Attitudes towards active mobility in Singapore: A qualitative study

Abstract

Active modes of transport (i.e. walking and cycling) are being encouraged in many countries. Singapore is advocating strong efforts to attract more users to travel by walking and cycling and thereby achieve ‘car-lite’ travel. To attract users towards a certain transport alternative, it is important to understand their current perceptions and attitudes towards it and accordingly develop a suitable transport network and related schemes. This paper employs two qualitative techniques, focus group sessions and one-to-one interviews, to gain a deeper understanding of adults and elders perceived advantages, disadvantages, concerns and opportunities to promote walking and cycling in Singapore. It was found that users are comfortable with the walking infrastructure, but they expressed that more can be done to improve the cycling infrastructure including provision of wider paths and parking facilities. Overall, more positive attitudes were registered towards cycling than walking. Work incentives such as flexible working hours are preferred by users to promote walking and cycling. Education to all road users (pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists) was mentioned as a key initiative to increase safety and effective sharing of facilities.