Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on New Measures to Encourage Safe Cycling

Question:

Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs in light of the accident on 16 April 2023 along Upper Thomson Road involving two groups of cyclists, leading to the hospitalisation of one cyclist who fell (a) whether the Traffic Police will be taking any further measures to encourage (i) cyclists cycling in groups to adhere to current rules or safety requirements and (ii) all cyclists and cycling groups to give sufficient space when overtaking each other, so as to enhance cyclists’ safety; and (b) if so, what are such new measures.

Answer:

Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law:

1.   All road users, including cyclists, are required by law to use the roads in a safe and responsible way. Under the Road Traffic Act, cyclists who ride without due regard for the safety of others, may be liable for an offence. 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. For egregious cases which result in an accident and injury to other road users, harsher punishments under the Penal Code may be imposed.

2.   In January 2022, following a review by the Active Mobility Advisory Panel, the Government introduced stricter rules and regulations for on-road cycling. These include limits on cycling group sizes, the number of cyclists who are allowed to cycle abreast, and when cycling abreast is allowed. Composition sums were raised, from $75 to $150.

3.   To educate the public on these new rules and regulations, and to promote a safe and gracious cycling culture, the Traffic Police (TP) have been conducting outreach with stakeholders. For instance, TP partnered the Singapore Cycling Federation to engage more than 200 cyclists at the Festival of Cycling last year.

4.   TP and the Land Transport Authority also carry out enforcement operations against errant cyclists.

5.   We will monitor the situation and increase outreach or enforcement action as needed.