Written Reply by Minister for Transport S Iswaran to Parliamentary Question on Serious Accidents Involving Cyclists on Roads and Park Connectors in Last Five Years and Safety of Biking with Regulations on Speed Limit and Safety Standards

Ms Foo Mee Har asked the Minister for Transport 

a.     how many serious accidents involving cyclists happened on roads and park connectors in the last five years from 2017 to 2021; and 

b.     whether regulations on speed limit and safety standards have helped to improve the safety of biking.

Reply by Minister for Transport S Iswaran:
 
1.     From 2017 to 2021, there were an average of about 560 serious accidents each year involving cyclists on roads, and about 90 serious accidents each year on shared paths, i.e. cycling paths in towns, and park connectors islandwide.

2.     Over the years, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has introduced various regulations to promote the safe use of bicycles and power-assisted bicycles on roads and paths. These include speed limits of 25kph on cycling paths and 10kph on footpaths, which were last revised in 2018. It is difficult to assess the direct impact of each regulation on safety outcomes. But taken holistically, together with regular education campaigns and enforcement efforts, the number of serious accidents per year has remained relatively stable, notwithstanding the increasing popularity of cycling in recent years. LTA will continue to step up education and enforcement efforts, to strengthen knowledge of and compliance with safe cycling practices. At the same time, we urge all road and path users to continue to play their part to use our shared spaces in a responsible manner.