Life.Culture.Discovery.

Cycling in Singapore has never been easier or more rewarding – and it’s about to get even better

A 500km network of routes through and around the country has made Singapore one of Asia’s most bicycle-friendly destinations – just don’t forget the sunscreen

We sample a historic south-to-north trail, a coastal route and a more sedate trip around Sentosa, and finds cars give us a reassuringly wide berth

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A 500km network of new and improved cycle paths makes it an attractive pursuit for visitors and residents alike, who can take in views like this one of Marina Bay. Photo: Tamara Hinson

Published: 8:15am, 30 Apr 2022

An hour into my bicycle ride across Singapore and, as well as many sunshine-yellow sunbirds and even more supersized dragonflies, I’ve encountered two squirrels and a monitor lizard. But very little motor traffic.

The smooth ribbon of tarmac I’m on was created for both cyclists and hikers, and is part of a route – known as the Rail Corridor – that currently stretches from Tanjong Pagar, in Singapore’s south, to Kranji, in the north.

When restoration work on the last few sections is completed later this year, if all goes to plan the corridor will be a total of 24km (15 miles) in length and end at the Woodlands Train Checkpoint, close to the Malaysian border.

Having to lug my Anywheel bike onto the road for the few short sections still undergoing renovation is a small price to pay for the entirely new perspective on Singapore provided by this route, which sits in the footprint of a railway line once used to shuttle goods between Singapore and its larger neighbour.