Straits Times, Cheryl Ong reports on cycling, Oct 2, 2011,
Cycling in Singapore: On the wrong side of the law?
With surge in the number of errant cyclists, is it time to relook road safety rules and their enforcement?http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_719046.htmlBicycles must also always be ridden on the left side of the road unless there are designated cycling paths available.
Errant cyclists caught flouting the rules will be fined $20. A first conviction may result in a fine of up to $1,000 or a jail term of up to three months. The punishment is doubled for repeat offenders.
But common accusations lobbed at cyclists go beyond the rules, and include them failing to give way to pedestrians on footpaths, speeding and disregarding traffic rules when they are on the roads. "
Minister of State for Trade and Industry Teo Ser Luck, himself an avid cyclist, has asked everyone to be patient and allow time for a cycling culture to develop.
'Our cycling plans really only kick-started last year, and we're trying to cater to a majority of the cyclists, that is, those who take up the sport for recreation,' he said.
'Our plans now are for intra-town commuting, but we will eventually move on to build connecting paths for these cycling towns.'