If you've been reading Mothership, you might probably know that some of us here are big on cycling:

So it comes to us as good news that the Land Transport Authority (LTA) will be building more cycling path networks in HDB towns (six more towns, to be exact) from 2018 to 2023, bring up the number of towns with cycling path networks to 15.

This was announced by Senior Minister of State Lam Pin Min during the Committee of Supply Debate on Wednesday, March 7.

And of course, cycling on the roads would soon (thankfully) be a thing of the past because the authorities will also be building cycling paths between towns.

The six HDB towns to be enhanced with cycling path networks are:

1. Bishan
2. Bukit Panjang
3. Choa Chu Kang
4. Toa Payoh
5. Woodlands
6. Taman Jurong

HDB towns with completed cycling path networks are:

1. Tampines (will be expanded from 2018)
2. Sembawang
3. Changi-Simei
4. Pasir Ris
5. Yishun
6. Punggol
7. Ang Mo Kio (will be expanded from 2018)
8. Jurong Lake District
9. Bedok

National Cycling Plan so you can cycle anywhere

When fully integrated with the cycling network, the goal is to you'll be able to cycle anywhere using a mixture of park connectors and cycling routes.

By 2030, all Housing Development Board (HDB) estates will (hopefully) have a cycling network which would be connected to networks in other towns - the goal of the National Cycling Plan.

[related_story]

Ensuring safer rides

With more people using personal mobility devices (PMD) and cycling today, we have also seen more reckless riding on the roads like this:

and this:

Since February 2018, the LTA rolled out a Safe Riding Programme to educate members of the public on how to ride safely and recognise road signs and markings.

There's also a patrol force consisting of NParks rangers, Traffic Police, and grassroots volunteers who are constantly on the prowl to catch and educate errant riders.

E-scooters must be registered from second half of 2018

Lam also mentioned that, following the recommendation of the Active Mobility Advisory Panel (AMAP), the government will be mandating the registration of e-scooters that are used on public paths.

The registration will take place within the second half of 2018 and will entail the following from e-scooter users:

1. Provide personal particulars for registration
2. Paste identification stickers prominently on e-scooters
3. Ensure that e-scooters comply with requirements of Active Mobility Act, and do not exceed the weight/speed/dimension requirements.

E-scooters cannot exceed 20kg in weight, 700mm in maximum width, and 25km/h in maximum device speed. More details on the e-scooter registration will be released later.

Use of other PMDs such as electric hoverboards and unicycles are not as widespread and so will not be subjected to registration currently. Electric or power-assisted bicycles have already had to undergo registration since August 2017.

If you enjoy riding your PMDs on the road, you should read this:

Top image of National Cycling Plan via URA and e-scooter enforcement via LTA.