Pedestrian-only path rules to be enforced reasonably; focus on errant cyclists: Baey Yam Keng

SINGAPORE – Officers will take a reasonable approach when enforcing the proper use of pedestrian-only paths, said Minister of State for Transport Baey Yam Keng, reassuring cyclists that they will not be unfairly targeted and fined.

In a Facebook post late on July 2, Mr Baey said the focus is on “errant cyclists who speed or ride in a reckless manner on paths”, putting others in danger.

From July 1, cyclists and users of non-motorised personal mobility devices (PMDs) such as kick scooters

can be penalised for riding on designated pedestrian-only footpaths

located in towns across Singapore.

These paths, marked with the words “pedestrians only”, are meant for pedestrians and users of personal mobility aids such as electric wheelchairs.

Cycling paths are painted red.

The demarcation of paths for pedestrians and cyclists “provides more certainty” for users and allows them to better anticipate each other’s movements, Mr Baey said.

“I understand cyclists are concerned about this change, and are worried about being targeted and fined,” he said.

He assured them that the Land Transport Authority’s (LTA) active mobility enforcement officers will “consider the ground situation”.

For example, a cyclist who has to momentarily ride on a pedestrian-only path to avoid an obstacle or to safely overtake slower-moving path users will not be penalised.

“But beyond rules, we need to cultivate a culture of gracious path sharing and protect the safety of the most vulnerable, especially with our ageing population,” Mr Baey said.

Bicycles and non-motorised PMDs remain permitted on shared footpaths.

Mr Francis Chu, co-founder of cycling group Love Cycling SG, welcomed Mr Baey’s assurance that the rules would be enforced in a reasonable manner.

This should take into account “real-world complexities”, he said.

Any penalties imposed should take into account the degree of harm caused and the intent of those involved, added Mr Chu, who previously sat on the Active Mobility Advisory Panel.

For example, a delivery rider who pauses on a pedestrian-only path to check an address poses a negligible risk to pedestrians, while one who weaves through crowds at speed is a bigger risk. “Laws should target behaviour, not geography,” Mr Chu said.

But, while the rules protect vulnerable path users in designated zones, “its limitations are evident”, he added.

These include the fact that pedestrians “face no penalties for (the) misuse” of cycling paths, and that cyclists “bear the full legal and financial risks despite temporary path use being unavoidable”, Mr Chu said.

Mr Cheong Tak Wai, founder of cycling group SG PCN Cyclist, said the implementation of pedestrian-only paths will not address the issue of dangerous cycling.

“Cyclists will still ride fast (and) recklessly on the red path,” he said. This would put pedestrians who venture onto the red path in danger, too.

In Singapore, cyclists on footpaths must adhere to a speed limit of 10kmh. On cycling paths and shared paths, the maximum speed limit is 25kmh.

Mr Cheong suggested that the penalties for cyclists should also be applied to pedestrians. All path users have to be educated, “not only the cyclists”, he said.

More than 200km of footpaths next to cycling lanes

have been turned into pedestrian-only paths

 since LTA announced the initiative in August 2024.

First-time offenders convicted of riding on a pedestrian-only path can be fined up to $2,000, or jailed for up to three months, or both.

Pedestrians who stray onto cycling paths will not face these penalties, though they should keep to the pedestrian-only path for their own safety, LTA said.

Property agent Jared Tan, 37, was emphatic that “pedestrians come first”, and pedestrian-only paths are necessary to “keep order”.

Though the paths for cyclists and pedestrians are equally wide, “you can’t make everyone happy”, he said, and there will be those – both cyclists and pedestrians – who are “self-entitled”.

Mr Eddy Lan, 54, said demarcating the paths helps everyone to stay in their respective lanes.

Still, he feels the onus should be on cyclists to watch out for pedestrians. “Pedestrians can’t cause cyclists any harm, so cyclists have to watch out for us,” said Mr Lan, who is self-employed.

Ms Serrim Tan, 58, said she understands why cyclists are unhappy. “I understand their concerns,” she said, adding that the penalties against cyclists are too harsh.

“Sometimes pedestrians don’t bother (staying in their lane),” said Ms Tan, an interviewer at a research company.

“But when you (get into an accident) and cause damage, the harm can’t be undone.

“We need more kindness. Life is important.”