Cyclists face fines, jail for riding on pedestrian-only paths as enforcement begins on July 1

[glockman]

Is it an offence to walk on cycling paths?

 

[True Believer]

Is it an offence to walk on cycling paths?

The focus of the new regulations is to prevent cyclists and PMD users from riding on pedestrian-only paths. While pedestrians are encouraged to use the dedicated pedestrian paths for their own safety, they will not be penalised for occasionally straying onto cycling paths.

 

[earthquake]

Is it an offence to walk on cycling paths?

No.

 

[glockman]

The focus of the new regulations is to prevent cyclists and PMD users from riding on pedestrian-only paths. While pedestrians are encouraged to use the dedicated pedestrian paths for their own safety, they will not be penalised for occasionally straying onto cycling paths.

No.

That's great! Pedestrians are king. I shall keep on walking on any path I want.

 

[True Believer]

That's great! Pedestrians are king. I shall keep on walking on any path I want.

The law does not apply to deliberate jaywalking, but to straying onto cycling paths. The problem is the lack of enforcement and pedestrians and cyclists who do not know the difference.

 

[earthquake]

Cyclists face fines, jail for riding on pedestrian-only paths as enforcement begins on July 1​

Enforcement officers advising pedestrians and cyclists to keep to their respective lanes on a newly converted 200m-long pedestrian-only path in Tampines on July 1.ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM

Vanessa Paige Chelvan
UPDATED Jul 01, 2025, 05:11 PM

SINGAPORE – From July 1, cyclists and users of non-motorised personal mobility devices (PMDs) such as kick scooters can be penalised for riding on designated pedestrian-only footpaths located in towns across Singapore.

Only pedestrians and users of personal mobility aids (PMAs), such as electric wheelchairs, are allowed on pedestrian-only paths, which have the words “pedestrian only” painted on them.

Cycling paths have been painted red.

PMAs must observe a speed limit of 6kmh by the first quarter of 2026, down from 10kmh.

Bicycles and non-motorised PMDs remain permitted on shared footpaths.

More than 200km of footpaths next to cycling lanes have been turned into pedestrian-only paths since the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced this initiative in August 2024.

These paths are found in towns including Tampines, Punggol, Sengkang, Yishun and Clementi. Toa Payoh was the first town to get these paths in January 2025.

LTA said then that it would enforce the proper use of pedestrian-only and cycling paths from July 1, 2025, to give people time to adjust to the move, which it introduced “for the safety of more vulnerable pedestrians such as seniors and children”.

First-time offenders convicted of riding on a pedestrian-only path could be fined up to $2,000 or jailed for three months, or both.

Pedestrians who stray into cycling paths will not face these penalties, though they should keep to the pedestrian-only path for their own safety, LTA said.

LTA said its active mobility enforcement officers (AMEOs) will adopt “a measured and considered approach” when determining whether an offence has been committed.

“There remains zero tolerance towards those who speed or ride in a rash and reckless manner on paths,” it added.

Speaking to reporters at a newly converted pedestrian-only path in Tampines Avenue 4 on July 1, Minister of State for Transport Baey Yam Keng said that while AMEOs will give people “the benefit of the doubt”, they cannot be too lenient.

“Otherwise, the law has no teeth,” he added, saying that a signal must be sent to those who repeatedly flout the rules.

Mr Baey, who is an MP for Tampines GRC, said AMEOs can stop cyclists for speeding or cycling dangerously. “If necessary, AMEOs can tap other infrastructure, like CCTV cameras, to track down these cyclists.”

AMEOs are also equipped with body-worn cameras.

Mr Baey added that enforcement efforts will be focused on areas with “a high intersection of cyclists and pedestrians”, such as around shopping malls.

He also acknowledged the challenge of enforcing the proper use of pedestrian-only paths.

While the authorities want to promote active mobility, which Mr Baey describes as “a healthy and environmentally friendly way of getting around”, the Government also has to deal with those who put other path users in danger.

“So indeed, there is a challenge. The rules are there after careful consideration, and looking at the behaviour patterns of different users,” he said.

While he hopes that people will abide by the new rules, the penalties are there “as a last resort”, he added.

Mr Baey urged cyclists to stay on the red paths; on shared paths, everyone should keep left.

LTA said accidents on paths have been on a “general decline” since 2019, though “more can be done to ensure safety for all path users, especially our seniors and young children”. There were 104 such accidents in 2024, down from 303 in 2019.

LTA said more pedestrian-only paths will be implemented “where space allows”, but where there are space constraints, the “gracious sharing of spaces will continue to be important”.

AMEOs have been educating cyclists and non-motorised PMD users on using the correct path since August 2024, while LTA has also worked with schools to educate students on the new rules.

The Straits Times observed AMEOs stationed at pedestrian-only paths in the vicinity of Our Tampines Hub on the morning of July 1.

Working in pairs, the AMEOs flagged down passing cyclists to remind them to stay on the red paths and to look out for pedestrians. More than five cyclists were stopped in a span of 10 minutes, and all appeared receptive to the AMEOs.

Tampines resident Sabariah, 40, who goes by one name and who regularly cycles around the town, said that having separate paths for cyclists and those on foot is a good thing. “It’s better, more orderly, and from what I observe, most people do follow the rules,” she said.

But while most cyclists stay in their lanes, some tend to speed, Ms Sabariah, a housewife, said. This may put pedestrians at risk if they stray onto the cycling paths, she added.

Grab delivery rider Zam Ismail, 44, said the penalties that cyclists can face – a fine or jail term – are “too harsh”. It is also unfair that pedestrians who stray onto the cycling lane will not face any penalties, he added.

Mr Zam said AMEOs had suggested he disembark and push his bicycle to overtake pedestrians. That can be difficult, he said, especially if he is on the clock to make a delivery.

 

[tobelightlight]

That's great! Pedestrians are king. I shall keep on walking on any path I want.

Later you Kanna f by cyclists, then how?

 

[glockman]

Later you Kanna f by cyclists, then how?

Then I video and report polis. Remember, pedestrians are king, the law is on our side.