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Independent Singapore
02-07-2025
- Independent Singapore
Penalties for cycling on pedestrian-only paths began July 1, but people have a lot of questions
SINGAPORE: From Tuesday (Jul 1), people who were found using their bicycles on pedestrian-only paths could begin to face a fine of up to S$2,000 and/or three months' jail time, even for first-time offenders, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) reminded the public in a social media post. The LTA has been converting the footpaths adjacent to cycling paths into paths that only people on foot may use, for the purpose of improving safety for vulnerable pedestrians, including seniors and children. The authority's Active Mobility Enforcement Officers (AMEOs) and Active Mobility Community Ambassadors volunteers have been out and about since August of last year to inform members of the public concerning which path they should be using, as well as other safety guidelines. 'Only pedestrians and Personal Mobility Aid (PMA) users within their speed limit are allowed on Pedestrian-Only Paths. While walking is allowed on cycling paths, pedestrians are encouraged to use Pedestrian-Only Paths for safety. Path users moving at higher speeds on cycling paths should always look out for pedestrians and more vulnerable users,' the LTA added. FB screengrab/ LTA The announcement has given rise to a surprising number of questions from netizens who appear to be dissatisfied with the new rules, despite the added safety that many will have. On LTA's Facebook account, there have been over 250 comments so far. One commenter opined that 'the softer path is more suitable for the pedestrians while the hard-surfaced path is more practical for bicycles and PMDs.' He also raised the issue of people on PMAs who speed, and suggested that PMAs should be on cycling paths instead of pedestrian-only lanes, as he feels that they pose an equal threat to vulnerable pedestrians. 'Only human-assisted wheelchairs and pedestrians should be on the same path. All bicycles and (mechanical) devices should be on the other' path, he added. Another wrote that the 'abuse of PMAs by able-bodied persons is the real problem,' such as food delivery PMAs. Others also reported problems with too-fast PMAs, leading one to comment, 'I think anything on wheels except wheelchairs should be on the cyclist's path.' 'It makes no sense at all when pedestrians can walk on a cycling path,' another wrote. Some commenters appeared to think that part of the problem was how the new regulations were rolled out, as they found them to be unclear. 'If you really want to help people understand the new path rules and etiquette, you need to make it clearer which groups (cyclists, PMA users, PMD users) can use which paths. Right now, it just feels like a PR mess. There's barely any proper education on pavement safety, and most people are still confused,' wrote a commenter. /TISG Read also: No space to walk: Sengkang pedestrians caught between e-bikes and safety
Straits Times
01-07-2025
- Straits Times
Cyclists face fines, jail for riding on pedestrian-only paths as enforcement begins on July 1
LTA's active mobility enforcement officers advising pedestrians and cyclists to keep to their respective lanes on a newly converted 200m-long pedestrian-only path in Tampines on July 1. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM Cyclists face fines, jail for riding on pedestrian-only paths as enforcement begins on July 1 SINGAPORE – From July 1, cyclists and users of non-motorised personal mobility devices (PMDs) such as kick scooters can be penalised for riding on designated pedestrian-only footpaths located in towns across Singapore. Only pedestrians and users of personal mobility aids (PMAs), such as electric wheelchairs, are allowed on pedestrian-only paths, which have the words 'pedestrian only' and a logo of a pedestrian painted on them. PMAs must observe a speed limit of 6kmh by the first quarter of 2026, down from 10kmh . Bicycles and non-motorised PMDs remain permitted on other footpaths. More than 200km of footpaths next to cycling lanes have been turned into pedestrian-only paths since the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced this initiative in August 2024. These paths are found in towns including Tampines, Punggol, Sengkang, Yishun and Clementi. Toa Payoh was the first town to get these paths in January 2025. LTA said then that it would enforce the proper use of pedestrian-only and cycling paths from July 1, 2025, to give people time to adjust to the move, which it introduced 'for the safety of more vulnerable pedestrians such as seniors and children'. Bicycles, electric bicycles, motorised and non-motorised PMDs, as well as PMAs will continue to be allowed on cycling paths. First-time offenders convicted of riding on a pedestrian-only path could be fined up to $2,000 or jailed for three months, or both. LTA said its active mobility enforcement officers (AMEOs) will adopt 'a measured and considered approach' when determining whether an offence has been committed. 'There remains zero tolerance towards those who speed or ride in a rash and reckless manner on paths,' it added. Pedestrians who stray into cycling paths will not face these penalties, though they should keep to the pedestrian-only path for their own safety, LTA said. Those moving at a higher speed on cycling paths should also look out for pedestrians and more vulnerable users, it added. LTA said pedestrian-only paths will be implemented 'where space allows', but where there are space constraints, the 'gracious sharing of spaces will continue to be important'. AMEOs have been educating cyclists and non-motorised PMD users on using the correct path since August 2024, while LTA has also worked with schools to educate students on the new rules. The authority said path accidents have been on a 'general decline' since 2019, though 'more can be done to ensure safety for all path users, especially our seniors and young children'. There were 104 path accidents in 2024, down from 303 incidents in 2019. Vanessa Paige Chelvan is a correspondent at The Straits Times. She writes about all things transport and pens the occasional commentary. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
