when i go mountain biking, i have to be careful with mountain lions and sometimes bears depending on the trail.
-
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Sam Leong's band of brothers - cyclists
- Thread starter LITTLEREDDOT
- Start date
If they were in vehicles instead of being on bikes or PMDs, they would be safer from animal attacks.
but vehicles cannot go up on narrow trails.
That is why the majority of us avoid rush hours. Why do you think we start cycling at 5am in the morning on Saturdays and try to end by 10am.
I’ve seen him give chance several times including during Tour of Slovenia. That guy got the making of a true champ. While he did not need to take risk for stage win, I’m pretty sure he gave chance for the other two to win 2nd and 3rd yesterday.
another sad and tragic news. boryana straubel, former executive at tesla and wife of tesla cto jeffrey straubel, is dead after being struck by a car while cycling in nevada.
Avoiding rush hours is sensible. But Singapore roads dont tend to have sleep times.
It also sounds to me you cycle for leisure not as primary mode of transport.
Maybe LTA can offer certain quieter roads or routes for booking by the public. Close off the roads for leisure use?
Wont be the last sad case.
Where do cyclists belong? Not on roads or pedestrian paths, a new survey finds
In the survey commissioned by the programme Talking Point, many respondents also wanted more rules, as they felt there are more errant cyclists today on roads and pavements.View attachment 115719
Cyclists in Singapore. (Photo: Yeo Kai Ting)
By Neo Chai Chin
By Chan Luo Er@ChanLuoErCNA
08 Jul 2021
SINGAPORE: Even as an expert panel mulls over regulations for road cyclists, a survey has found cyclists to be between a rock and a hard place.
More than 90 per cent of 503 people surveyed think cyclists should be made to follow more rules. Yet, a majority do not want cyclists to be allowed on roads (59 per cent) and pedestrian paths (74 per cent).
More than 80 per cent of respondents also felt there are more errant cyclists today on both roads and pavements, found the online survey commissioned by the programme Talking Point.
Conducted between Apr 22 and Apr 27 by Mediacorp’s Media Research Consultants, it polled Singaporeans and permanent residents aged 18 to 64, of whom 68 per cent said they ride a bicycle, mainly for leisure or exercise.
View attachment 115722
A woman cycling past a row of shared bicycles parked outside Our Tampines Hub. (Photo: Facebook/Baey Yam Keng)
Talking Point will dive into the findings and more at 9.30pm today on Channel 5.
The discussion on this comes at a time when the Active Mobility Advisory Panel is reviewing rules for cyclists on roads and studying possible measures such as the registration of bicycles, licensing of cyclists and whether to make them take a theory test.
Senior Minister of State (Transport) Chee Hong Tat announced the review in April and said it could take a few months. The panel comprises members who represent groups such as senior citizens, youths, cyclists and motorists.
Cycling has become more popular in the last two years as people who are unable to travel seek out local adventures. The pool of food delivery riders has also grown.
Singapore’s cycling path network will expand from 460 km now to 800 km by 2023 and to more than 1,300 km by 2030, according to the Land Transport Authority (LTA).These paths will connect homes to MRT stations, bus interchanges and nearby shopping malls and schools.
View attachment 115721
One of the cycling paths in Tampines, identified in 2009 as Singapore's first cycling town. (Photo: Facebook/Baey Yam Keng)
This service is not intended for persons residing in the EU. By clicking subscribe, I agree to receive news updates and promotional material from Mediacorp and Mediacorp's partners.
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In a densely populated city, however, tensions continue to bubble between cyclists and other users of roads and pavements. And examples of bad behaviour on the roads and pavements continue to go viral on social media.
The worst behaviour of cyclists cited by the survey respondents turned out not to be road-related. Instead, it was speeding on footpaths.
Other types of bad behaviour cited include: Ignoring traffic lights, road-hogging, cycling on pedestrian footpaths and cycling against the flow of traffic on the roads.
On rules that should be implemented, nearly a quarter of the respondents agreed that road cyclists should take a standard theory test.
View attachment 115720
About one in five felt that cycling should be banned on some roads, while 15 per cent said it should be banned on all roads.
Others were in favour of registering all bicycles (18 per cent), mandating that cyclists wear bright clothes when riding (12 per cent) or making insurance with third-party coverage a requirement (9 per cent).
The LTA said in 2016 that it had studied cyclist and bicycle licensing. But it would be “resource-intensive to implement and police a system to license bicycles or cyclists that is up to date”, the then director of active mobility, Tan Shin Gee, said in a letter to The Straits Times.
A RANGE OF VIEWS ONLINE
CNA Insider’s Instagram community also weighed in with views on cycling rules and where cyclists should use their two-wheelers.
View attachment 115723
A cyclist wearing a protective mask rides past in a housing estate in Singapore. (File photo: Reuters/Edgar Su)
Pedestrians said it is stressful to keep watching out for cyclists who speed or ring their bell impatiently on footpaths. Yet, some also felt that roads are unsafe for cyclists unless there is a designated lane for them.
Junior college student Sora Wang Zhiyu feels bad about scaring parents with young children or the elderly when she rides on footpaths. But the 20-year-old is not a highly skilled cyclist and is afraid to go on the road with buses and cars.
Social media users who called for better infrastructure, like dedicated bike lanes and wider footpaths, noted that cycling is an environmentally friendly mode of transport that should be promoted.
But some were realistic about space limitations; for example, wider pavements might come at the expense of roadside trees.Ms Then, a leisure cyclist who preferred not to give her full name, said it is “quite impossible” for cyclists and pedestrians to coexist on footpaths, “since there are no rules for pedestrians and cyclists to keep left”.
“Pedestrians going in opposite directions already clash with one another, since most people’s eyes are glued to their mobile phones,” said the 35-year-old.
“It’s better for cyclists to go on the road, but some don’t even wear helmets when riding or know basic traffic rules/hand signals.”
Undergraduate Kristy Chin, 25, said “casual” cyclists running errands or going to the market should be allowed on footpaths — as they do not travel at high speed and usually look out for pedestrians — but not those who use road bicycles or cycle in groups.
Many agreed that some rules, as well as a generous dose of consideration for others, are needed to avoid accidents and disputes.
Instagram user @thad.ho said some accidents could happen in areas with blind spots or when pedestrians dash for the bus, and also when cyclists speed up to catch the green man at traffic lights or go down slopes without braking.
“Whatever it may be, we need awareness of our surroundings and situations. Not just fines, (bans) or complaints,” he said.
Mr Chee said in April that the review will be done in a “balanced” manner so as not to inadvertently discourage cycling.
cyclinguk.org
2-3 minutes
Cycling UK has been closely involved in pre-consultation with the Department for Transport, and we’re delighted that many of the new rules we’ve suggested have been included in the review proposals, including:
The consultation on the changes ran from 28 July to 27 October 2020, and you can read our full consultation response online. We're delighted that we saw our largest ever campaign response, with over 16,500 people writing to the Department of Transport to support changes which will make our roads safer for cycling.
However, there's still work to do, and any changes which are made must be well communicated and publicised to road users, to ensure they are adopted by people driving, cycling and walking.
A safer Highway Code for cyclists
2-3 minutes
Cycling UK has been closely involved in pre-consultation with the Department for Transport, and we’re delighted that many of the new rules we’ve suggested have been included in the review proposals, including:
- The introduction of the 'Hierarchy of Users' or ‘Hierarchy of Responsibility’, recognising that road users who pose greater risks to others ought to have a higher level of responsibility.
- Simplification of the rules relating to non-signalised junctions, which will make junctions safer and address ‘left-hook’ collision
- New rules to tackle dangerous overtaking and ‘close passes’, with a guideline minimum safe passing distance of 1.5m
- The inclusion of the Dutch Reach, to help prevent ‘car-dooring’
The consultation on the changes ran from 28 July to 27 October 2020, and you can read our full consultation response online. We're delighted that we saw our largest ever campaign response, with over 16,500 people writing to the Department of Transport to support changes which will make our roads safer for cycling.
However, there's still work to do, and any changes which are made must be well communicated and publicised to road users, to ensure they are adopted by people driving, cycling and walking.
No evidence of foul play in death of cyclist dragged by bus: Coroner
Cyclist German Jr Miranda Gonzales was hit and dragged by a bus for about 35m on March 19, 2021.
PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
Dominic Low
Sep 6, 2021
SINGAPORE - A cyclist who was killed after being hit and dragged by a bus for about 35m had crossed the road despite the traffic light being in the vehicle's favour.
The cause of Mr German Jr Miranda Gonzales' death was multiple injuries consistent with those from a road traffic accident, said the state coroner in his findings dated Aug 31.
"There is no evidence of foul play in Mr Gonzales' death," added State Coroner Adam Nakhoda.
The accident occurred at the junction of Pasir Ris Drive 1 and Loyang Avenue on the night of March 19.
The SBS Transit bus, driven by Mr Ku Chee Kong, was approaching the junction while the traffic light was in its favour.
While making a right turn into Loyang Avenue, the bus struck Mr Gonzales, a 31-year-old Filipino, who was cycling across the junction's pedestrian crossing.
Footage from a Land Transport Authority camera showed that Mr Ku had flashed the high beams of the bus twice - when Mr Gonzales was entering the pedestrian crossing and when the cyclist was in front of the vehicle.
Mr Ku had claimed that he had not seen Mr Gonzales and that it was his normal routine to flash the bus' high beams when entering a major road junction.
The driver had also said that he did not immediately slow down after feeling an impact at the front of the bus, as there were other vehicles approaching from the rear.
Mr Ku only stopped the bus after completing the right turn. As a result, Mr Gonzales and his bicycle were dragged for about 35m.
The cyclist suffered multiple injuries - including to his ribs, lungs and heart - and was pronounced dead by paramedics at the scene at about 11.30pm.
In his findings, State Coroner Nakhoda noted that Mr Gonzales was found to have 221mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.
The accident occurred at the junction of Pasir Ris Drive 1 and Loyang Avenue on the night of March 19, 2021. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
He highlighted the opinion of Associate Professor Teo Eng Swee, a senior consultant forensic pathologist, who had said a person with such a level of alcohol in his blood might be expected to be "obviously drunk, with signs and symptoms like nausea, being unsteady on the feet, and staggering while walking".
The state coroner noted two hypothetical scenarios where the collision could have been avoided, which were raised in a report by the Health Sciences Authority.
In the first, the collision could have been avoided if Mr Ku had applied the brakes instead of flashing the bus' high beams the first time.
In the second scenario, the accident would not have happened if the driver had jammed the brakes when Mr Gonzales entered the pedestrian crossing. Even if his perception-response time was 2.3 seconds - in the slower end of the typical range for drivers where stopping the collision was unlikely - he may have avoided driving over Mr Gonzales and the bicycle, stated the report.
State Coroner Nakhoda also extended his condolences to Mr Gonzales' family.
Court records do not show if Mr Ku, who was arrested after the event, has been dealt with over the incident.
Chinese-language daily Shin Min Daily News earlier reported that Mr Gonzales was an aircraft technician and leaves behind a wife and two children in the Philippines.
Not true, I don’t… my foldie is much cheaper
Brompton and their clones are everywhere, Just observe when you are out.
Bernard Tay, chairman of the Singapore Road Safety Council told ST: "If everybody plays by the rules and behaves, there will be fewer accidents."
Bernard is living in a utopia world. If rules and fines have to be implemented to make diners return trays and cutlery, why do Bernard and the LTA think that motorists and cyclists will play by the rules?
On weekend nights, hundreds of cyclists ply Tanah Merah Coast Road. But the increase in cycling activities close to motorists, particularly lorries who are seen running red lights, is a cause for concern, say experts.
Zaihan Mohamed Yusof
Sep 28, 2021
SINGAPORE - Traffic rules appear to be taking a back seat among lorry drivers, motorcyclists and bike riders in Tanah Merah Coast Road, part of a popular route among cyclists.
This is a cause for concern, say road safety advocates.
Motorists and riders have been seen running red lights and making illegal U-turns at a junction of the road close to Changi Naval Base, along the route taken by cyclists to get to and from Changi Village.
On weekend nights, hundreds of cyclists ply the road.
Some use the Park Connector Network (PCN) while others take the bicycle lanes - often in close proximity to some heavy vehicles that do not slow down or come to a stop when the traffic lights turn red at the junction.
Cyclist Soraya Abdullah, 27, prefers using the PCN as many tipper truck drivers appear to be in a rush.
She told The Straits Times: "They rule the roads here and you usually hear them approaching before you see them. If there is a red light camera here (at the junction), I'm sure they will all slow down."
Weekend cyclist Thomas Lim said a lorry had recently overtaken him with barely 30cm of space between the two parties near Changi Cargo Complex.
However, Mr Lim, who is in his 50s, said the road near the naval base has more space - three lanes for motorists and one for cyclists - to manoeuvre safely.
The risky driving behaviour in Tanah Merah Coast Road goes against the downtrend in the number of red-light running violations and accidents in the first half of 2021.
Red-light violations dipped 0.8 per cent to 23,952 in the six months ended June from 24,147 a year ago while red-light running accidents fell to 47 from 51.
Average Speed Cameras, which detect vehicles moving faster than 70kmh along 4km of Tanah Merah Coast Road, end about 100m before the naval base junction.
After leaving the enforcement area, some heavy vehicles ignore the lower speed limit of 60kmh.
Mr Bernard Tay, chairman of the Singapore Road Safety Council, said that sometimes when nobody is watching in the early morning, motorists will take chances.
He called for people to observe the rules, noting that it is a matter of a couple of minutes' wait.
He told ST: "If everybody plays by the rules and behaves, there will be fewer accidents."
There have been a handful of close shaves and accidents between heavy vehicles and other road users, including cyclists, posted on Facebook and YouTube in the last one year.
Cyclists, some of whom do not wear helmets or have lights on their bicycles, can also be seen putting themselves in danger by gunning across red lights.
Mr Steven Lim, 54, vice-president of safety and education at Singapore Cycling Federation, said there is no excuse for flouting traffic signals.
He said: "For many years, we keep saying that cyclists are also road users. But if cyclists want people to take them seriously, they have to respect the (traffic) rules."
Mr Lee Wai Mun, chief executive of Automobile Association of Singapore, is concerned that some tipper truck drivers are paid on a per-trip basis, which could cause them to rush deliveries.
Continued education, such as taking defensive driving refresher courses, should be encouraged. As it is not a requirement, the take-up from heavy vehicle drivers is low, said Mr Lee, referring to AA Singapore's Crash Prevention Course.
He urges motorists to share the road space because of Singapore's limited infrastructure.
"We get feedback from motorists who say they nearly run into cyclists because as they approach a junction, the cyclist zooms out from nowhere," said Mr Lee.
The Traffic Police said it will not hesitate to take tough enforcement action against errant motorists who choose to flout the traffic rules and endanger other road users.
"Speeding and red-light running are serious traffic offences that can cause injury and death," a police spokesman told ST.
"Motorists and cyclists are advised to take the necessary precautions when driving or riding on roads such as being alert at the time, always keeping a proper lookout, and abiding by all traffic rules."
This is when hundreds of cyclists use the Park Connector Network and bicycle lanes at a junction near Changi Naval Base on Tanah Merah Coast Road.
Heavy vehicles, especially some tipper trucks, have been spotted on both sides of the road running red lights.
Motorcycles are also prone to doing the same when the roads are emptier after midnight.
The motorcycle furthest from the camera has just run the red light at the junction close to Changi Naval Base on Tanah Merah Coast Road. ST PHOTO: ZAIHAN YUSOF
The incidents were observed by The Straits Times, which kept watch on the area from June to September following feedback by cyclists.
They had said that heavy vehicles plying Tanah Merah Coast Road have been speeding and running red lights at the junction.
The hours of video and camera footage of the nocturnal driving habits also showed that while most cyclists follow traffic rules, others who ride in a large convoy consciously speed up near the junction.
Near the junction along Tanah Merah Coast Road towards the ECP, a bicycle lane sits on the left of three lanes for vehicles. ST PHOTO: ZAIHAN YUSOF
They include a handful of cyclists who ride diagonally - from the left side of the bicycle lane to the right of the road - in order to make illegal U-turns.
It appeared that most of the tipper trucks know that the red light turns green after about 20 seconds.
Some lorry drivers coast in anticipation of the lights turning. A few get it wrong when they overshoot the stop line as the light turns red.
The risky driving and riding behaviour is not limited to Tanah Merah Coast Road.
Such behaviour is commonly seen in industrial areas such as Kranji, Sungei Kadut and Tuas, places that ST had also observed following tip-offs from the public.
While the focus is on failure to stop at traffic junctions due to red lights, some people in Kallang and Toa Payoh have also warned that even "Stop" signs are being ignored by motorists.
Motorists failing to give way to a pedestrian at a pedestrian crossing in Toa Payoh North last week. ST PHOTO: ZAIHAN YUSOF
A 70-year-old cleaner, who gave her name only as Madam Choy, told ST she dreads crossing Toa Payoh North to get to her workplace, Xin Yuan Community Centre at Block 205. She said: "Cars don't slow down or stop when you stand next to the pedestrian crossing. So, I wait for them to move off before I cross the road."
Just before the pedestrian crossing, the roads are marked with "Stop" signs.
ST's video footage showed most vehicles do not stop even though they are required to under the law.
Bernard is living in a utopia world. If rules and fines have to be implemented to make diners return trays and cutlery, why do Bernard and the LTA think that motorists and cyclists will play by the rules?
At this Tanah Merah junction, red does not mean stop for speeding drivers and cyclists
On weekend nights, hundreds of cyclists ply Tanah Merah Coast Road. But the increase in cycling activities close to motorists, particularly lorries who are seen running red lights, is a cause for concern, say experts.
Zaihan Mohamed Yusof
Sep 28, 2021
SINGAPORE - Traffic rules appear to be taking a back seat among lorry drivers, motorcyclists and bike riders in Tanah Merah Coast Road, part of a popular route among cyclists.
This is a cause for concern, say road safety advocates.
Motorists and riders have been seen running red lights and making illegal U-turns at a junction of the road close to Changi Naval Base, along the route taken by cyclists to get to and from Changi Village.
On weekend nights, hundreds of cyclists ply the road.
Some use the Park Connector Network (PCN) while others take the bicycle lanes - often in close proximity to some heavy vehicles that do not slow down or come to a stop when the traffic lights turn red at the junction.
Cyclist Soraya Abdullah, 27, prefers using the PCN as many tipper truck drivers appear to be in a rush.
She told The Straits Times: "They rule the roads here and you usually hear them approaching before you see them. If there is a red light camera here (at the junction), I'm sure they will all slow down."
Weekend cyclist Thomas Lim said a lorry had recently overtaken him with barely 30cm of space between the two parties near Changi Cargo Complex.
However, Mr Lim, who is in his 50s, said the road near the naval base has more space - three lanes for motorists and one for cyclists - to manoeuvre safely.
The risky driving behaviour in Tanah Merah Coast Road goes against the downtrend in the number of red-light running violations and accidents in the first half of 2021.
Red-light violations dipped 0.8 per cent to 23,952 in the six months ended June from 24,147 a year ago while red-light running accidents fell to 47 from 51.
Average Speed Cameras, which detect vehicles moving faster than 70kmh along 4km of Tanah Merah Coast Road, end about 100m before the naval base junction.
After leaving the enforcement area, some heavy vehicles ignore the lower speed limit of 60kmh.
Mr Bernard Tay, chairman of the Singapore Road Safety Council, said that sometimes when nobody is watching in the early morning, motorists will take chances.
He called for people to observe the rules, noting that it is a matter of a couple of minutes' wait.
He told ST: "If everybody plays by the rules and behaves, there will be fewer accidents."
There have been a handful of close shaves and accidents between heavy vehicles and other road users, including cyclists, posted on Facebook and YouTube in the last one year.
Cyclists, some of whom do not wear helmets or have lights on their bicycles, can also be seen putting themselves in danger by gunning across red lights.
Mr Steven Lim, 54, vice-president of safety and education at Singapore Cycling Federation, said there is no excuse for flouting traffic signals.
He said: "For many years, we keep saying that cyclists are also road users. But if cyclists want people to take them seriously, they have to respect the (traffic) rules."
Mr Lee Wai Mun, chief executive of Automobile Association of Singapore, is concerned that some tipper truck drivers are paid on a per-trip basis, which could cause them to rush deliveries.
Continued education, such as taking defensive driving refresher courses, should be encouraged. As it is not a requirement, the take-up from heavy vehicle drivers is low, said Mr Lee, referring to AA Singapore's Crash Prevention Course.
He urges motorists to share the road space because of Singapore's limited infrastructure.
"We get feedback from motorists who say they nearly run into cyclists because as they approach a junction, the cyclist zooms out from nowhere," said Mr Lee.
The Traffic Police said it will not hesitate to take tough enforcement action against errant motorists who choose to flout the traffic rules and endanger other road users.
"Speeding and red-light running are serious traffic offences that can cause injury and death," a police spokesman told ST.
"Motorists and cyclists are advised to take the necessary precautions when driving or riding on roads such as being alert at the time, always keeping a proper lookout, and abiding by all traffic rules."
Vehicles seen ignoring red lights, stop signs
The drama usually begins after 10pm between Thursdays and Saturdays.This is when hundreds of cyclists use the Park Connector Network and bicycle lanes at a junction near Changi Naval Base on Tanah Merah Coast Road.
Heavy vehicles, especially some tipper trucks, have been spotted on both sides of the road running red lights.
Motorcycles are also prone to doing the same when the roads are emptier after midnight.
The incidents were observed by The Straits Times, which kept watch on the area from June to September following feedback by cyclists.
They had said that heavy vehicles plying Tanah Merah Coast Road have been speeding and running red lights at the junction.
The hours of video and camera footage of the nocturnal driving habits also showed that while most cyclists follow traffic rules, others who ride in a large convoy consciously speed up near the junction.
They include a handful of cyclists who ride diagonally - from the left side of the bicycle lane to the right of the road - in order to make illegal U-turns.
It appeared that most of the tipper trucks know that the red light turns green after about 20 seconds.
Some lorry drivers coast in anticipation of the lights turning. A few get it wrong when they overshoot the stop line as the light turns red.
The risky driving and riding behaviour is not limited to Tanah Merah Coast Road.
Such behaviour is commonly seen in industrial areas such as Kranji, Sungei Kadut and Tuas, places that ST had also observed following tip-offs from the public.
While the focus is on failure to stop at traffic junctions due to red lights, some people in Kallang and Toa Payoh have also warned that even "Stop" signs are being ignored by motorists.
A 70-year-old cleaner, who gave her name only as Madam Choy, told ST she dreads crossing Toa Payoh North to get to her workplace, Xin Yuan Community Centre at Block 205. She said: "Cars don't slow down or stop when you stand next to the pedestrian crossing. So, I wait for them to move off before I cross the road."
Just before the pedestrian crossing, the roads are marked with "Stop" signs.
ST's video footage showed most vehicles do not stop even though they are required to under the law.
Is there no traffic cams at that traffic light? The LTA will make a killing on the fines aloneBernard Tay, chairman of the Singapore Road Safety Council told ST: "If everybody plays by the rules and behaves, there will be fewer accidents."
Bernard is living in a utopia world. If rules and fines have to be implemented to make diners return trays and cutlery, why do Bernard and the LTA think that motorists and cyclists will play by the rules?
At this Tanah Merah junction, red does not mean stop for speeding drivers and cyclists
On weekend nights, hundreds of cyclists ply Tanah Merah Coast Road. But the increase in cycling activities close to motorists, particularly lorries who are seen running red lights, is a cause for concern, say experts.
Zaihan Mohamed Yusof
Sep 28, 2021
SINGAPORE - Traffic rules appear to be taking a back seat among lorry drivers, motorcyclists and bike riders in Tanah Merah Coast Road, part of a popular route among cyclists.
This is a cause for concern, say road safety advocates.
Motorists and riders have been seen running red lights and making illegal U-turns at a junction of the road close to Changi Naval Base, along the route taken by cyclists to get to and from Changi Village.
On weekend nights, hundreds of cyclists ply the road.
Some use the Park Connector Network (PCN) while others take the bicycle lanes - often in close proximity to some heavy vehicles that do not slow down or come to a stop when the traffic lights turn red at the junction.
Cyclist Soraya Abdullah, 27, prefers using the PCN as many tipper truck drivers appear to be in a rush.
She told The Straits Times: "They rule the roads here and you usually hear them approaching before you see them. If there is a red light camera here (at the junction), I'm sure they will all slow down."
Weekend cyclist Thomas Lim said a lorry had recently overtaken him with barely 30cm of space between the two parties near Changi Cargo Complex.
However, Mr Lim, who is in his 50s, said the road near the naval base has more space - three lanes for motorists and one for cyclists - to manoeuvre safely.
The risky driving behaviour in Tanah Merah Coast Road goes against the downtrend in the number of red-light running violations and accidents in the first half of 2021.
Red-light violations dipped 0.8 per cent to 23,952 in the six months ended June from 24,147 a year ago while red-light running accidents fell to 47 from 51.
Average Speed Cameras, which detect vehicles moving faster than 70kmh along 4km of Tanah Merah Coast Road, end about 100m before the naval base junction.
After leaving the enforcement area, some heavy vehicles ignore the lower speed limit of 60kmh.
Mr Bernard Tay, chairman of the Singapore Road Safety Council, said that sometimes when nobody is watching in the early morning, motorists will take chances.
He called for people to observe the rules, noting that it is a matter of a couple of minutes' wait.
He told ST: "If everybody plays by the rules and behaves, there will be fewer accidents."
There have been a handful of close shaves and accidents between heavy vehicles and other road users, including cyclists, posted on Facebook and YouTube in the last one year.
Cyclists, some of whom do not wear helmets or have lights on their bicycles, can also be seen putting themselves in danger by gunning across red lights.
Mr Steven Lim, 54, vice-president of safety and education at Singapore Cycling Federation, said there is no excuse for flouting traffic signals.
He said: "For many years, we keep saying that cyclists are also road users. But if cyclists want people to take them seriously, they have to respect the (traffic) rules."
Mr Lee Wai Mun, chief executive of Automobile Association of Singapore, is concerned that some tipper truck drivers are paid on a per-trip basis, which could cause them to rush deliveries.
Continued education, such as taking defensive driving refresher courses, should be encouraged. As it is not a requirement, the take-up from heavy vehicle drivers is low, said Mr Lee, referring to AA Singapore's Crash Prevention Course.
He urges motorists to share the road space because of Singapore's limited infrastructure.
"We get feedback from motorists who say they nearly run into cyclists because as they approach a junction, the cyclist zooms out from nowhere," said Mr Lee.
The Traffic Police said it will not hesitate to take tough enforcement action against errant motorists who choose to flout the traffic rules and endanger other road users.
"Speeding and red-light running are serious traffic offences that can cause injury and death," a police spokesman told ST.
"Motorists and cyclists are advised to take the necessary precautions when driving or riding on roads such as being alert at the time, always keeping a proper lookout, and abiding by all traffic rules."
Vehicles seen ignoring red lights, stop signs
The drama usually begins after 10pm between Thursdays and Saturdays.
This is when hundreds of cyclists use the Park Connector Network and bicycle lanes at a junction near Changi Naval Base on Tanah Merah Coast Road.
Heavy vehicles, especially some tipper trucks, have been spotted on both sides of the road running red lights.
Motorcycles are also prone to doing the same when the roads are emptier after midnight.
The motorcycle furthest from the camera has just run the red light at the junction close to Changi Naval Base on Tanah Merah Coast Road. ST PHOTO: ZAIHAN YUSOF
The incidents were observed by The Straits Times, which kept watch on the area from June to September following feedback by cyclists.
They had said that heavy vehicles plying Tanah Merah Coast Road have been speeding and running red lights at the junction.
The hours of video and camera footage of the nocturnal driving habits also showed that while most cyclists follow traffic rules, others who ride in a large convoy consciously speed up near the junction.
Near the junction along Tanah Merah Coast Road towards the ECP, a bicycle lane sits on the left of three lanes for vehicles. ST PHOTO: ZAIHAN YUSOF
They include a handful of cyclists who ride diagonally - from the left side of the bicycle lane to the right of the road - in order to make illegal U-turns.
It appeared that most of the tipper trucks know that the red light turns green after about 20 seconds.
Some lorry drivers coast in anticipation of the lights turning. A few get it wrong when they overshoot the stop line as the light turns red.
The risky driving and riding behaviour is not limited to Tanah Merah Coast Road.
Such behaviour is commonly seen in industrial areas such as Kranji, Sungei Kadut and Tuas, places that ST had also observed following tip-offs from the public.
While the focus is on failure to stop at traffic junctions due to red lights, some people in Kallang and Toa Payoh have also warned that even "Stop" signs are being ignored by motorists.
Motorists failing to give way to a pedestrian at a pedestrian crossing in Toa Payoh North last week. ST PHOTO: ZAIHAN YUSOF
A 70-year-old cleaner, who gave her name only as Madam Choy, told ST she dreads crossing Toa Payoh North to get to her workplace, Xin Yuan Community Centre at Block 205. She said: "Cars don't slow down or stop when you stand next to the pedestrian crossing. So, I wait for them to move off before I cross the road."
Just before the pedestrian crossing, the roads are marked with "Stop" signs.
ST's video footage showed most vehicles do not stop even though they are required to under the law.
After spending so much time and resources to set up committee/panel, nothing will change. 
The panel added that cyclists are strongly encouraged to take up third-party liability insurance.ST PHOTO: SYAMIL SAPARI
Toh Ting Wei
Oct 1, 2021
SINGAPORE - A panel tasked with reviewing the rules for on-road cycling has recommended that cyclists limit their group length to a maximum of five bicycles in a single file.
"If the group is considered a slow-moving vehicle on the road, it is about the length of a bus," said the Active Mobility Advisory Panel (AMAP).
This was one of several recommendations the panel made in a report which was submitted to Minister for Transport S. Iswaran on Friday (Oct 1).
The AMAP also said that bicycle registration and licensing of cyclists are not recommended at this point, due to various disadvantages.
It said: "Such measures could also raise barriers to the take-up of cycling in Singapore and disproportionately affect more vulnerable groups of cyclists, including seniors and individuals who rely on bicycles for work and commute."
There was also no evidence from other countries that "such resource-intensive regimes are effective in deterring errant cycling, or enhancing road safety", it said.
The AMAP also recommended that cyclists be allowed to continue riding two abreast on roads with two or more lanes "for their safety and visibility".
In addition, it said a guideline should be introduced in the Highway Code and driving test handbooks for motorists to keep a minimum distance of 1.5m when passing cyclists on roads. This will provide greater clarity on how road users should interact to enhance safety.
The AMAP had previously given recommendations on other issues such as rules around the use of electric scooters, with the recommendations generally taken up by the Government.
It had been tasked by the Government to look into rules for on-road cycling after a debate erupted online in April over whether rules should be tightened.
On the proposed new rule to limit the group length of cyclists, the panel said that it would facilitate safer interactions among road users while providing flexibility for cyclists to ride in groups. The rule would allow "a maximum group size of five cyclists in a single file or 10 cyclists when riding abreast".
The panel also called for the introduction of a guideline for cyclists to keep a safe distance of about two lamp posts, or around 30m, between riding groups.
It added that cyclists are strongly encouraged to take up third-party liability insurance, which aids compensation to victims in accidents. The insurance will protect cyclists from potentially expensive claims.
The rule would allow "a maximum group size of five cyclists in a single file or 10 cyclists when riding abreast". PHOTO: ST FILE
In its final recommendation, the panel urged the Government to step up public education efforts among road users, such as the development of a new on-road safety practical guide for motorists and cyclists.
"While most cyclists are law-abiding, the panel recommends that the Government take firm enforcement action against errant riders to deter errant behaviours, as road safety is a shared responsibility and all users have a role to play," the panel added.
The Transport Ministry will review the recommendations before giving its response.
No bicycle registration needed; motorists should keep 1.5m distance when passing cyclists: Panel
The panel added that cyclists are strongly encouraged to take up third-party liability insurance.ST PHOTO: SYAMIL SAPARI
Toh Ting Wei
Oct 1, 2021
SINGAPORE - A panel tasked with reviewing the rules for on-road cycling has recommended that cyclists limit their group length to a maximum of five bicycles in a single file.
"If the group is considered a slow-moving vehicle on the road, it is about the length of a bus," said the Active Mobility Advisory Panel (AMAP).
This was one of several recommendations the panel made in a report which was submitted to Minister for Transport S. Iswaran on Friday (Oct 1).
The AMAP also said that bicycle registration and licensing of cyclists are not recommended at this point, due to various disadvantages.
It said: "Such measures could also raise barriers to the take-up of cycling in Singapore and disproportionately affect more vulnerable groups of cyclists, including seniors and individuals who rely on bicycles for work and commute."
There was also no evidence from other countries that "such resource-intensive regimes are effective in deterring errant cycling, or enhancing road safety", it said.
The AMAP also recommended that cyclists be allowed to continue riding two abreast on roads with two or more lanes "for their safety and visibility".
In addition, it said a guideline should be introduced in the Highway Code and driving test handbooks for motorists to keep a minimum distance of 1.5m when passing cyclists on roads. This will provide greater clarity on how road users should interact to enhance safety.
The AMAP had previously given recommendations on other issues such as rules around the use of electric scooters, with the recommendations generally taken up by the Government.
It had been tasked by the Government to look into rules for on-road cycling after a debate erupted online in April over whether rules should be tightened.
On the proposed new rule to limit the group length of cyclists, the panel said that it would facilitate safer interactions among road users while providing flexibility for cyclists to ride in groups. The rule would allow "a maximum group size of five cyclists in a single file or 10 cyclists when riding abreast".
The panel also called for the introduction of a guideline for cyclists to keep a safe distance of about two lamp posts, or around 30m, between riding groups.
It added that cyclists are strongly encouraged to take up third-party liability insurance, which aids compensation to victims in accidents. The insurance will protect cyclists from potentially expensive claims.
In its final recommendation, the panel urged the Government to step up public education efforts among road users, such as the development of a new on-road safety practical guide for motorists and cyclists.
"While most cyclists are law-abiding, the panel recommends that the Government take firm enforcement action against errant riders to deter errant behaviours, as road safety is a shared responsibility and all users have a role to play," the panel added.
The Transport Ministry will review the recommendations before giving its response.
After spending so much time and resources to set up committee/panel, nothing will change.
No bicycle registration needed; motorists should keep 1.5m distance when passing cyclists: Panel
The panel added that cyclists are strongly encouraged to take up third-party liability insurance.ST PHOTO: SYAMIL SAPARI
Toh Ting Wei
Oct 1, 2021
SINGAPORE - A panel tasked with reviewing the rules for on-road cycling has recommended that cyclists limit their group length to a maximum of five bicycles in a single file.
"If the group is considered a slow-moving vehicle on the road, it is about the length of a bus," said the Active Mobility Advisory Panel (AMAP).
This was one of several recommendations the panel made in a report which was submitted to Minister for Transport S. Iswaran on Friday (Oct 1).
The AMAP also said that bicycle registration and licensing of cyclists are not recommended at this point, due to various disadvantages.
It said: "Such measures could also raise barriers to the take-up of cycling in Singapore and disproportionately affect more vulnerable groups of cyclists, including seniors and individuals who rely on bicycles for work and commute."
There was also no evidence from other countries that "such resource-intensive regimes are effective in deterring errant cycling, or enhancing road safety", it said.
The AMAP also recommended that cyclists be allowed to continue riding two abreast on roads with two or more lanes "for their safety and visibility".
In addition, it said a guideline should be introduced in the Highway Code and driving test handbooks for motorists to keep a minimum distance of 1.5m when passing cyclists on roads. This will provide greater clarity on how road users should interact to enhance safety.
The AMAP had previously given recommendations on other issues such as rules around the use of electric scooters, with the recommendations generally taken up by the Government.
It had been tasked by the Government to look into rules for on-road cycling after a debate erupted online in April over whether rules should be tightened.
On the proposed new rule to limit the group length of cyclists, the panel said that it would facilitate safer interactions among road users while providing flexibility for cyclists to ride in groups. The rule would allow "a maximum group size of five cyclists in a single file or 10 cyclists when riding abreast".
The panel also called for the introduction of a guideline for cyclists to keep a safe distance of about two lamp posts, or around 30m, between riding groups.
It added that cyclists are strongly encouraged to take up third-party liability insurance, which aids compensation to victims in accidents. The insurance will protect cyclists from potentially expensive claims.
The rule would allow "a maximum group size of five cyclists in a single file or 10 cyclists when riding abreast". PHOTO: ST FILE
In its final recommendation, the panel urged the Government to step up public education efforts among road users, such as the development of a new on-road safety practical guide for motorists and cyclists.
"While most cyclists are law-abiding, the panel recommends that the Government take firm enforcement action against errant riders to deter errant behaviours, as road safety is a shared responsibility and all users have a role to play," the panel added.
The Transport Ministry will review the recommendations before giving its response.
Looks like the cycling groups will have to split the peloton into groups of 10 with 1 second or more separating each group like they do in road racing.
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