10 best cycling routes in Singapore

10 best cycling routes in Singapore

This article first appeared on Skyscanner’s 10 best cycling routes in Singapore

Singapore may be a tiny sweltering dot of a country but it punches well above its weight in cycle friendly infrastructure.

With a well maintained network of bike paths, good value bicycle shops and a population desperate for a bit of fresh air, a few hours on a bike can reinvigorate even the most jaded of city dwellers.

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Top 5 Tips for cycling in Singapore

Singapore is literally roasting. The UV here is almost off the charts between 11am and 3pm, so try and avoid cycling at these times. Slap on plenty of high factor sunscreen and a hat or helmet

Some of these routes are ulu. There might not be any shops for long stretches so pack a small day pack with a bottle of water, some nuts and raisins and a fresh tee for a quick change at the end of your mission.

Relax. Don't grip too hard or you will end up with all sorts of tension related aches and pains. And, don't hunch over the handlebars. Take some time to look around and admire the views!

Don't be over confident. Sounds simple, but make sure you are competent enough to complete your trip. If you haven't been on a long bicycle rides in a while, start with something simple before attempting one of the more challenging routes.

Keep to the cycle lanes. The Park Connectors are well-marked so you shouldn't be in too much danger of knocking over irate aunties!

What are the best cycling routes in Singapore?

1. Best cycle route for families: Bedok Reservoir Park

Enjoy cool breezes and a late afternoon picnic with the kids at Bedok Reservoir Park.
Photo credit: Derrick Caluag Flickr

Choosing a place for kids to cycle in Singapore can be a challenge; Pulau Ubin is too hilly and East Coast Park can be crammed with over enthusiastic roller bladers.

A good compromise can be found in Bedok with cool breezes blowing across the reservoir and a flat mixture of well-paved surface and pebbly adventure.

Kids will be pleased with a jaunt around here and mum and can dad can be relieved that if junior gets too tired or throws a wobbly, the family is never more than 2.3km from the entrance to the park. Bring your picnic stuff here for a cool late afternoon family outing and let the kids blow off some steam on the bicycle path.

Level: Easy

Route: A circuit of Bedok Reservoir Park (4.3km)

Getting there: Take bus 66 or 228 from Bedok MRT

2. Best cycle route for beginners: Pasir Ris Park

Get to grips with cycling at tranquil Pasir Ris Park.
Photo credit: chinnian Flickr

With over 7km of well-maintained track and excellent bicycle rental facilities, novices flock to Pasir Ris Park to get to grips with bikes (and horses should your inner equestrian leap out at you) and enjoy the tranquil beach setting as well as ample shade offered by the sprawling ancient trees dotted throughout the park.

There is even a stretch which passes through the mangrove forest for you to have a moment communing with nature. With a designated path for cyclists and minimal slopes, humps and bumps, this is the perfect place to build up your confidence on two wheels.

When your cycling is done, pop into one of the park's cafes for a bowl of fries and a glass of something refreshing. You've earned it!

Level: Easy

Route: A circuit of Pasir Ris Park (around 7kms)

Getting there: Take bus 403 from Pasir Ris MRT

Rent bicycles at: Cycling Connection in Pasir Ris Park Car Park D

3. Best cycle route for city views and sunset romance: Kallang River and Marina Bay

Enjoy stunning city views from your wheels around Marina Bay. 
Photo: Skyscanner

Start this ride at Marina Bay Sands and head out over the iconic Helix Bridge and enjoy a leisurely ride out along the well maintained path past the Singapore Flyer along the Kallang River.

Turn back at the bridge crossing the river near Kallang MRT and head back towards the skyscrapers passing the Esplanade before getting to the Merlion. Try to time your ride for sunset as the surrounding scenery can make for some stunning photos.

For those in the mood for a bit of romancing, lock up the bicycles and head up to the Esplanade roof for the Marina Bay Sands Light Show at 8pm with a picnic, or continue cycling to the Promontory@Marina Bay and chill in deck chairs whilst being surrounded by the power towers of the CBD.

Level: Medium

Route: Marina Bay Sands to Kallang and back to the Merlion Park (about 11 km)

Getting there: Bayfront MRT

4. Best cycle route for off the beaten path exploring: Khatib Loop

Explore streets filled with old colonial bungalows on the Khatib Loop.
Photo credit: Zhao! Flickr

This 16km loop is a great way to rediscover the country without pushing yourself to the extremes. Start at Khatib MRT and head towards the Simpang Kiri Park Connector before getting to the old Singapore Naval Base at Sembawang where you can take a break and enjoy views over the Straits of Johor.

The route now passes through a quiet residential area filled with old colonial 'black and white houses' dating from the 1920s which were used to house British Navy staff officers and their families during the British rule.

Keep your eyes peeled along Gibraltar Road for the entrance to a small bunker which has become covered by the roots of a large banyan tree. Pass along cosmopolitan Canberra Road and its churches and temples before emerging out at Gambas Avenue, where you'll find the fabled Sembawang Hot Spring, Singapore's only natural hot spring.

Give your feet a bath before shooting off for a feast at Chong Pang Market, known for its nasi lemak and braised duck rice.

Level: Medium

Route: Start and finish at Khatib MRT (16km)

Getting there: Khatib MRT

5. Best cycle route for nature and night cycling: Lower Seletar to Woodlands Waterfront

Cruise through gorgeous nature at Admiralty Park.
Photo credit: Aamantullah Flickr

Begin this ride in the late afternoon at Lower Seletar Reservoir Park before pushing away from the crowds at Yishun along the tranquil Mandai Park Connector and follow the Park Connector route through the heartlands of Woodlands to Admiralty Park. It might be worth parking your bike here and enjoying a stroll through the park.

It's not big but it's gorgeously green and worth tuning in to nature here. As the sun begins to set, head through the bumpy gravelly track until you come out at Woodlands Waterfront Park, boasting amazing night views over to Johor Bahru.

There are a number of cycling trails through the park, though you may want to take it easy and bask in the cool breeze and drink in the scenery.

Level: Medium

Route: Lower Seletar Reservoir Park to Woodlands Waterfront Park (12km)

Getting there: Cycle to Lower Seletar Reservoir Park from Khatib MRT

6. Best cycle route for gluttons: Pasir Ris to East Coast Park

Work off your lunch with a cycle along the East Coast Parkway.
Photo credit: Akuppa John Wigham Flickr

The Park Connector here is a piece of cake to follow and stops in at some great refuelling stops to make for a fun and calorific cycle. Follow the route out of Pasir Ris Town Park passing the wetlands and wide open green spaces of Tampines Eco Park followed by the cool breezes wafting off Bedok Reservoir.

Stop by Bedok Food Centre for a bowl of ban mian, lor mee or a Bedok signature watermelon bowl. With a full stomach, get back on your wheels and head for East Coast Parkway and down to newly opened Parkland Green, a National Parks project featuring a mix of cafes, bars and recreational spots including a 1-hectare open lawn for those with picnics.

A good bet here is Sandbanks, serving up good pizzas, sandwiches and salads alongside a very inviting plunge pool to soothe away those aches and pains - so don't forget to pack your swimmers!

Level: Medium

Route: Pasir Ris Park to Parkland Green (17.5km)

Getting there: Take bus 3,5,6,12,17 from Pasir Ris MRT

Rent bikes from: PCN Pitsop at Pasir Ris Park and drop them off at PCN Pitsop at East Coast Park.

7. Best cycle route for tranquil weekend outings: Punggol Coastline and Rivers

Enjoy a sunset cycle along Punggol Promenade.
Photo credit: Kyle Lam Flickr

This 26km route takes in the newly opened Coney Island, Punggol Promenade and starts at Punggol Park. Follow the well-marked Park Connector signs from Punggol Park and head north towards the water and the glorious sea breezes. Once you exit at Punggol, you will be away from traffic and can enjoy the sound of birds and the sun on your face.

Detour at Coney Island to check out the monkeys, eerie deserted mansion and the views over to Pulau Ubin and down to Changi Airport. You can even see the control tower and planes taking off and landing in the distance.

From here it's a short ride to Punggol Promenade with its many restaurants and cafes and sandy beach. If you have the power, you can continue down to Sengkang Riverside Park and pop into kampong Buangkok, Singapore's last kampong before emerging onto the busy roads in Buangkok.

The route isn't very shady so make sure you wear a hat and slap on sunscreen or cycle in the evening when the route is well-lit, the weather is less painful and you can enjoy the fiber optic lighting display at Punggol Promenade.

Level: Medium

Route: Start and Finish at Punggol Park (26kms)

Getting there: MRT to Buangkok then hop on bus 102.

Rent bikes from: Go Cycling at Punggol Park and Punggol Jetty (Take bus 84 from Punggol MRT)

8. Best cycle route for fitness freaks and tech geeks: Athlete Lab

Revel in the data rich cyclist's paradise at Athlete Lab.
Photo credit: Athlete Lab

Those living in crowded Singapore may find it difficult to get in a decent road cycle session outside of the weekend. And though you physically don't travel anywhere at Athlete Lab, your body will get a serious two-wheeled workout.

The sessions here are distinctly different to spinning as Athlete Lab uses Adjustabikes, real adapted road bikes with gears allowing you a genuine cycling experience indoors, whilst protecting your knees and ITBs.

Tech geeks will love the data rich environment with a wall display showing cycling performance data allowing you to get the most out of your workout whilst having a cheeky sneak at how others are doing at the same time. The specialised trainers here can guide you to a variety of workout programmes to suit your needs from weight loss to ironman and triathlon training.

Level: Challenging

Route: A downtown personalised indoor cycling experience with expert help for you to get the most of out your cycling experience.

Address: 71 Amoy Street

Getting there: Walk from Telok Ayer MRT

Visit their website here

9. Bukit Timah MTB Trail - best for mountain biking

Be prepared to be tenderised at Bukit Timah.
Photo credit: Rino Peroni Flickr

This much loved trail runs through Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and is generally free of pedestrian traffic. Riding this trail is by no means easy as it has a number of challenging technical climbs and arduous descents so expect a tender posterior after a ride here.

This trail is has a special place in the heart of Singaporean mountain bikers as many feel it is a true representation of the country's terrain filled with knotty roots, mud, puddles, rocks and the aromas of the jungle.

Level: Challenging

Route: 6.5km mountain bike trail through Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

Getting there: Enter through Dairy Farm Road or Hindhede Park

10. Best cycle route for birdwatchers: Choa Chu Kang to Bukit Batok Nature Park

Check out the steep cliffs and deep pool at Singapore Quarry on your ride from Choa Chu Kang.
Photo credit: Zhao! Flickr

Start off with a leisurely pedal around Choa Chu Kang Park before heading off down the Pang Sua Park Connector and pop into the two butterfly gardens along the way.

The route then heads to Zhenghua Park which is a well-known haunt of birdwatchers, as it borders the central catchment area and its forests. Keep your eyes peeled for parakeets and woodpeckers, sea eagles and sunbirds alongside the usual motley crew of macaques and monitor lizards.

The trail gets a bit rough around here and your legs will get a solid workout as you approach the beautiful Singapore quarry where a few photos and a rest are the order of the day. From here, it's a short ride to Bukit Batok Nature Park with its orchids and quarry pool.

Level: Challenging

Route: Choa Chu Kang to Bukit Batok Nature Park (12km)

Getting there: Start at Choa Chu Kang Park, a short ride from Choa Chu Kang MRT

After more cycling adventures, but want to combine it with a quick holiday? Check out 6 bicycle tours around the world, or search Skyscanner for cheap flights, hotels and car rental deals today. For easy on-the-go booking, download our free mobile apps!

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