RECKLESS CYCLISTS

RECKLESS CYCLISTS: * * *

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(Action against): **

32.

Ms Irene Ng Phek Hoong asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs (a) what action has been taken against reckless cyclists in Singapore; and (b) whether his Ministry has plans to reach out to schools to educate young cyclists on safe and responsible cycling habits.

Mr Wong Kan Seng: Cyclists who commit offences under the Road Traffic Act, or breach any road traffic rules such as those under the Road Traffic (Bicycles) Rules and the (Expressway Traffic) Rules are taken to task by Traffic Police. Breach of a road traffic rule is an offence under section 131 of the Road Traffic Act, which attracts a maximum penalty of a $1,000 fine or three months’ imprisonment for the first offence, and a $2,000 fine or six months’ imprisonment for a second or subsequent offence.

In cases where the cyclist conducts himself so recklessly that endangers the safety of others, he may also be punished under the Penal Code for acting rashly or negligently so as to endanger human life or the personal safety of others.

In 2007, a total of 340 summonses were issued to errant cyclists. The bulk of these, 190 summonses or 56%, were issued to cyclists for failing to ride in an orderly manner. This includes changing lane without due care, failing to have proper look out and failing to give way to traffic with right of way. Other common infringements by cyclists are riding on the expressways (17%), riding against traffic flow (11%) and failing to conform to red light signal (7%).

There are several road safety education programmes that target young cyclists. The Road Safety Community Park set up in 1981 educates our Primary School students on road safety by their participation in traffic games in a simulated road traffic environment. The students are given road safety tips as well as imparted with skill training on cycling by driving instructors from the driving centres. In 2007, about 150 of such training sessions were conducted at the Road Safety Community Park involving some 32,000 students.

Traffic Police also conducts road safety talks for pre-school, primary school and secondary school students. These talks cover road safety tips, including safe and responsible cycling habits. In 2007, a total of 21 such school talks were conducted involving some 16,000 children. In addition, Traffic Police held eight road safety exhibitions at various primary and secondary schools providing safety tips for cyclists.

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Finally, let me say that whilst motorists are advised to pay extra attention and keep a look out for vulnerable groups of road users such as cyclists, cyclists must also recognise their own vulnerability and do their part by riding safely, carefully and obeying traffic rules at all times.

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