CYCLISTS KILLED OR INJURED BY MOTOR VEHICLES (Statistics)

Mr Charles Chong asked the Minister for Home Affairs if he will provide statistics on the number of cyclists killed or seriously injured by vehicles on our roads from 1988 to 1997 compared to the number of pedestrians killed or seriously injured by cyclists on pedestrian walkways over the same period; and whether his Ministry will consider amending the Road Traffic Act to classify bicycles as vehicles.

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee (for the Minister for Home Affairs): Sir, statistics on the number of cyclists killed or injured by motor vehicles on our roads are readily available only for the period 1992-1997. On average, 15 cyclists were killed and 17 seriously injured each year in road accidents . A bicycle is currently already classified as a vehicle under the Road Traffic Act, and bicycle riders are deemed to be vehicle drivers. Under both Road Traffic and Pedestrian Crossing Rules, it is an offence to cycle on a footway or pedestrian crossing.

1.30 pm

Mr Speaker: Order. End of Question time.

[Pursuant to Standing Order No. 21(3), Written answers to Question Nos. 27-36, 38-51, 53-55 and 57-58 on the Order Paper are reproduced in the section, "Written Answers to Questions for Oral Answer Not Answered by 1.30 pm" (Cols. 157-188). Question Nos. 37, 52, 56 and 59 have been postponed to the next sitting of Parliament.]