Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on Accidents Involving Cyclists in Large Groups on Public Roads, by Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law

Question:

Mr Desmond Choo: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs (a) over the last three years, what is the number of accidents involving casual and competitive cyclists cycling in large groups on public roads; and (b) what is the Ministry’s approach in managing the safety of road users amidst the growing appeal of group cycling.

Answer:

1. From 2017 to 2019, there were 1,556 accidents involving cyclists that resulted in injuries or fatalities. The number of such accidents has decreased from 596 in 2017 to 459 in 2019. As a percentage of all road accidents that resulted in injuries or fatalities, it has also decreased, from 8% to 6% over the same period. The Traffic Police (TP) does not track if the cyclists involved in these accidents were in large or small groups.

2. TP adopts a three-pronged approach of enforcement, education and engagement to enhance road safety for cyclists.

3. TP conducts regular enforcement at hotspots as well as at locations reported by members of the public where unsafe road behaviour by cyclists is observed. TP will take action against cyclists who ride in a disorderly manner and without due regard for the safety of others. First-time offenders may be fined up to $1,000, imprisoned for up to three months, or both. Repeat offenders may be fined up to $2,000, imprisoned for up to six months, or both.

4.  On education and engagement, TP has been working with the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and community partners such as the Safe Cycling Task Force. This includes disseminating safe cycling publicity materials, and specific advisories for group cycling that state that only up to two cyclists are allowed to ride abreast in one lane, when cycling on roads with two or more lanes. On roads with a single lane, cyclists should always ride in a single file unless overtaking. TP also conducts regular road safety talks with motorists to educate them on safe driving practices, including when encountering cyclists riding on roads.