- Joined
- Jan 5, 2010
- Messages
- 2,086
- Points
- 83
Shared path Direction of travel: Different Countries laws apply in tiny Singapore.
This is probably the reason why Singaporeans keep on getting knocked down by PMD like bowling pins... because each time they hear the bell/ sound of approaching PMD, they are really like deer in car headlights, totally confused and unpredictable in their movements... some will jump left, others right (like lemmings trying to commit suicide)...
Think real party at fault is the Ministry of Education (MOE) for failing to educate the young and the public about basic highway code rules which for commonwealth countries like Singapore, means that slower traffic, whether vehicular or pedestrian, have to keep left so faster moving traffic can pass on the right hand side. (Only exception is for pedestrians (3-5kph) walking on road who whilst still keeping to the left most side of the road, walk in opposite direction to vehicular traffic (50-80kph) so that both drivers and pedestrians can see each other and pedestrians can avoid serious injury by jumping away from an out of control car etc approaching at high speed (cyclist (~20-30 kph) however have to follow direction of travel rules on roads like other motorised vehicles it shares road with)).
Perhaps the whole PAP cabinet is at fault for the many comatose / injured pedestrian victims of PMD accidents because even the Building and construction authority (BCA) is sleeping on the job because even for public places like Sentosa Boardwalk, travellators force pedestrians to travel on the right etc.
Even the following reddit post shows how an American Expat to Singapore observed how the laws of many foreign countries apply to pedestrian travelling directions in Singapore.
Obviously LTA traffic planners are probably cooped up in their ivory towers and eating the best food that food delivery companies can deliver... More LTA staff should take public transport or cycle to work and the price of COE and parking for LTA staff should be doubled if not tripled.
=========
In Singapore aren't you supposed walk on the left side of the sidewalk?
Rusty Sammon, Answered Apr 24, 2016
In Singapore, people , similar to Great Britain and other former British colonies. So you'd think that people would follow the same "on the left" rule when walking down the sidewalk.
Not really. From my experience(*), people walk wherever they please, following the flow of other foot traffic. Sometimes they walk on the left, sometimes they walk on the right. There are some patterns for particular neighborhoods and areas, but the general rule "walk on this side" is not followed as strictly as many other countries. It's a little surprising, given how Singapore has rules for most everything else, but people are friendly enough that you seldom butt heads with anybody.
Some patterns I've seen:
In MRT (subway) stations and other business areas, most of the crowd will walk on the left. And many (but not all) stairways and escalators are set up for walking on the left.
On escalators, there is a custom to stand on the left so that other people can walk up the escalator on the right. Make sure to follow this rule or else you'll find somebody standing behind you anxiously waiting to pass you.
In touristy areas (Marina Bay, Orchard Rd), a lot of people end up walking on the right. Probably because they're still following the custom of their home country?
In busy shopping areas (shopping malls, Chinatown), it's a total free-for-all. Just aim for where you want to go and try not to step on any toes.
On uncrowded sidewalks, it seems that more people walk on the right than left, but it's still pretty close to 50-50.
If you go jogging or biking (i.e., faster than the flow of walking traffic), there is no general rule of passing on the right. You just try to make your intention as clear as possible and avoid collisions.
(*) Disclaimer: I'm an expat (American) living in Singapore and have only been here for a few months. Maybe the "walk on the left" custom is evolving over time?
https://www.quora.com/In-Singapore-arent-you-supposed-walk-on-the-left-side-of-the-sidewalk
This is probably the reason why Singaporeans keep on getting knocked down by PMD like bowling pins... because each time they hear the bell/ sound of approaching PMD, they are really like deer in car headlights, totally confused and unpredictable in their movements... some will jump left, others right (like lemmings trying to commit suicide)...
Think real party at fault is the Ministry of Education (MOE) for failing to educate the young and the public about basic highway code rules which for commonwealth countries like Singapore, means that slower traffic, whether vehicular or pedestrian, have to keep left so faster moving traffic can pass on the right hand side. (Only exception is for pedestrians (3-5kph) walking on road who whilst still keeping to the left most side of the road, walk in opposite direction to vehicular traffic (50-80kph) so that both drivers and pedestrians can see each other and pedestrians can avoid serious injury by jumping away from an out of control car etc approaching at high speed (cyclist (~20-30 kph) however have to follow direction of travel rules on roads like other motorised vehicles it shares road with)).
Perhaps the whole PAP cabinet is at fault for the many comatose / injured pedestrian victims of PMD accidents because even the Building and construction authority (BCA) is sleeping on the job because even for public places like Sentosa Boardwalk, travellators force pedestrians to travel on the right etc.
Even the following reddit post shows how an American Expat to Singapore observed how the laws of many foreign countries apply to pedestrian travelling directions in Singapore.
Obviously LTA traffic planners are probably cooped up in their ivory towers and eating the best food that food delivery companies can deliver... More LTA staff should take public transport or cycle to work and the price of COE and parking for LTA staff should be doubled if not tripled.
=========
In Singapore aren't you supposed walk on the left side of the sidewalk?
Rusty Sammon, Answered Apr 24, 2016
In Singapore, people , similar to Great Britain and other former British colonies. So you'd think that people would follow the same "on the left" rule when walking down the sidewalk.
Not really. From my experience(*), people walk wherever they please, following the flow of other foot traffic. Sometimes they walk on the left, sometimes they walk on the right. There are some patterns for particular neighborhoods and areas, but the general rule "walk on this side" is not followed as strictly as many other countries. It's a little surprising, given how Singapore has rules for most everything else, but people are friendly enough that you seldom butt heads with anybody.
Some patterns I've seen:
In MRT (subway) stations and other business areas, most of the crowd will walk on the left. And many (but not all) stairways and escalators are set up for walking on the left.
On escalators, there is a custom to stand on the left so that other people can walk up the escalator on the right. Make sure to follow this rule or else you'll find somebody standing behind you anxiously waiting to pass you.
In touristy areas (Marina Bay, Orchard Rd), a lot of people end up walking on the right. Probably because they're still following the custom of their home country?
In busy shopping areas (shopping malls, Chinatown), it's a total free-for-all. Just aim for where you want to go and try not to step on any toes.
On uncrowded sidewalks, it seems that more people walk on the right than left, but it's still pretty close to 50-50.
If you go jogging or biking (i.e., faster than the flow of walking traffic), there is no general rule of passing on the right. You just try to make your intention as clear as possible and avoid collisions.
(*) Disclaimer: I'm an expat (American) living in Singapore and have only been here for a few months. Maybe the "walk on the left" custom is evolving over time?
https://www.quora.com/In-Singapore-arent-you-supposed-walk-on-the-left-side-of-the-sidewalk
Last edited:
