Government Accepts Recommendations From The Active Mobility Advisory Panel to Enhance Road Safety

1.     The Ministry of Transport has accepted the Active Mobility Advisory Panel’s (AMAP) fifth review, which was submitted to the Government on 1 October 2021, to enhance road safety.

2.     The review by AMAP is timely given the growing popularity of cycling in recent years, with more people taking up cycling as a convenient and environmentally-friendly way to commute, while keeping fit at the same time. This has led to increased interactions between cyclists and other road users, and concerns about road safety when cyclists ride on roads.

3.     The Government thanks AMAP for thoroughly studying the issue over the past 6 months, and putting forth a set of recommendations that takes into consideration the perspective of all road users. AMAP has taken a balanced and fair-minded approach, with the aim of strengthening road safety for all. AMAP has also studied practices in other countries and incorporated relevant learning points in its recommendations.

Clearer Rules and Guidelines for Both Cyclists and Motorists from 1 January 2022

4.     The Government agrees with the AMAP that we should continue allowing cyclists to ride a maximum of two abreast on roads with two or more lanes, for safety and visibility. Cyclists would still be required to ride in single file on single-lane roads and in bus lanes during bus lane operational hours. Given space constraints on Singapore’s urban road network, we will also adopt the AMAP’s recommendation to limit cycling groups to a maximum length of five bicycles, which is approximately the length of a bus. This would mean a maximum of five cyclists in single file, or ten cyclists when riding two abreast (on roads where they are permitted to do so). This new rule will take effect from 1 January 2022.

5.     AMAP also recommended introducing the following guidelines as best practices: (a) cycling groups to keep a safe distance of approximately two lamp posts (or around 30m) between groups, and (b) motorists to have a minimum distance of 1.5m when passing cyclists on roads. Although these are not requirements for strict compliance in all situations, we agree that these are useful guidelines and should be followed where practicable to enhance road safety.

6.     We agree with AMAP that licensing of cyclists or registration of bicycles should not be introduced at this juncture. 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.

7.     We also agree with AMAP’s recommendation that all cyclists should be strongly encouraged to purchase third-party liability insurance to protect themselves from potential financial liabilities. We will continue working with insurance providers and cycling groups to promote the take up of third-party liability insurance.

Increased Composition Fines for Egregious On-Road Cycling Offences and Stronger Partnership in Public Education

8.     AMAP noted that while most motorists and cyclists are law-abiding, there are a small group of errant motorists and on-road cyclists who endanger the safety of others. We will step up enforcement actions against them.

9.     We will also increase the composition fines for errant cyclists from $75 to $150. The increased composition fines will take effect from 1 January 2022 (see

Annex

 for the applicable offences).

10.    For more serious cases, the cyclist may be charged in Court and face a fine of up to $1,000 and/or a jail term of up to 3 months for the first offence, and a fine of up to $2,000 and/or a jail term of up to 6 months for the second or subsequent offence.

11.    The Government will continue to partner stakeholders in its public education and outreach efforts, to raise public awareness and enhance clarity of new rules and guidelines. Safety is a shared responsibility and all stakeholders should continue to play their part and share road space graciously, responsibly and safely. We look forward to efforts from all stakeholders to improve safety consciousness and graciousness on our roads. This include efforts from public transport operators (PTOs) to enhance bus driver training materials, and to build mutual understanding between cyclists and bus captains through driver-simulations.

12.    AMAP’s report is available at:

https://go.gov.sg/83pvjz