Bicycles to be registered to enhance road safety
There has been an increase in number of people cycling recklessly on the road and because of that, roads have become inherently dangerous. The public has made a call for bicycles to be registered in order to enhance road safety.
Review rules on cycling on the road
Senior Minister of Transport, Chee Hong Tat will conduct a review of the rules to see how road safety can be improved for both cyclists and motorists. Mr Chee said that they have to take into consideration of the current rules to see if they are relevant. Another point is to study the practices of other countries with good cycling culture to see if they can be adapted locally. Since the process should not be rushed as it is not only for the current situation but also for the future, the process may take "a few months", he added.
Obtain licence and register bicycle
The review panel was called after Singapore actor Tay Ping Hui shared a video of a group of cyclists disregarding the traffic rules and riding like “its their ah gong road”.
Chief Executive of Temasek Holdings, Madam Ho Chin made a post on Facebook in response to the incident as well. In her post, she mentioned that “bicycles and PMDs should be registered just like cars and buses”. She also added that the cyclists should obtain a licence like drivers. The registered bicycles and PMDs should also have 3rd party insurance. Singapore University of Social Sciences urban transport expert Park Byung Joon said registration of bicycles could help to promote safety. Registration of bicycles and making cyclists display a registration plate will put more responsibility on them to abide by the rules on the road knowing that they would be identified. We all know that licences for cyclists are not new. In 2013, former Member of Parliament Lee Bee Wah also proposed this suggestion. Cyclists has to take lessons on road safety before they are licensed to cycle. However, there are many difficulties faced. “Many bicycles are sold and change hands every year. The profile of cyclists is diverse, ranging from very young children to the elderly" said LTA's former director of active mobility Tan Shin Gee. Implementing a system to licence bicycles can be a very resource-intensive task. Mr Francis Chu, co-founder of cycling SG noted that if rules are too strict, it would discourage people from cycling. Therefore, he came out with a suggestion that both the cyclists and drivers go through an online test. Cyclist has to pass the test to cycle on the road. Their results will be checked by traffic police when needed. Want to read more articles? Click here!