SINGAPORE - Getting around will now be much easier for Punggol residents. The town's 8.8km bicycle network was unveiled on Sunday (Oct 30) after construction works on the project started in June 2015, making it the seventh town here to have its own cycling network.

The off-road cycling paths will give residents a seamless cycling route from their homes to train stations, schools and other amenities.They also link up to Sengkang via the Punggol Park Connector Network.

Senior Minister of State for Transport Ng Chee Meng said at the unveiling ceremony at Punggol 21 Community Club that the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has also been beefing up the availability of bicycle parking.

There are now about 325 parking lots at Punggol MRT for residents, and Mr Ng, who is also a Pasir-Ris Punggol-GRC MP, has also asked the LTA to look into providing bicycle racks at LRT stations.

Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean and Pasir-Ris Punggol GRC MPs Janil Puthucheary and Ms Sun Xueling were also present at the ceremony.

Mr Ng added that the Round Island Route, a 150km continuous green trail that links to Pasir Ris, Changi Bay and Gardens by the Bay East, will also pass through Punggol.

"With these improvements to cycling connectivity, Punggol residents will find it easier to get around without driving, and this is critical in supporting our vision of a car-lite Singapore," he said.