Cycling in Singapore has always been a thing among the brave, the few, but with new routes through places like Punggol and Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park scheduled for completion, it may become a viable commuting option. In the next few years, the LTA has promised more intra-town bike paths and bike networks connecting some neighborhoods to the CBD.
In the meantime, you can explore these four existing park connectors—North Eastern Riverine Loop, Northern Explorer Loop, Eastern Coastal Loop and Western Adventure Loop.
Punggol Park
For the scenic route…
Northern Eastern Riverine Loop
This 26 km biking trail, which comprises Buangkok, Sengkang, Punggol and Lorong Halus Wetland, links you through Serangoon Park Connector to Punggol with plenty of nature and relaxing waterfronts. Beginning from Punggol Park, you’ll be riding along breezy reservoirs and coastlines along Punggol Promenade Riverside Walk, Lorong Halus Wetland, Punggol Waterway Park and Sengkang Riverside Park before ending your journey at the Buangkok Park Connector. Not a fan of the sun? The night scene at Punggol Promenade Riverside Walk, which has fiber optic features that light up after dark, is pretty awesome too. There are also great dining options nearby such as cafe-bistro Whisk & Paddle (10 Tebing Ln., 6242-4617) and seafood restaurant Ponggol Seafood (3 Punggol Point Rd., 6448-8511). Early birds who are in the area before dawn can catch the sunrise at the Sunrise Bridge in Punggol Waterway Park.
The journey: Punggol Park, Sungei Serangoon Park Connector, Punggol Promenade Riverside Walk, Lorong Halus Wetland, Punggol Promenade Riverside Walk, Punggol Promenade Punggol Point Walk, Punggol Park Connector, Sengkang Riverside Park and Buangkok Park Connector
How long: 2 hours
Eastern Coastal Loop
For food stops along the way…
Eastern Coastal Loop
One of the easiest connectors to navigate, it’s a 17.5km trail which takes you from Pasir Ris Town Park to East Coast Park. You can rent bicycles from the PCN Pitstop starting point at Pasir Ris Town Park before passing through open grasslands, freshwater wetlands and lush trees along Tampines Eco Green and Bedok Reservoir Park. It’s also a good spot to stop for lunch or dinner—Bedok Food Centre is around the corner and popular bistro Wawawa (901 Bedok Reservoir Rd., 6285-8038) overlooks the reservoir. The loop ends at East Coast Park where more dining options can be found at Parkland Green (920 East Coast Parkway), a relatively new cluster of bars and restaurants such as Western cafe Sandbank (#01-28-32 Parkland Green, 6346-7988) and microbrewery Full Pint Brewery (#01-20-24, Parkland Green, 6342-0244). If you still have time to spare, head back up to Changi Beach Park through the Coastal Park Connector, where you can choose to take a bumboat to Pulau Ubin or have dinner at Changi Village.
The journey: Pasir Ris Town Park, Tampines Eco Green, Bedok Reservoir Park, Bedok Food Centre, Bedok Jetty, East Coast Park
How long: 2 hours
Woodlands Waterfront
Short but serene rides…
Northern Explorer Loop
You’ll be off to a quiet start at Lower Seletar Reservoir Park, which will lead you away from the busy Yishun heartlands past Upper Seletar Reservoir and into the dense and gravelly path of Ulu Sembawang Park Connector via the Mandai Park Connector. The 11km loop takes you to Admiralty Park, where nature lovers can attempt to spot wildlife at Sungei Cina’s fresh water swamps, mangroves and grasslands before making a final stop to admire the sea view at one of Singapore’s longest coastal jetties in Woodlands Waterfront.
The journey: Lower Seletar Reservoir Park, Mandai Park Connector, Ulu Sembawang Park Connector, Woodlands (SLE) Park Connector, Admiralty Park and Woodlands Waterfront
How long: 1 hour
Zhenghua Park
Challenging trails…
Western Adventure Loop
Ease into this 12km route at Choa Chu Kang Park before riding along the canal at Pang Sua Park Connector, where the eagle-eyed may spot a variety of birds like the Pacific Swallow and the White-Bellied Sea Eagle—there are even two butterfly gardens to explore if you have time to spare. Arriving at Zhenghua Park via the Bukit Panjang Park Connector, you’ll be getting a full workout on the area’s uneven terrain before passing through Dairy Farm Nature Park where a pit stop at the Singapore Quarry is a must. There, you can take lots of photos of the wetland’s striking cliffs, which overlook a tranquil lake. Finally, at Bukit Batok Nature Park, you can check out the park’s orchids, Quarry Pool and World War II Memorial Site.
The journey: Choa Chu Kang Park, Pang Sua Park Connector, Bukit Panjang Park Connector, Zhenghua Park Connector, Dairy Farm Nature Park and Bukit Batok Nature Park
How long: 1 hour
