Singapore ramps up bicycle parking to combat walkway obstructions

Singapore's Land Transport Authority (LTA) is intensifying efforts to tackle the persistent issue of bicycles obstructing walkways and station entrances by planning to increase dedicated parking spaces at transport nodes. This initiative aims to provide more orderly options for cyclists and improve pedestrian flow around MRT stations and bus interchanges.

Since 2023, the LTA has taken significant action, issuing over 30,000 advisory notices and removing more than 400 bicycles and other personal mobility devices that were causing obstructions. The authority acknowledges that indiscriminate parking is most prevalent at busy transport hubs where demand for space is high. To address this, the LTA is exploring ways to optimize existing parking areas and collaborating with building owners to identify alternative locations where feasible.

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Over the years, at the start, it was a bit clearer. But now it has gotten a bit more congested. And sometimes, during peak hours … around 6pm it gets a bit crowded and difficult to walk.

Despite these measures, residents near Sembawang MRT station report that the problem persists and has worsened over time. Bicycles continue to be parked along walkways, even near prominent signage reminding cyclists to park considerately. One resident noted that while the situation briefly improved after the banner was put up, the congestion soon returned, with larger devices sometimes blocking the entire walkway during peak hours.

The LTA also highlighted that abandoned or derelict bicycles contribute to the problem by reducing available parking lots, thereby pushing active cyclists to park indiscriminately elsewhere. The ongoing efforts seek to balance the needs of cyclists with the requirement for clear and accessible public spaces for all commuters.

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Sometimes, people even park larger devices here, blocking the entire walkway.