Most cycling groups are safe but there are 'black sheep', riders say after recent accident

SINGAPORE: Cycling in big groups can be safe if they are disciplined and abide by the rules, experienced riders said after an accident involving two cyclists landed one in hospital.

Cyclists on roads in Singapore have to keep to groups of no more than five bicycles in length. They have to ride in single file on single-lane roads and in bus lanes during the stipulated hours. On roads with two or more lanes, they can cycle two abreast, in groups of up to 10.

Those who violate the rules can be fined S$150 (US$110). Groups are advised to keep two lamp-posts, or about 30m, apart from each other.

On Sunday (Apr 16), a cyclist was injured in an accident along Upper Thomson Road. Ms Serlina Eng, who identified herself as the injured cyclist’s wife, wrote on Facebook that a "peloton of crazy cyclists" caused the accident.

In the video she posted, another group of cyclists is seen emerging and cycling very close to Ms Eng’s group, some riding three or four in a row as they pass. Shortly after, Ms Eng’s husband Mr Andy Oh falls onto the road.

Mr Adrian Yeo, founder of Beyond Personal Record Cycling Club, said best practices for overtaking include giving advance warning to the group ahead and not going too near to other cyclists when passing by.

Mr Tan Liang Cheng of cycling club TFR said there was an "error of judgment" and the cyclists who were overtaking looked like their intention was to "test themselves against each other".

"That adrenaline causing a disregard for safety … shouldn’t have happened, they should have rendered assistance," he said.

In Ms Eng’s post, she said the cyclists rode off after the accident but contacted her after seeing her friend’s Facebook post.

SAFETY BRIEFINGS, DISCIPLINED RIDING

Local cycling groups told CNA that they regularly organise rides for up to 100 cyclists, but rules are in place to abide by laws and keep riders safe.

For example, some organisers split cyclists up into groups of up to 10, with each group moving off in five-minute intervals.

Mr David Ho, an administrator of the West Coast Riders group, said cyclists must sign up in advance and will be assigned to groups.

Friends who want to cycle together can indicate their preference when registering, while others may be grouped together based on their preferred pace. The groups are given different meeting points and starting times so that they will be separate from each other.

He also sends out messages to remind riders of the rules, such as keeping to five bicycles in single file on single-lane roads.

"I'm not saying 100 per cent will follow the rules and keep the discipline. (But) I would say 100 per cent of whoever is in there will understand there are rules that they need to follow."

In such large rides, each group of 10 also usually has a leader who ensures they keep a safe distance from the groups ahead.

For TFR, Mr Tan said he usually has a chat with new riders before they are allowed to join the group.

"Sometimes there will be riders who are unsafe, who play music, or who just want to race and … they don’t want to ride as part of a group, they just want to test themselves.

"For the safety of the rest of the members, we don’t get them in."

“THERE WILL ALWAYS BE SOME BLACK SHEEP”

Most cycling groups in Singapore try to obey the rules and ride safely, especially among the established groups, cyclists told CNA.

"The ones that were caught in the video are not indicative of the general group of cyclists or clubs," said Mr Tan.

Mr Steven Lim, vice-president for safety and education at the Singapore Cycling Federation, said there will always be people who ignore or violate the rules.

"(In) any road user group, whether it’s cyclists, pedestrians or motorists, there will always be some black sheep," he said.

Social media amplifies situations and people seem to be attracted to negative news, when the reality is not that bad, Mr Lim said.

Mr Yeo said the "classic one" is when people post photos of huge groups of cyclists on the road while waiting at traffic junctions.

Senior Parliamentary Secretary at the Ministry of Transport Baey Yam Keng clarified this year that cyclists do not need to maintain the group size limit when stopping at traffic lights.

Cars also do not keep a distance from each other when they stop at traffic lights, Mr Yeo pointed out.

But Mr Ho of West Coast Riders said he often sees groups on the road that exceed the 10-person limit.

Riders initially obeyed the rules, but now, "nobody’s afraid anymore", he said. "Some regulars will tell me 'Hey, nobody gets caught, why are you being so harsh on us'."

Mr Lim of the Singapore Cycling Federation urged cyclists to follow the rules because they are there to keep things in order and protect road users.

"The day you flout the rules is the day where you give up your right to be protected by the rules."

CNA has contacted the Singapore Police Force to ask about enforcement action against errant cyclists.