Singapore Laws on Cycling
ROAD TRAFFIC ACT (CHAPTER 276, SECTION 140)
ROAD TRAFFIC (BICYCLES) RULES
1. These Rules may be cited as the Road Traffic (Bicycles) Rules. Definitions.
2. In these Rules, unless the context otherwise requires - "bicycle" means a pedal bicycle, a pedal tricycle, a trishaw or a power-assisted bicycle; "hours of darkness" means the time between sunset and sunrise; "power- assisted bicycle" means a bicycle that is equipped with an electric motor and that may be propelled by muscular power or by the electric motor with which it is equipped, or by both.
Towing not permitted
3. No bicycle shall when on any road be towed by any other vehicle. Restriction on number of persons carried
4.
(1) No bicycle shall be used to carry at one time more persons than the number for which it is designed.
(2) Except as provided in paragraph 3, but subject to paragraph 4, no person shall be carried as a pillion passenger on a bicycle unless the bicycle is designed such as to be provided with a seat for a pillion passenger.
(3) A child below the age of 12 years may be carried on a properly constructed seat or carrier affixed to a pedal bicycle.
(4) No person below the age of 16 years shall be carried as a pillion passenger on a power-assisted bicycle.
Riders to give signals
5. The rider of a bicycle shall in order to inform traffic that he intends
(a) to ‘stop’ - hold out his right arm horizontally with the forearm vertical and with the palm of the hand to the front;
(b) to ‘slow down’ - hold out his right arm horizontally with the palm of the hand downwards, and move the arm up and down several times;
(c) to ‘proceed to the right’ - hold out his right arm horizontally with the palm of the hand to the front; and
(d) to ‘proceed to the left’ - hold out his left arm horizontally with the palm of the hand to the front. Signals to be made in sufficient time.
6. Signals under rule 5 shall be made in sufficient time to enable traffic to take appropriate action for the avoidance of danger. Travelling abreast prohibited.
7.
(1) No bicycle shall be ridden on the right of another vehicle proceeding in the same direction except when overtaking such other vehicle.
(2) No bicycle shall be ridden on the right of any two other bicycles proceeding abreast in the same direction except when overtaking such other bicycles or on parts of roads or paths set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.
(3) Wherever part of a road or a path adjacent to a road has been set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles, no bicycle shall be used on any other part of the roadway.
Bicycle to be ridden on left side of road
8. Every bicycle shall be ridden close to the left hand edge of the roadway and in such a manner as not to obstruct vehicles moving at a faster speed. Load on bicycle not to exceed 18 kg.
9.
(1) No load on any two-wheel bicycle shall weigh more than 18 kg or be of such dimensions as to cause or be likely to cause danger, obstruction or annoyance to persons using the road, and every load shall be properly and rigidly secured to the bicycle. Limitations of height, etc. of load.
(2) No load on any pedal tricycle shall overhang the body fitted thereto nor shall the height of any such load be more than one metre from the ground. Bicycle to be ridden in an orderly manner.
10. No bicycle shall be ridden or propelled otherwise than in an orderly manner and with due regard for the safety of others. Lights to be carried by bicycles during darkness.
11.
(1) Every pedal bicycle or power-assisted bicycle shall, during the hours of darkness, carry a lamp showing to the front a white light visible from a reasonable distance.
(2) Every pedal tricycle and trishaw shall, during the hours of darkness, carry a lamp fixed to the offside of the vehicle and showing to the front a white light visible from a reasonable distance.
(3) Every bicycle shall, during the hours of darkness, carry a lamp or a red reflector showing to the rear a red light or a red reflector visible from a reasonable distance.
Restriction on nature of lights
12.
(1) No bicycle shall show a red light to the front.
(2) No bicycle shall show any light other than a red light to the rear. Requirements for use of power-assisted bicycle.
13.
(1) No person shall use a power-assisted bicycle on a road unless the power-assisted bicycle
(a) complies with the requirements specified in the Schedule to the Road Traffic (Power-Assisted Bicycles Approval) Rules 2004 (G.N. No. S 768/2004); and
(b) has been approved and sealed in accordance with those Rules.
(2) No person below the age of 16 years shall ride a power-assisted bicycle on a road.
(3) Every person who rides a power-assisted bicycle on a road or who is carried as a pillion passenger on a power-assisted bicycle on a road shall wear securely on his head a suitable protective bicycle helmet.
