Greater reluctance towards sharing footpaths with e-bikes, motorised PMDs
A cyclist cycling on the pedestrian walkway at Esplanade bridge. TODAY file photo
SINGAPORE — A survey has found that more than half (55 per cent) of the respondents were willing to share footpaths with cyclists and riders of non-motorised personal mobility devices (PMDs), but fewer were willing to do so when it comes to electric bicycles and other motorised PMDs.
Only 34 per cent of the 5,000 people surveyed online by the Land Transport Authority were agreeable to sharing footpaths with such motorised PMDs. Another 12 per cent were on the fence, and the remainder was unwilling. As for motorists, about half (53 per cent) were willing to share roads with cyclists, while almost a third (32 per cent) were not.
Sharing these findings at a focus group session today (Nov 24), Active Mobility Advisory Panel chairman Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim said the panel will take a “balanced approach” to meeting different users’ needs.
“There will be different views (on path sharing), those who like to have more of their own space and those open to sharing ... We want to see what is the equilibrium where all road and footpath users can co-exist,” said Associate Professor Faishal, who is also Parliamentary Secretary for Education and Social and Family Development.
The 14-member panel was formed to recommend rules and norms for the sharing of pathways. It will review findings from the survey and six focus group sessions before submitting its recommendations.
These rules will be enforced, said Assoc Prof Faishal, but are part of a wider approach that involves education and public engagement.
The 34 participants present at the focus group session at the Orchid Country Club today — the third to be held — began by taking on roles like pedestrian, cyclist, or PMD user, and travelling about 1km in Yishun. This took place at about 7pm, when road traffic was heavy.
In the discussion that followed, participants had mixed views about what constituted “expected behaviour” for pedestrians and other road users.
Some felt it is the onus of cyclists and PMD users to look out for pedestrians on footpaths and pavements, while others said pedestrians should also be vigilant of other users and not block pathways. One participant suggested making it illegal to use handphones while walking.
Retiree Teo Seng Tee felt that bicycles and PMDs should be registered so that pedestrians have avenues to seek redress should any accident occur. The 67-year-old, who lives in West Coast, said he has had several “close shaves”. “I’m often caught in shock because the riders just whiz past you ... I always feel if you ride some device, you must be accountable for it,” he said.
Fellow participant Rachel Teow, 24, who mostly drives, said it is key to foster a “culture” of path sharing among users.
“Perhaps users can learn to keep to one side, it’s a bit like what we do on escalators, which gradually has become ingrained in most Singaporeans nowadays,” she said.
