SINGAPORE - An 85-year-old man who was riding a power-assisted bicycle on a slip road from the Pan-Island Expressway (PIE) died after an accident with a van on Sunday (Feb 11).

The police told The Straits Times that they were alerted to the accident along PIE towards Tuas on the slip road into Bedok North Avenue 3, at 2.27pm.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force dispatched an ambulance to the scene. The man was taken to hospital, which was alerted to be on standby to receive him.

"The cyclist, a 85-year-old man, was unconscious when conveyed to Changi General Hospital, where he subsequently succumbed to his injuries," said the police spokesman.

The accident comes just days after a new regulation for power-assisted bicycles kicked in.

From Feb 1 this year, all power-assisted bicycles must be registered and affixed with a valid Land Transport Authority (LTA) seal.

These include bicycles that are equipped with electric motors that assist in pedalling.

Anyone caught keeping or using an unregistered power-assisted bicycle or one without a valid number plate can be fined up to $2,000 and/or jailed up to three months.

Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan said in Parliament last month that about three accidents involving users of PMDs occur on public roads and paths each week.

Riders can register their devices online at www.onemotoring.com.sg.