MOTORCYCLISTS ON PEDESTRIAN WALKWAYS AND AT VOID DECKS

MOTORCYCLISTS ON PEDESTRIAN WALKWAYS AND AT VOID DECKS

35.

Ms Ellen Lee asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs (a) what enforcement actions have been taken by the police against errant motorcyclists who ride onto pedestrian walkways and void decks in HDB estates; and (b) whether there has been any action taken against SingPost and food delivery motorcyclists who ride on pedestrian walkways and void decks.

Mr Wong Kan Seng: Riding and parking on HDB common property and open spaces such as void decks are offences under the by-laws of most Town Councils. Riding on footways of roads is also prohibited under Rule 28 of the Road Traffic Rules.

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Town Councils have taken action and issued summonses against motorcyclists who park or ride on HDB common property and open spaces.

Traffic Police has also been taking enforcement action against motorcyclists who endanger themselves or others by riding recklessly or without due regard for others along footways of public roads. Traffic Police issued more than 850 summonses to motorcyclists for riding on footways in 2008, compared to 537 in 2006. In the first six months this year, more than 300 summonses were issued.

Enforcement is one pillar of Traffic Police’s approach towards road safety. Public education is another important pillar. Traffic Police has been engaging key stakeholders such as companies employing delivery riders, motorcycle clubs and tertiary institutions to remind them on the importance of obeying road traffic rules and practising safe riding at all times. This is done through regular road safety talks and dissemination of publicity materials.

As postal, courier and food delivery businesses typically employ larger fleets of motorcyclists, Traffic Police has leveraged on the 'Ride Safe' Campaign to introduce the 'Rider’s Ambassador' scheme in some of these organisations to spread the road safety message. Selected riding ambassadors help spread the message to other riders at their workplaces. One such participating company is McDonald’s. Traffic Police has also conducted safe riding talks with SingPost and will continue to do so as part of its overall road safety outreach efforts.

I would like to remind motorcyclists to not to ride on areas designated for pedestrians. Doing so makes them liable to punishment, and more importantly, puts the safety of both the pedestrian and the rider at risk.

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