Converting Underutilised Multi-storey Car Parks and Other Common Areas into Bicycle Parking Spaces
Ministry of National DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns MP Edward Chia Bing Hui’s inquiry about converting underutilised multi-storey car parks and common areas into bicycle parking spaces. Minister for National Development Desmond Lee explained that safety regulations generally prevent car park conversions because bicycle lots must be separated from vehicular ramps and driveways. Instead, HDB prioritizes installing dual bicycle racks at block void decks to optimize space and ensure resident convenience for new and existing developments. Under the Green Towns Programme, HDB will install 40,000 dual racks across 23 towns by 2024 to meet growing demand. Additionally, Town Councils may request consent from HDB to install further parking facilities at void decks or nearby locations for specific high-demand blocks.
Transcript
30 Mr Edward Chia Bing Hui asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether HDB will consider converting underutilised multi-storey carparks to be used for bicycle parking spaces; and (b) what other common areas can be converted to provide for more bicycle parking spaces.
Mr Desmond Lee: HDB will consider repurposing underutilised multi-storey car parks (MSCPs) to other uses, subject to factors, such as technical feasibility, safety considerations and whether there are potential disamenities to residents.
According to LTA’s Code of Practice (COP) 2019 for vehicle parking, bicycle lots are to be separated from the car park area. COP also states that the route taken for cyclists to reach the bicycle parking lots should also avoid vehicular ramps and driveways. These requirements are meant for the safety of cyclists. Conversion of car parking spaces to bicycle parking facilities in existing MSCPs would, generally, not meet these safety requirements.
For new public housing developments, bicycle parking is provided at the void deck of blocks for the convenience of our residents. Dual bicycle racks are provided to optimise the space usage at the void decks. In addition, under the Green Towns Programme (GTP), HDB will be installing up to 40,000 dual bicycle racks in 23 existing HDB towns by 2024.
If there is a need to increase bicycle parking for some blocks that have high demand, the Town Council may seek consent from HDB to install additional bicycle parking racks at the void deck or other locations near the blocks.