Cyclists now face fines, jail for riding on pedestrian-only paths

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, and 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, 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.

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 authority said path accidents 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 path accidents in 2024, down from 303 incidents in 2019.