From Jan. 1, 2022: Max. length of 5 bicycles per cycling group on S'pore roads, S$150 fine for errant cyclists

[kobayashiGT]

https://mothership.sg/2021/10/road-cyclists-new-rules-jan-2022/

Those cycling on Singapore roads will face stricter rules and regulations next year, including increased composition fines for errant cyclists.

The Ministry of Transport (MOT) has accepted the Active Mobility Advisory Panel's (AMAP) fifth review of the rules for road cyclists, which was submitted on Oct. 1.

The review involved studying practices overseas, conducting public consultations and focus groups, as well as a survey.

MOT stated in an Oct. 20 media release that the review was "timely" in light of the increased popularity of cycling recently, which has led to more interactions between cyclists and other road users, and in turn sparked concerns about road safety.

According to Melvin Yong, the Executive Secretary of the National Transport Workers' Union, there were 572 traffic accidents involving bicycles in 2020, an increase of about 25 per cent from 459 accidents in 2019.

Limiting cycling groups

Currently, cyclists are allowed to ride in twos on the road, provided that they are not riding on a single-lane road, or in a bus lane during bus lane hours.

AMAP has recommended that this should be allowed to continue, for cyclists' safety and visibility, which the government has agreed to.

The government has also decided to adopt one of AMAP's recommendations to limit cycling groups to a maximum length of five bicycles due to space constraints on Singapore's roads.

This means a maximum of five cyclists if the group is riding single-file, or a maximum of 10 cyclists if the group is riding two abreast.

This rule will be imposed from Jan. 1, 2022.

The government has also agreed with AMAP's list of best practices for cycling groups. While these are not mandatory, they should be followed where possible:

1. Cycling groups to keep a safe distance of approximately two lamp posts (or around 30m) between groups, and
2. Motorists to have a minimum distance of 1.5m when passing cyclists on roads.

Increased fines

Enforcement action will also be stepped up against errant cyclists.

From Jan. 1, 2022, the composition fines for such individuals will be raised from S$75 to S$150.

For more serious cases, the cyclist may be charged in court and face a fine of up to S$1,000 and/or a jail term of up to three months for the first offence.

For a second or subsequent offence, the cyclist may face a fine of up to S$2,000 and/or a jail term of up to six months.

Not the time to introduce licensing of cyclists

The AMAP also studied whether whether cyclists should be made to register their bicycles and get licenses to ride on the road — a topic that has been raised over the years, and was brought up by former Temasek CEO Ho Ching in April.

AMAP said in its review that there is "little evidence" overseas that such efforts are effective in deterring errant cycling and improving road safety, and described it as a "resource-intensive regime".

Additionally, these measures could also hinder the take-up of cycling in Singapore, and would "disproportionately affect more vulnerable groups of cyclists, including seniors and individuals who rely on bicycles for work and commute".

According to the media release, the government concurs that licensing and registration of cyclists and bicycles respectively "should not be introduced at this juncture".

Reiterating AMAP's statement, it said:

"Besides affecting the majority of law-abiding cyclists, there is little evidence from overseas case studies and Singapore’s past experience that licensing of cyclists is effective in promoting road safety or deterring errant cyclists."

It also acknowledged AMAP’s recommendation that all cyclists should be strongly encouraged to purchase third-party liability insurance to protect themselves from potential financial liabilities.

The government stated that it will continue working with insurance providers and cycling groups to promote the take up of third-party liability insurance.

In the meantime, to promote road safety and raise awareness of the new rules and guidelines, the government will continue to partner stakeholders in its public education and outreach efforts.

[kobayashiGT]

Hmmm. what do you all think of the new rules for the cyclist?

- I think by limiting cyclists to a group of 5 is a decent size. at least it will not cause major obstruction to the road.

- they are taking action(fine) against errant cyclist which I think they are the more harmless group of cyclist. First, they don't cycle fast, some uncle is using old bike like flying pigeon to buy their grandkids breakfast only. And secondly, they are only travelling in a short distance.

- And I am glad that they never intro a licensing thing for the cyclist. There is this youtuber who have fully narrated this but his topic is about mandating to wear a helmet anot.

And then hor, who is govt agency to issue the fine ah? LTA ah? 🤣

[Tohto]

As usual, all talk only, so many law. No enforcement, only NATO. The most at tbe beginning wayang a few days. 

All the PMD, electric bike are zooming around dangerously why never catch.

[kobayashiGT]

5 minutes ago, Tohto said:

As usual, all talk only, so many law. No enforcement, only NATO. The most at tbe beginning wayang a few days. 

All the PMD, electric bike are zooming around dangerously why never catch.

Ya lor, there are the group of road user who is more high risk.

[Thaiyotakamli]

Now the allow group of 10 cyclist? Shouldnt be group of 2? 

[RH1667]

Sorry, i thought i am in the " Joke " thread. 

There are no enforcement for rules, which lead to where we are today. 

[RH1667]

2 minutes ago, Thaiyotakamli said:

Now the allow group of 10 cyclist? Shouldnt be group of 2? 

10 already is consider give face liao hor. Dont make life more difficult for the King of the Road lah. 

[Watwheels]

To me whatever the rules there will be ppl who will break the law. It is very much like driving. Do you see everyone sticking to all the rules? I also dont follow all the rules.  Enforcement cant be everywhere at every time of the day or night.

Like Covid also. There are rules but you see ppl dont wear masks properly, still socialise and drink beer at kopishops. But the consequences can be more than just a fine. Can be death as well.

Cannot catch all of these ppl.

[13177]

19 minutes ago, Tohto said:

As usual, all talk only, so many law. No enforcement, only NATO. The most at tbe beginning wayang a few days. 

All the PMD, electric bike are zooming around dangerously why never catch.

Ya lo, talk only la, no one is there to enforce and also no cyclists would follow the new law. Everything would still be same same.

[Voodooman]

22 minutes ago, Tohto said:

As usual, all talk only, so many law. No enforcement, only NATO. The most at tbe beginning wayang a few days. 

All the PMD, electric bike are zooming around dangerously why never catch.

It is not realistic to totally eliminate the issue but we have far too many rules and regulations that are simply not enforced coz enforcement cost is high.  But it is the same groups of repeat offenders but they mostly come out at night.  

With AI, CCTV, public bao toh, govt agencies are not working together? 

 

Edited October 21, 2021 by Voodooman

[Voodooman]

https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/transport-workers-union-calls-more-enforcement-against-errant-cyclists-bus-lanes?fbclid=IwAR3O_3etxTWsYf7JPKMDUYtvOP3AUAPzEXXKO5-A-FUlMfcam1k1EiGJkvI

 

[Tohto]

6 minutes ago, Voodooman said:

It is not realistic to totally eliminate the issue but we have far too many rules and regulations that are simply not enforced coz enforcement cost is high.  But it is the same groups of repeat offenders but they mostly come out at night.  

With AI, CCTV, public bao toh, govt agencies are not working together? 

 

All the enforcement is always pushing àround,

LTA will say is police work, police will say is TP and TP push back to LTA.

Have see PMD riding illegally in front of police car, but no action from police. Because very simple to care they ill need to submit all the report. Must well act as no see. Or yhey are thinking PMD is always enforced by LTA.

Edited October 21, 2021 by Tohto

[Robin]

i think its a good start. some may ask why 5 not 6 or 7 pax... but i guess there's no magic number 

then its also about enforcement... like drivers, TP cant be everywhere, but at least now there is something official now 

I read someone mentioning that if u dont return your tray, the fine is $300. and if u can caught breaking the cycling rule.. the fine is $150.

so to be fair, i think the fine should be relooked in order to be in line with the offence.   

Edited October 21, 2021 by Robin

[Beregond]

I think all these is usless if we cannot identify those law breakers easily. Look at those  video in the reckless cyclist thread. How many of them breaking the 2 per group law now.

In bright day light  some more. As if the law dun apply  to  them.

[mersaylee]

"The review involved studying practices overseas, conducting public consultations and focus groups, as well as a survey." 

Wonder got include motorcyclist, driver, pmd rider, pedestrian, president or not 😁

[Soya]

19 minutes ago, Tohto said:

All the enforcement is always pushing àround,

LTA will say is police work, police will say is TP and TP push back to LTA.

Have see PMD riding illegally in front of police car, but no action from police. Because very simple to care they ill need to submit all the report. Must well act as no see. Or yhey are thinking PMD is always enforced by LTA.

Have witnessed it personally too. Was cycling on PCN where a few Cisco ppl were standing around to 'enforce'. This guy whizzed past on the road next to the PCN in what is clearly a modded PMD above 20kg n without a helmet, in full view of the Cisco ppl. 

Stopped n asked the Cisco guy why he didn't stop the illegal PMD that just went past him. His reply was it's not on PCN so not for him to enforce.

Cue my facepalm moment.....

 

[Watwheels]

16 minutes ago, Beregond said:

I think all these is usless if we cannot identify those law breakers easily. Look at those  video in the reckless cyclist thread. How many of them breaking the 2 per group law now.

In bright day light  some more. As if the law dun apply  to  them.

Yalor. If bicycles dont have a license plate means cannot bao toh or report and the cyclists can get away with it easily.

[kobayashiGT]

51 minutes ago, Thaiyotakamli said:

Now the allow group of 10 cyclist? Shouldnt be group of 2? 

aiyah. when they queue 2 line, then is group of 2 lor. better than they never queue at all. 🤣