Bicycles, kick scooters will be banned from footpaths adjacent to cycling lanes; enforcement from July 2025

SINGAPORE: Bicycles and non-motorised personal mobility devices (PMDs) like kick scooters will be banned from footpaths adjacent to cycling lanes, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said on Wednesday (Aug 14).

Currently, over 200km of cycling paths are situated next to footpaths.

LTA will be converting these footpaths into pedestrian-only paths and the rule will be enforced from July next year, after an adjustment period for path users.

“To enhance safety for path users, especially pedestrians, bicycles and non-motorised PMDs will no longer be allowed on footpaths converted to pedestrian-only paths. We also urge pedestrians to keep to the pedestrian-only paths for their safety," it said.

"To allow cyclists and non-motorised PMD users to adjust to this requirement, LTA will give a grace period for the transition before it starts enforcement action from Jul 1, 2025."

Those caught flouting the rule can be fined up to S$2,000 (US$1,520) or jailed up to three months, or both.

Bicycles and non-motorised PMDs are currently allowed on footpaths adjacent to cycling lanes, although path users are encouraged to stick to their respective paths under the code of conduct for active mobility, LTA said. 

Besides kick scooters, other types of non-motorised PMDs include unicycles and skateboards.

As part of the conversion, physical markings, including pedestrian logos and "pedestrians-only" wordings, will be imprinted on footpaths adjacent to the dedicated cycling paths.

When the rule is enforced, only pedestrians and users of personal mobility aids, like mobility scooters and motorised wheelchairs, can use the pedestrian-only paths. Personal mobility aid users will be restricted to a speed limit of not more than 6kmh, which is similar to brisk walking speed, LTA said.

"LTA has been expanding the cycling path network in Singapore to support the Walk Cycle Ride vision. Singapore now has over 600km of cycling paths and connectors. Our target is to reach 1,300km of cycling paths by 2030," it added.

"As our population ages and active mobility grows in popularity for first-mile last-mile journeys, we are also doing more to keep our paths safe, especially for seniors and young children." 
 

In a Facebook post on Wednesday evening, Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat said that pedestrians will have "greater peace of mind" when walking on pedestrian-only paths.

However, he said that not all paths in Singapore can be separated "due to space limitations and site constraints".

"Some will remain as shared paths, so it is important for everyone to be considerate and pay attention to safety when we use the shared paths, to enhance safety for all path users."