Latest news with #Baey
AsiaOne
18 hours ago
- AsiaOne
Cyclists won't be unfairly targeted on pedestrian-only paths: Baey Yam Keng, Singapore News
Enforcement of the new pedestrian-only paths will be "reasonable", Minister of State for Transport Baey Yam Keng assured in a Facebook post on Wednesday (July 2). Beginning on Tuesday, cyclists as well as motorised and non-motorised personal mobility device (PMD) users will face severe penalties for using pedestrian-only paths. First-time offenders can be fined up to $2,000 or jailed for up to three months, or both. Following that, some cyclists have voiced their concerns, arguing that the penalties are only applied to cyclists and mobility device users while pedestrians can still traverse both pathways legally. On Facebook group Singapore Park Connector Network (PCN) Cyclist, some users have expressed their displeasure towards the new regulation. "Not going [to] fine pedestrians but only cyclists?" One user questioned. "Why not ask the pedestrian to jaywalk on the road, and cars must give way, if not fine the driver?" There were also concerns about how cyclists should navigate overtaking slower parties or pedestrians on the cycling path. Asked a user: "If I overtake them and ride on the pedestrian-only path, will I also get fined?" Another complained: "Pedestrians are allowed to walk on the cycling path (and are) only encouraged not to. If cyclists cycle on the pedestrian path, cyclists would be fined or jailed. Double standards!" Enforcement officers to consider 'ground situation': Baey In his Facebook post, Baey said he understands that cyclists are concerned about this change, and worried about being targeted and fined. "I want to reassure everyone that our enforcement approach will be reasonable, and enforcement officers will consider the ground situation," Baey stated, providing examples of extenuating circumstances such as cyclists veering off to avoid obstacles or overtaking slower path users. Explaining the rationale behind this regulation, he shared that pedestrians, especially the elderly and young children, are the most vulnerable users of these paths. And users of active mobility devices (including bicycles) travelling at faster speeds should always keep a lookout for users, particularly pedestrians who travel at lower speeds while using the paths. He stressed that the priority for enforcement is against errant cyclists who speed or ride in reckless manners that pose danger to others. The regulation, while important, is only one part of keeping users safe, Baey said. "We need to cultivate a culture of gracious path sharing, and protect the safety of the most vulnerable, especially with our ageing population." [[nid:718327]] khooyihang@
Straits Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Pedestrian-only path rules to be enforced reasonably; focus on errant cyclists: Baey Yam Keng
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox LTA's active mobility enforcement officers advising cyclists to keep to their lane next to a newly converted 200m-long pedestrian-only path in Tampines on July 1. SINGAPORE – Officers will take a reasonable approach when enforcing the proper use of pedestrian-only paths, said Minister of State for Transport Baey Yam Keng, reassuring cyclists that they will not be unfairly targeted and fined. In a Facebook post late on July 2, Mr Baey said the focus is on 'errant cyclists who speed or ride in a reckless manner on paths', putting others in danger. 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. These paths, marked with the words 'pedestrians only', are meant for pedestrians and users of personal mobility aids (PMAs), such as electric wheelchairs. Cycling paths have been painted red. The demarcation of paths for pedestrians and cyclists 'provides more certainty' for users and allows them to better anticipate each other's movements, Mr Baey said. 'I understand cyclists are concerned about this change, and are worried about being targeted and fined,' he said. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore No train service across entire Bukit Panjang LRT line due to power fault Asia US, India push for trade pact after Trump strikes deal with Vietnam: Sources World Trump tax Bill stalled by Republican rebellion in Congress Business Microsoft cutting 9,000 jobs companywide in second major wave of layoffs this year Opinion How Apple gave 'the gift of fire' to Chinese electronics firms Asia Malaysian nurses following the money abroad for more opportunities Singapore Singapore and Cambodia to expand collaboration in renewable energy, carbon markets and agri-trade World Iran's nuclear programme degraded by up to two years, Pentagon says He assured them that the Land Transport Authority's (LTA) active mobility enforcement officers (AMEOs) would 'consider the ground situation'. For example, a cyclist who has to momentarily ride on a pedestrian-only path to avoid an obstacle or to safely overtake slower-moving path users will not be penalised. 'But beyond rules, we need to cultivate a culture of gracious path sharing and protect the safety of the most vulnerable, especially with our ageing population,' Mr Baey said. 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 the initiative in August 2024. 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. Speaking to reporters on July 1, Mr Baey said that while the AMEOs will give people 'benefit of the doubt', they cannot be too lenient. 'Otherwise, the law has no teeth,' he added, saying that a signal must be sent to those who repeatedly flout the rules.
AsiaOne
3 days ago
- AsiaOne
Cycling on pedestrian-only paths? You can be jailed and fined $2,000, Singapore News
Cyclists, non-motorised personal mobility device (PMD) and motorised PMD users will face severe penalties if they use pedestrian-only paths, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced on Tuesday (July 1). Motorised personal mobility devices include e-bikes, while non-motorised ones include kick scooters. This follows the conversion of over 200km of footpaths adjacent to cycling paths across Singapore into pedestrian-only paths, which have been marked with pedestrian logos and "Pedestrians-Only" wordings. Paths coloured red are for cyclists, while those that remain grey are pedestrian-only. Only pedestrians and those with personal mobility aids (PMA) such as electric wheelchairs can utilise the pedestrian-only paths, presuming they stay within speed limit of 6kmh come 2026, the authority explained. At present, the speed limit for personal mobility aids remain at 10kmh. Cyclists and users of mobility devices may face penalties of up to $2,000 and jail of up to three months for first-time offences, but LTA enforcement officers will adopt a "measured and considered approach" when determining if an offence has been committed. There is zero tolerance towards those who speed or ride in a rash and reckless manner on paths, LTA said. Pedestrians are still allowed to walk on cycling paths, although LTA recommends they keep to the pedestrian-only path for their own safety. Additionally, path users, inclusive of both pedestrian and cyclist paths, ought to keep an eye out for pedestrians or vulnerable users when utilising pathways. Over the past year, active mobility enforcement officers and community ambassadors have focused on educating the public, with LTA reaching out to schools since end-2024 to educate students on the safe and appropriate use of the paths. The Stay on Track campaign was also launched in June this year to remind the public to keep to their respective paths, LTA said. Speaking with media below a HDB block opposite Our Tampines Hub, Minister of State for Transport Baey Yam Keng said that the markings on pathways have been progressively added since August last year. "All the cycling network areas in the heartlands have been completed, so it will be very clear to all users that we are segregating the paths," Baey stated. "We hope that all users will understand the new guidelines... and abide by them," he said, adding that keeping pathways safe for every user is paramount. Baey also explained that action will be taken against egregious transgressions, such as non-pedestrians who stay on the pedestrian-only path "when there's no reason for them" to do so. Aside from body cameras, LTA officers will also have access to CCTV systems to track down errant pathway users, he said. "It's only in cases where they are blatantly ignoring or breaking the law, that's when enforcement has to come in as a last resort." He added: "Ultimately, it's a law that we want to enforce because it's there for good reasons — it's for the safety of all users." Baey also shared: "LTA will continue to implement dedicated pedestrian-only paths and cycling paths where space allows, so that active mobility users and pedestrians can keep to their designated paths. "Where this is not possible due to space constraints, gracious sharing of spaces will continue to be important." There were 104 path accidents in 2024, down from 303 incidents in 2019, The Straits Times reported on Tuesday. [[nid:697437]] khooyihang@
Straits Times
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Baey Yam Keng to helm new Tampines Boulevard division; internal boundaries for East Coast changed
SINGAPORE – Residents in the new Tampines Boulevard division will be represented by Tampines GRC MP Baey Yam Keng, after a post-election readjustment of the constituency's internal boundaries. PAP newcomer and former army chief David Neo will take over Mr Baey's original ward – Tampines North. Announcing this in a Facebook post on May 15 , Mr Baey said: 'Yesterday, I showed David around Tampines North and introduced him to residents. 'I hope you will welcome him like how you have allowed me to join the Tampines North family, and extend the same patience to him, just like when I first came to Tampines North in 2011.' The new Tampines Boulevard comprises new flats north of Tampines Avenue 9 with block numbers running from 601 to 666, and will be carved out of Tampines North, East and Central in changes that will take effect from June 1. The decision was made after discussion between the GRC's MPs, said Mr Baey, who is going into his fifth term as an MP. He told The Straits Times that it is 'natural and easier for him to continue serving these residents' as he has already been doing so. The Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Transport and Sustainability and Environment added that his priority will be to help residents with teething issues as they move into the new flats. He will also be looking to address these across the constituency as the new chairman of Tampines Town Council, he said. During the hustings, Mr Baey had promised that he would chair the town council if elected. Some possible teething issues include maintenance issues as residents move in and renovate, orientating them to estates and waste management, he said. 'One area we are looking at is how we can structure our council so that we can be more responsive to residents' feedback and suggestions on the ground,' he added. He is taking over as town council chair from Tampines Changkat MP Desmond Choo, who contested and won his constituency after it was carved out as a single seat. Tampines GRC was the site of the second-narrowest win for the ruling party at the polls on May 3. The PAP came away with 52.02 per cent of the vote against the WP. Following the polls, the constituency's anchor minister Masagos Zulkifli said the team intends to go back to the ground to better understand issues that residents face, including those that run 'really deep'. East Coast GRC has also reorganised its internal boundaries following the election. Deputy Speaker Jessica Tan will be re-appointed as chair of East Coast Town Council, said Minister of Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong in a Facebook post on May 15. New faces Dinesh Vasu Dash and Hazlina Abdul Halim are vice-chairs, he added. Mr Tong, who anchors the constituency, said: 'The regular maintenance of our common spaces and the continual improvement of local facilities will remain key priorities for our town council.' On the revised internal boundaries, Mr Tong said the main changes are that the Bedok division will take over Limau and Eastwood estates, and Fengshan will take on more private estates which used to be under Siglap. Bedok, previously represented by Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, will be taken by Mr Dinesh, while Fengshan will be under Madam Hazlina, who is taking over from Ms Cheryl Chan. Both Mr Heng and Ms Chan have retired from politics. The Changi-Simei division will include Seagull estate, and Kampong Chai Chee will take in the Chai Chee precinct, which was previously under Marine Parade GRC. Changi-Simei is under Ms Tan, who has represented the division since 2006, while Kampong Chai Chee is under Senior Minister of State for National Development and Digital Development and Information Tan Kiat How. Explaining the changes, Mr Tong said the constituency's population has increased from about 120,000 in 2020 to about 150,000 in 2025. 'Coupled with expected further population growth and town development in the coming years, we therefore have to make some adjustments to allow us to serve our residents better and more optimally,' he said. Mr Tong added that among considerations the team took into account is to have roughly comparable size in each division in terms of households and population, and to have community clubs to serve residents. 'As far as possible, our approach was to keep changes to a minimum and to keep grassroots volunteers teams intact,' he said. The team also took into account that there are new flats being built across East Coast, in varying degrees of development, he added. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
