Parliament: Careless behaviour of minority behind accidents involving cyclists and personal mobility device users

Cyclists pushing their bicycles across the road. ST PHOTO: CAROLINE CHIA

SINGAPORE - The "careless behaviour of a small minority" of cyclists and personal mobility device users has led to accidents that resulted in a public backlash against the proliferation of these devices, Senior Minister of State for Transport Josephine Teo told Parliament on Monday (Oct 10).

"It would be unfortunate if we allowed the careless behaviour of this small minority to prevent the large majority of responsible and considerate cyclists and personal mobility device users from enjoying the benefits of such travel modes," she added.

She was responding to questions from MPs, who had asked what measures were being taken to reduce the occurrence of accidents involving personal mobility devices (PMDs).

In total, eight MPs filed questions on the issue.

Mrs Teo added that there have been 12 reported on-road accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists from June 2015 to June this year.

"For off-road cases, police records currently do not distinguish between accidents caused by personal mobility devices or bicycles, and other offences causing hurt. Going forward, the Land Transport Authority (LTA), which is now the lead agency for active mobility, will be tracking these," she said.

Last month, a serious accident occurred in which a 53-year-old housewife was knocked down by an e-scooter in Pasir Ris. A 17-year-old e-scooter rider was arrested, and police investigations are ongoing.

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