Big jump in number of cyclists caught riding on expressways

The authorities are clamping down on cycling on expressways, with 245 people hauled up between January and September, a figure nearly four times that for the whole of last year.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) told The Sunday Times this week that the offenders used bicycles and electronic bikes, both of which are banned on highways.

The surge in rule-breakers comes amid greater interest in cycling as a hobby during the pandemic and more enforcement operations.

Last week, the Ministry of Transport said fines for errant cyclists will be raised from $75 to $150 from next year for offences such as cycling on expressways, not stopping at red lights or riding abreast of another on single-lane roads.

LTA said it has put up no-entry signs for bicycles at more than 50 entry points to expressways.

Recently, larger as well as more colourful and prominent signs reminding cyclists not to use expressways were installed at four busy locations - Upper Thomson Road (before the Seletar Expressway), Jalan Ahmad Ibrahim and Tuas West Road (before the Ayer Rajah Expressway), Jalan Anak Bukit (before the Pan-Island Expressway and Bukit Timah Expressway) and Balestier Road (before the Central Expressway).

"We are monitoring the situation closely and the signage will be deployed at other locations if necessary," LTA said.

It reminded all cyclists to observe prevailing regulations "for their own safety as well as that of other road users".

The increase in cyclists on roads has led to growing tensions between motorists and cyclists since last year, sparking calls that all bicycles should be registered.

The authorities have been seeking a balance so that people are not discouraged from cycling, given that its growing popularity bodes well for Singapore's aspirations to be a car-lite nation and the significant number of people who do it for work and commutes.

Mr Steven Lim, president of the safe cycling task force, said there are a number of reasons why cyclists end up on expressways, chief of which is that many use digital navigation tools that mark out highways as the shortest route.

Here are some rules that cyclists should adhere to on roads.

DO

• Obey traffic signals like traffic lights.

• Travel in the same direction as the flow of traffic.

• Wear a helmet.

• Ride as close to the left as practicable, and allow traffic to overtake you safely. Keep a straight course.

• Cycle in single file on single-lane roads and during bus lane operation hours.

• Keep a safe distance behind moving vehicles.

• Plan ahead and pick the safest route.

• Signal early.

• When in a group, keep to a maximum of five cyclists in a single file or 10 cyclists riding two abreast.

DON'T

• Ride on expressways or in road tunnels.

• Use your mobile phone while riding.

• Weave through traffic and make sudden swerves.

• Hold on to the back or side of motor vehicles.

• Squeeze between the kerb and a bus that has stopped at a bus stop, or a turning vehicle and a kerb.

Others ignore the prohibition out of convenience. A short stretch between Paya Lebar and Eunos on the PIE is especially popular among cyclists, as it cuts travelling time.

"Cyclists should study the road before they start off... Road planning is very important in terms of safe practices," he said. "But what is more important is public education. No amount of rules and improved infrastructure will stop errant cyclists completely."

Mr Jason Lim, director of Roads.sg, agreed. Most cyclists end up on expressways after taking a wrong turn, posing a danger to road users as they travel at a maximum of 40kmh versus drivers' 70 to 90kmh, he said.

Like the successful effort over the years against drink driving, good cycling practices require a "concerted and strong" education campaign.

"I'm not an advocate of registration or licensing, but... it is not just about cycling on expressways, but also other things like being aware of the blind spots of big vehicles and allowing motorised vehicles to pass safely," he said.

"A campaign like this would be two years too late but we need to act before a life is lost."