In the quiet hours of a Tuesday morning, the serenity of Sembawang Road was disrupted by an unexpected clash of interests. A group of approximately 40 cyclists, in pursuit of their morning ride, inadvertently became the center of controversy, much to the dismay of a fellow road user.
The Scene on Sembawang Road
At 5 am on Nov. 21, the tranquil stretch of Sembawang Road, heading towards Springleaf MRT Station, witnessed an unusual sight.
A driver, Mr Hu, was making his way through the early morning darkness, and suddenly found himself amidst a swarm of cyclists.
According to Shin Min Daily News, the driver’s account sheds light on the challenges he faced. Traveling at 70 km/h, he had to make a swift decision to switch lanes, emphasizing the potential danger posed by the fast-moving group.
Faced with a perilous situation, the driver resorted to sounding his horn as a warning. However, the cyclists remained seemingly oblivious to the auditory alert.
Speed and Traffic Regulations
To comprehend the situation better, it’s essential to consider the prevailing rules for cyclists. Since January 2022, guidelines dictate that cyclists should ride two abreast in one lane on multi-lane roads, with a maximum of 10 cyclists.
LTA’s rules on road cycling
- Always ride as close as practicable to the far left edge of roads, and allow traffic to overtake you safely
- Cycle in a single file on single-lane roads and during bus lane operational hours
- Switch on front white and rear red light in the dark
- Always use bicycle lanes when available, and do not use any other part of the roadway
- [From 1 Jan 2022]Â Keep to a maximum length of 5 bicycles when riding in groups, which means a maximum of 5 cyclists if riding in single file, or 10 cyclists if riding two abreast