SINGAPORE - Over 8,000 cyclists have been tracked using Sentosa's on-road cycling lanes to get on-and-off the island since April, the resort island told The Straits Times recently.

The Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) started building a network of on-road bicycle lanes - the first of their kind in Singapore - last year. On Monday (dec12), it announced the opening of its revamped walking and cycling trails.

The island's cycling network has been boosted by the 4.5km-long on-road stretch and now spans about 12km.

The cycling trails start at the Sentosa Boardwalk beside Vivocity and provide a "seamless link" from the mainland to the island.

Cyclists can access the island from a dedicated track beside the Sentosa Boardwalk, and reach the entrance of the island through a special underpass. This means they no longer have to jostle with traffic along the main road to reach the entrance of the island.

The underpass was closed in 2007 when construction for the Resorts World Sentosa integrated resort began, and re-opened in June this year to give cyclists access to the island.

Cyclists have to pay $2 to enter Sentosa.

The island's six walking trails, which span about 7.5km, connect the island with the Southern Ridges on mainland Singapore, said the SDC in a statement on Monday.

Pedestrians don't have to pay admission fees to access the island via the boardwalk until the end of next year (2017).

The SDC said its walking and cycling network "strengthens connectivity" and complements existing on-island transportation such as the monorail, buses, beach trams and cable car.

"With the seamless link to the Singapore mainland via the Sentosa Gateway and enhanced connectivity on the island provided by our network of cycling tracks and walking trails, guests now enjoy easy access to the island's pristine and quiet natural environment," said SDC's assistant chief executive Jacqueline Tan.