Cyclists face fines or even jail for riding on pedestrian-only paths from July 1

From July 1, cyclists and users of non-motorised personal mobility devices (PMDs) such as kick scooters can be penalised for riding on designated pedestrian-only footpaths located in towns across Singapore.

- Vanessa Paige Chelvan

Only pedestrians and users of personal mobility aids (PMAs), such as electric wheelchairs, are allowed on pedestrian-only paths, which have the words "pedestrians only" painted on them.

Cycling paths have been painted red.

PMAs must also observe a speed limit of 6kmh by the first quarter of 2026, down from 10kmh.

Bicycles and non-motorised PMDs remain permitted on shared footpaths.

More than 200km of footpaths next to cycling lanes have been turned into pedestrian-only paths since the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced this initiative in August 2024.

These paths are found in towns including Tampines, Punggol, Sengkang, Yishun and Clementi.

Toa Payoh was the first town to get these paths in January 2025.

LTA said then that it would enforce the proper use of pedestrian-only and cycling paths from July 1, 2025, to give people time to adjust to the move, which it introduced "for the safety of more vulnerable pedestrians such as seniors and children".

First-time offenders convicted of riding on a pedestrian-only path can be fined up to $2,000 or jailed for up to three months, or both.

Pedestrians who stray into cycling paths will not face these penalties, though they should keep to the pedestrian-only path for their own safety, LTA said.

It added that its active mobility enforcement officers (AMEOs) will adopt "a measured and considered approach" when determining whether an offence has been committed.