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
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.
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.
Along the way are repeated nods to its past, including sections of old track, restored rail crossing signs and ornate steel truss bridges that were built in the early 1900s and now resemble the ribcages of dinosaurs.
The 1930s Bukit Timah station is among several heritage buildings the route passes that are being restored to their former glory.
