Officers from the Land Transport Authority's (LTA) new Active Mobility Enforcement Team are well trained and experienced in stopping speeding cars and lorries on the roads.

But yesterday, they were hunting much smaller quarry.

Over two hours, at two bus stops in Woodlands Avenue 7, a team of three officers waved down cyclists and users of personal mobility devices, the first time that the LTA enforcement team was deployed.

Launched yesterday, the team will focus solely on policing pavements and cycling paths here.

The Government will likely pass laws later this year to give the team powers to hand out fines to speedsters and those who ride recklessly.

For now, the officers hand out brochures to cyclists with safety tips such as keeping to the left, and pushing their bikes in crowded areas.

During yesterday morning's operation, more than 180 of these brochures were handed out. Three advisory notices - given out to those who speed or ride recklessly - were also issued.

The Woodlands Avenue 7 stretch was chosen because it is used frequently by cyclists commuting to the nearby industrial estate.

The deputy manager of LTA's enforcement division, Mr Willy Soo, told The Straits Times: "Our targets are those who don't use the cycling path, or the (pavement) that bypasses the bus stop. We are targeting those who pose a higher threat to pedestrians."

Maintenance technician Shahreen Sace, 36, who rides his e-scooter from Admiralty to his workplace in Woodlands daily, was stopped by the officers for riding on the pavement. He was told to use the adjacent park connector instead.

Said Mr Shahreen: "This is a good move, it can help educate riders and increase awareness about safety."