Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on Community Standards to Improve Etiquette for Motorised and Non-Motorised and Users and Pedestrians in Public Places

Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Transport 

a.     whether the Ministry will establish community standards, beyond existing regulations, to improve etiquette and reduce friction between motorised and non-motorised active mobility device users and pedestrians in public places; 

b.     whether these standards will include appropriate speeds for different situations, yielding to pedestrians, courteous bell use and keeping left when not overtaking; and 

c.     how will the Ministry widely propagate these standards, including to persons who are not proficient in English.

Reply by Minister for Transport Chee Hong Tat:

1.     Under the existing Active Mobility Code of Conduct for Users of Public Paths, guidelines are set out to encourage safe and gracious interactions between path users. For example, users of active mobility devices are advised to give way to pedestrians, slow down at intersections and crowded areas, and use bells and lights in a manner which is considerate to other path users. Pedestrians are also advised on appropriate etiquette, such as to keep left when not overtaking.

2.     To enhance safety for path users, we are converting footpaths adjacent to cycling paths into Pedestrian-Only Paths, with enforcement on converted Pedestrian-Only Paths from 1 July 2025.

3.     The Land Transport Authority (LTA) conducts public education and outreach to different user segments to propagate these guidelines and regulations. This includes public education campaigns, community engagements and school programmes. Publicity materials in vernacular languages are also available on LTA’s website. On the ground, enforcement officers engage and educate path users on proper path etiquette. I am heartened that many members of the public also volunteer as Active Mobility Community Ambassadors to educate pedestrians and device users in their communities, on rules and gracious path sharing. Coming from different backgrounds and ethnicities, the volunteers help to reach out to diverse groups of users, from seniors to migrant workers, including using the vernacular languages.