Cycling, running and swimming

Question 1

What is the Round Island Route, and can I cycle all of it?

Accepted Answer

Not yet: the full 150km loop is still planned, and the first 75km, the eastern half, is the part you can ride. That stretch runs from Rower's Bay in the north-east, past the Singapore River, to Berlayer Creek in the south, and you can join it at any park along the way by following the route signposts. We'd start at East Coast Park and read Park Connector Network Ride for the other loops.

Question 2

Where can't I cycle in Singapore's parks and nature reserves?

Accepted Answer

Cycling is barred from the four nature reserves, the Singapore Botanic Gardens and several boardwalks and bridges. NParks names Bukit Timah, Central Catchment, Sungei Buloh and Labrador, plus Henderson Waves, the Kent Ridge canopy walk and the Pasir Ris Park mangrove boardwalks, and the ban covers e-scooters and power-assisted bikes too. The MyTransport app's Cycling Routes tab shows where riding is allowed. Walk Henderson Waves and the Botanic Gardens.

Question 3

How fast can I cycle on footpaths and cycling paths?

Accepted Answer

Up to 25km/h on cycling paths and shared paths, and 10km/h on footpaths. Cycling paths are the red or dark grey ones marked with a Cyclist logo, and footpaths are the unmarked paths beside roads and inside HDB public housing estates. Slow down and give way in the red-dotted Attention Zones at bus stops, crossings and playgrounds, and keep left unless you're overtaking.

Question 4

Do I need a helmet to cycle in Singapore?

Accepted Answer

Yes on roads, where cyclists and power-assisted bicycle riders must wear a helmet, and cycling on expressways or in road tunnels isn't allowed at all. On park connectors NParks asks riders to wear protective gear such as a helmet too. Bring your own if you can, and add the elbow and knee pads the Police also suggest.

Question 5

How do I use a shared bicycle in Singapore?

Accepted Answer

Download the operator's app, sign up, top up, scan the bike's QR code, and end the trip by scanning the QR code at a marked parking area. Anywheel's rate is S$1 per 30 minutes after a S$10 minimum top-up, plus S$5 if you park outside a designated area. LTA warns that riders who keep ending trips outside designated zones can be banned from shared bicycles.

Question 6

What is the Cyclist Park at East Coast Park?

Accepted Answer

The Cyclist Park is a 5.4-hectare cycling hub in Area D of East Coast Park, open 24 hours, with a 280-metre learner circuit and a 500-metre advanced one. The learner track has easy slopes and a basic BMX trail, and the advanced one adds a narrow bridge. You can buy or repair a bicycle there, and the park has bike rental shops, so hire one and practise first.

Question 7

How much does it cost to swim at a public pool in Singapore?

Accepted Answer

Expect S$1.30 to S$1.70 for an adult at an ordinary ActiveSG pool, or S$2 to S$2.60 at the larger special-features complexes. Those are the standard rates, which visitors pay, and the higher figure applies at weekends and public holidays. Special-features complexes include Pasir Ris, Jurong East and Sengkang. Tourists without Singpass, the national digital ID, can't book ahead, but they can buy single-entry passes at the pool.

Question 8

What time do ActiveSG public swimming pools open?

Accepted Answer

Most ActiveSG pools open daily from 8am to 9.30pm, and many add a morning swim from 6.30am on alternate days except Sunday. Bishan, Jurong West, Katong and Serangoon run it on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, while Clementi, Kallang Basin and Sengkang run it on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. MOE Evans keeps its own hours, so check the pool's page before you go.

Question 9

Where can I swim laps in a championship pool in Singapore?

Accepted Answer

OCBC Aquatic Centre at The Kallang has a 10-lane competition pool and an 8-lane training pool, open for lap swimming from 7am to 9.30pm except Tuesdays. The competition pool is for ages 16 and over, and it's our pick for lengths in Singapore, a short walk from Stadium MRT.

Question 10

Can I swim in Singapore's reservoirs, like MacRitchie?

Accepted Answer

No: PUB says swimming and washing are not permitted in reservoirs because the water is a source of drinking water. The Public Utilities regulations also bar anyone in a catchment area park from bathing or washing in a reservoir or stream. PUB has opened its reservoirs to kayaking, dragon boating and fishing instead, so rent a kayak at MacRitchie Reservoir Kayak or Marina Reservoir Kayak.

Question 11

Where should I run in Singapore as a visitor?

Accepted Answer

East Coast Park has 13km of smooth coastal pathways and Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park stretches over 3km, and both are open 24 hours. For shade, MacRitchie's forest has more than 20km of trails, and bicycles stay out of the reserve. We'd run East Coast Park at first light and save MacRitchie Reservoir Park for a day when you want trees overhead.

Question 12

Is there a free group run I can join in Singapore?

Accepted Answer

Yes: parkrun is a free 5k that takes place every Saturday morning, and you can walk, jog or run it. Register once on the parkrun site, then turn up at any event, with no time limit and nobody finishing last. Singapore's events include East Coast Park, Bishan and Bedok Reservoir, and each runs from its own park.