taking was carried out at that location.
With the results and findings obtained, measures and solutions can be suggested to further improve the bicycle-cum-pedestrian crossing. To minimise the problems faced regarding the bicycle-cum-pedestrian crossings, information should be provided and be easily accessible to all road users to increase awareness. Also, harmony and respect among all road users should also be taught and encouraged via campaigns, education and many more. The design and infrastructure of the bicycle facilities should also be looked into, taking into reference those of other countries, so as to ensure the effectiveness and safety of the signalised bicycle-cum-pedestrian crossing in Singapore.
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