Your complete guide to the best cycling routes in Singapore

Cycling is one of those activities that never gets old – the wind in your face, the rush of euphoria when you whizz down a slope, a sharp turn at a bend that pumps up that adrenaline. And with Singapore’s growing park connector network, it’s no wonder there’s a growing group of cycling enthusiasts. After keeping indoors for a while, why not set out for a little adventure in the great outdoors, on wheels?

Here are some of our recommended cycling routes to explore in Singapore, from the easy treks perfect for beginners to the more challenging ones that will appeal to experienced riders. If you don’t have a set of wheels of your own, make your way to the nearest bike rental shop to pick up one!

Ready to see how far the park connectors take you? Let’s go!

1. Take in the sea breeze while cycling along Singapore’s eastern coast

What you can admire

East Coast Park is our favourite place for family BBQ gatherings, setting up a camp by the beach or simply enjoying the sea breeze on roller blades or bicycles.

While Bedok Jetty is a common endpoint for most cyclists, East Coast Park has also extended its cycling route towards the city that will take you straight to Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay Sands, and the Singapore Flyer. Make a stop at the Marina Barrage to get an amazing vantage point of the Singapore skyline with the Marina Bay Sands and Singapore Flyer in the backdrop – best if you time this towards the evening for a spectacular sunset. If you want to remain in the east, why not hop onto the Changi Airport Connector from East Coast Park and admire all the attractions lined up towards the airport?

What you can do

You can stop for a break by the sea to hear the waves lapping gently on the boulders of the breakwaters, or head to the Singapore Wake Park – a specially designed lagoon set against the sea – to try your hand at water skiing or wakeboarding. Be sure to book in advance before you head there.

Alternatively, if you prefer to enjoy the breeze by the coast on skates, you can check out the Xtreme SkatePark, Singapore’s first skate park that was built to international competition standards. It is open to both novice and experts, and welcomes children as young as six years old too.

If you’re enroute to Changi Airport, keep your eyes peeled for the spellbinding life-size displays of the Brontosaurus, T-Rex and other dinosaurs at the Jurassic Mile! Stop by for some clicks - a monopod will come in handy for this one, we reckon!

What you can eat

When your stomach rumbles for food, head to the East Coast Seafood Centre for your fix of fresh seafood. If you’re looking for more variety, the open-air East Coast Lagoon Food Village will be your best bet - cue barbecued sambal (a local chili concoction) stingray, satay (barbecued meat skewers) and chicken wings (yum!). For others who prefer a nice café to chill out and cool off from the sweltering afternoon sun, you can head down to P.S. Café by the sea at Cyclist Park. Or try the the Hub & Spoke café along the Changi Airport Connector and dig into a scrumptious meal, from egg benedict to a delightful plate of Nasi Lemak!

Difficulty level: Easy, great for beginners and families with children of all ages
 

Bicycle shops in the east of Singapore:

GoCycling @ ECP C4 PCN

1030 East Coast Parkway, East Coast Park Carpark C4, Singapore 449893

Opens daily – 8:00am to 10:00pm

GoCycling @ Hub & Spoke

60 Airport Boulevard, #01-T2S-01 Changi Airport Terminal 2, Singapore 819643

Opening hours: Monday – Friday: 10:00am to 8:00pm, Saturday – Sunday & Public Holiday: 9:00am to 9:00pm

Lifestyle Bike N Skate

80 Marine Parade Central, #01-788, Singapore 440080

Opens daily – 9:00am to 9:00pm

2. Tracing the winding river into the heartlands in the north-east

What you can admire

There’s something dreamy about the Punggol Waterway. Its breathtaking riverside and wetland views, meandering stretches of coastal trees and stunning foliage transports you to a different place.

The North Eastern Riverine Loop takes you to all the scenic places as well as the more rustic landscapes of Punggol Promenade and Lorong Halus Wetland. Along this 26km cycling route, keep a look out for butterflies, a variety of waterside birds fishing for food, and the Fruit Tree Trail that features 16 types of fruit trees. The Punggol Waterway Park, also known as the ‘Venice of Punggol’, is a worthwhile detour where you will find the famous five (bridges).

The cycling path in Punggol also leads you towards Coney Island. This ecologically sustainable park uses timber from fallen trees for all the signage in the park, benches and the boardwalk over the mangrove swamp. The island has retained its rustic vibes, so do expect a slightly bumpy ride to hidden beaches. While the beaches don’t offer pristine shores and azure waters, they are ideal for a nice break after sweating it out on the bike, and be the perfect backdrop for your Instagram photos.

Do remember to pack some sunscreen and insect repellent. Dress in long pants if you’re planning to linger by the beach, and bring along some water to stay hydrated amid the sunny and humid weather of Singapore.

What you can eat

This route along Punggol Waterway Park will take you approximately two hours to complete on bike, but if you need to fuel up over brunch and coffee, you can stop by at Whisk & Paddle. Located right next to the water, this café boasts a relaxing atmosphere and you can choose to dine alfresco or enjoy the air-conditioning indoors if the heat is too hot to bear. This café is family and dog-friendly too.

Difficulty level: Easy, great for beginners and families with children of all ages
 

Bicycle shops in the north-east of Singapore:

GoCycling @ Punggol Jetty

911 Punggol Road, Singapore 829170

Monday to Friday – 10:00am to 8:00pm

Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays – 9:00am to 9:00pm

 

GoCycling @ Punggol Park

11 Hougang Ave 10, Singapore 536768

Monday to Friday – 10:00am to 7.30pm

Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays – 8:30am to 8:30pm

3. Pump up your muscles for a hill climb at the Southern Ridges

What you can admire

The Southern Ridges boasts one of the toughest cycling trails in Singapore for serious bikers. Keep your hands within close range of the brakes and don’t be fooled by the gentle but winding gradient up Mount Faber. Remember to switch your gears to low before you take it on!

After you ascend Mount Faber, you can continue along the trail to enjoy sweeping views of the lush greenery from Henderson Waves. You would have to dismount and push your bikes through these areas as cycling is prohibited on certain areas of the trail. Be sure to have your helmets on!

From Mount Faber, the cycling route connects to HortPark and Labrador Nature Reservoir and is a paradise for everyone from nature lovers to shutterbugs and families. Cycle along the trek from Bukit Chermin Boardwalk to Labrador Park to enjoy the different views of the expansive waters of Keppel Harbour. During low tides in the early morning and evening, you might be able to spot the coastal cliffs and rocky shores that provide a safe haven for the rich biodiversity in the area.

What you can do

As you make a loop through Labrador Nature Reserve, take the road down towards mega-mall, VivoCity and across the expressway towards Sentosa. In 2016, Sentosa began constructing a network of cycling lanes in this part of Singapore and has since expanded it to cover more than 12km around the island.

Budget tip! Admission to Sentosa is free of charge when you ride in with your bicycle.

What you can eat

Before you end off your exploration down south, refuel at Seah Im Food Centre. One of the stalls here, #MakanBoleh, whips up one of the best epok epok or curry puffs in Singapore. Unlike regular curry puffs, the crust holds the filling well and does not disintegrate into flaky bits when you sink your teeth into it. Cai Ji Boneless Duck Rice is another popular stall not to be missed. They serve up both chicken and duck with a choice of yam or white rice as a complement to the tender duck and flavourful gravy.

 

Difficulty level: Moderate, consists of up and downhills

As there aren’t any bicycle rental shops around the parks, we’d recommend making use of a bike-sharing app, SG Bike, to get your hands on bicycles that are conveniently located all over the island. See here for more details on how to use the app.

4. Visit the upcoming tourist hub in the west

What you can admire

Jurong Lake District is primed to be the largest mixed-use business district outside the city centre and will feature first-of-its-kind attractions, hotels and complementary lifestyle offerings. As part of the western park connector, you will be taken through the newly opened 90ha Jurong Lake Gardens. There, you’ll find a Logs Trail, a cluster of wooden stumps made from old Rain Trees and Senegal Mahoganies, and an enormous playground with 13 play zones. This playground is not only for children. It also comes with trampolines, hammocks and a climbing structure that resembles a bird’s nest – they make perfect spots for the ‘gram too!

As you follow the park connector up north, you can swing by Xiao Guilin at Bukit Batok Town Park. It has a majestic granite rock sitting within a lake, which looks similar to Guilin in China, hence its name.

What you can do

If you are seeking some adrenaline and adventure, make a detour to Chestnut Nature Park for some serious off-road biking. Comprising some 11 different sections across a 64ha space, the northern Chestnut Nature Park boasts nearly eight kilometres of fresh trails complementing the existing 1.8km trail at the southern end. Riders who are keen to shred some tyres and take some airtime can explore the Chestnut Bike Park. It features four different progressive lines, each with drops of varying heights, a mountain cross track and even a technical skills section, offering different intensities for rides of all abilities.

Apply some sunscreen and insect repellent as well, and do remember to keep your snacks in tightly-sealed containers to avoid being harassed by wild monkeys or stray dogs.

What you can eat

Just a stone’s throw away from Jurong Lake is the Yuhua Village Market & Food Centre. At Xiang Ji Cooked Food, you can satisfy your craving for sliced fish, pork or shredded chicken porridge for below S$4, or visit Seng Huat Homemade Fried Carrot Cake for carrot cake that’s made from scratch.

Difficulty level for Jurong Lake & Bukit Batok: Easy, great for families with children of all ages

Difficulty level for Chestnut Nature Park: Challenging, recommended for serious off-road bikers with a mountain bike

You may not be able to find a kiosk to rent a bike in this part of Singapore but you can always snap up some wheels via the bike-sharing app.

Get a good workout and enjoy all that nature has to offer

Cycling is not only good for your health and fitness but it is also an instant mood booster! Before you scoot off for your biking adventure, always remember to check that the bike you’ve rented has white lights in the front and red lights at the back. Lastly, don’t forget to put on a helmet for safety! 

Why not start by purchasing your very own cycling gear?

 

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