A cyclist was hit by a car at a traffic junction in Clementi Avenue 3 on the morning of 8 April 2023. His absurd actions, which caused the accident, have since baffled bystanders and viewers alike.
The incident was caught on video and has since gone viral and gained over 140,000 views after it was shared online by the SG Road Vigilante (SGRV) Facebook page on 18 April 2023.
According to the video’s caption, the incident occurred on 8 April 2023 around 10 am. The incident involving the cyclist has since sparked a debate in the video’s comments regarding road safety and the behaviour of cyclists on Singapore’s roads.
Careless Cyclist Caught on Viral Video
The video, which has been widely shared, garnered over 800 comments in three hours. It drew attention to cyclists’ risks and the need for all road users to adhere to traffic rules.
In a bustling junction, the vehicle recording the footage captured the cyclist, who was donning a complete outfit consisting of a cycling shirt, helmet and tights, making their way to the left of its vehicle.
It is observed from the footage that vehicles on the road were all stationary at a red traffic light just before the cyclist appeared on the left-hand side of the screen.
The cyclist then attempted to cut in front of the vehicle recording the footage across the pedestrian crossing towards WE Cinemas, despite the presence of oncoming traffic from the opposite direction.
Unfortunately, a cream-coloured sports utility vehicle failed to brake in time and collided with the cyclist.
The cyclist’s daring manoeuvre drew criticism from several individuals who could not comprehend why they would attempt to cut lanes when oncoming traffic was in sight.
The rider was also subject to ridicule, with many mocking their behaviour or proclaiming that they “deserved” to be hit because of their absurd actions.
Failed to Follow Traffic Rules
There have been no updates regarding whether the cyclist had incurred any severe injuries that require hospitalisation or if there was an investigation around the incident captured in the video.
However, it is essential to note that the cyclist’s actions may have violated several traffic rules established by the Land Transport Authority (LTA).
The LTA emphasises that road safety is a shared responsibility, and all cyclists and power-assisted bicycle (PAB) riders must abide by traffic rules when using the roads.
For instance, cyclists and PAB riders must comply with all traffic signals and ride in the same direction as the flow of traffic, which was clearly not the case for the cyclist in the video.
Cyclists and PAB riders must also wear helmets when cycling, ride as close to the far left edge of roads as possible, and allow traffic to pass them safely.
They should ride in a single file on single-lane roads and utilise bicycle lanes when available, rather than any other portion of the roadway during bus lane operational hours.
On 1 January 2022, a new regulation was implemented to restrict group riding to a maximum of five bicycles. This meant a maximum of five cyclists riding in a single file or ten cyclists riding side by side.
LTA established this rule because they observed that if too many cyclists were on the road, there would be the danger of them spilling over into the next lane, posing a significant risk to people on the road.
Audacious Cyclists
The cyclist featured in the video is not the first case of cyclists displaying bold demeanour. On 25 June 2022, a considerable group of cyclists were seen violating the aforementioned regulation on Telok Blangah Road.
Dubbed the “Mega Mass Ride,” the large group occupied the lane designated for buses, causing a nearby bus to have to stop and wait for the cyclists to pass, despite the cyclists indicating that they would leave the bus lane.
Furthermore, the bus’s speed was reduced due to the line of cyclists ahead of them since they occupied the entire lane.
Increase in Accidents Involving Cyclists
Whether caused by their negligent behaviour or inherent road hazards, an average of approximately 560 severe accidents involving cyclists on roads has been recorded over the past five years.
Recorded since 2022, this meant a relatively high number of accidents resulting in injuries or fatalities.
On the other hand, Transport Minister S. Iswaran disclosed that the average yearly number of severe accidents on park connectors and cycling paths is at a lower number of around 90 cases.
Despite these statistics, he noted that the number of cases has remained steady against the backdrop of the increasing popularity of cycling in recent years.
Furthermore, he stated that new regulations designed to encourage the safe use of bicycles and electric bicycles, along with ongoing educational campaigns and enforcement efforts, have contributed to the consistent accident rate.
However, he encourages all road and path users to continue playing their part in responsibly utilising shared spaces. In line with his remarks, the government has introduced various regulations to enhance bicycle and electric bicycle safety in recent years.
Apart from the restrictions in group riding implemented on 1 January 2022, regulations were also put in place due to increasing concerns about the usage of active mobility devices, with cyclists who violate traffic rules now facing a $150 fine, twice the previous fine of $75.
Additionally, users of electric bicycles and electric scooters must pass a mandatory online theory test to continue using these devices in public spaces. They are also now required to present their digital certificate upon request by enforcement officers.
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