MOTORCYCLISTS ON PEDESTRIAN PAVEMENTS

MOTORCYCLISTS ON PEDESTRIAN PAVEMENTS: 12.

Mr Lim Biow Chuan asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs (a) how many traffic summonses have been issued against motorcyclists in the past 12 months for riding along pedestrian pavements; and (b)

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what actions will the Traffic Police take to reduce such dangerous practices.

Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M (for the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs): Sir, motorcyclists are prohibited from riding on footways of roads under Rule 28 of the Road Traffic (Bicycles) Rules. This offence can be compounded with a composition amount of $70. However, if prosecuted in court, the motorcyclist can be fined up to $1,000 or jailed up to three months. It is also an offence for motorcyclists to ride on HDB common property and open spaces such as void decks under the by-laws of most Town Councils. The offence can be compounded with a composition amount not exceeding $1,000. In 2009, more than 1,000 summonses were issued to motorcyclists for riding on footways. This is an increase of 28% over the previous year.

The Traffic Police takes strict enforcement action against motorcyclists who endanger themselves or others by riding on footways of roads recklessly or without due regard of others. The Traffic Police also engages key stakeholders, such as motorcycle clubs or organisations that employ a large fleet of riders, to remind the motorcyclists of the importance of obeying road traffic rules and to practise safe riding behaviours at all times. Some of these organisations take part in the "Ride Safe Ambassador" scheme, where the supervisors of teams of riders help spread road safety messages to fellow riders.

In 2009, the Traffic Police conducted more than 30 safe riding talks targeted at motorcyclists. As part of the "Ride Safe" campaign, the Traffic Police displayed table top advertisements and lamp post banners in tertiary education institutions such as NUS, NTU and polytechnics to promote road safety awareness among young riders. Members would have seen the key message last year was "Ride

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Safe. Don't Speed". The advertisements and banners also highlighted riding offences and their penalties.

As Traffic Police continues with enforcement action and public education programmes, like cyclists, motorcyclists must play their part in ensuring a safer road environment for all. They can do so by observing the road traffic rules at all times, not riding on footways of roads, and adopting a safety-conscious mindset. This will go a long way towards ensuring that other road users can also enjoy a safe and pleasant journey on our roads.

Mr Lim Biow Chuan: Sir, I was almost knocked down by a motorcyclist last month on my way to Serangoon Stadium. Maybe I was a bit agile, so I managed to avoid it. But he almost knocked into another woman right in front of me. Sir, I do notice that there are more and more motorcyclists riding along footpaths, so I was wondering whether more enforcement action would be sufficient to deter such irresponsible behaviour because I think it is pretty dangerous as they are moving at a faster speed than cyclists.

Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: I empathise with the Member for such a harrowing incident. Certainly, the Traffic Police takes a serious view especially of motorcyclists using pedestrian footways. But we have to look at this phenomenon in proportion to the number of accidents that actually happen on the roads to the motorcyclists themselves.

Last year, about 4,500 motorcyclists were killed or injured, of which 100 of them were actually killed, including the riders and about 10 pillion riders. So in proportion to the number of accidents on pavements, there were about 14 accidents that resulted in injuries from 2005 to this day. So, in proportion, the number of injuries actually far outweighed those on our roads than on the footways. We will continue to enforce in proportion. I think we have to put our people on the

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ground where it matters most, that is, put our education programmes in proportion, again to ensuring motorists take due care to ensure that they understand their own vulnerabilities when they are on the road and to respect the rights of use of other users on the road and not to use the footpaths when they are travelling from one place to another.