A cyclist riding through a tightly packed crowd at Marina Bay has sparked public outrage after footage of the incident went viral online.The short clip showed the man pedalling through a pedestrian-heavy area, raising voices and eyebrows as he demanded others make way.
The video, titled “Don’t block the road,” backfired as viewers pointed out it was the cyclist who was in the wrong. Many Singaporeans were quick to call out the man’s lack of courtesy and disregard for safety in a space clearly meant for walking.
The most jarring part? He appeared visibly annoyed when people didn’t immediately clear a path for him, despite his bicycle weaving through a dense crowd of pedestrians in what was clearly not a shared path.
Netizens React: “Entitled”, “Brainless”, and “Lack of Upbringing”
The backlash came swiftly in the comments section. Facebook and Instagram users lashed out, branding the man as “a single-brain-cell organism on two wheels” and accusing him of behaving like “a VIP” with zero respect for public etiquette.
Some users pointed out that under Land Transport Authority (LTA) guidelines, cyclists must dismount and push their bicycles in crowded areas. “Walk your device in a crowd. It’s common sense and basic decency,” one commenter wrote, referencing official LTA advice.
Others were more colourful with their words: “He thinks say ‘please’ and the whole world must jump for him,” said one. Another quipped, “He left his brain at home… or it’s attached to his backside.”
Calls for enforcement resurfaced, with Singaporeans demanding stricter patrols and fines. Since 1 July, riding in certain pedestrian-only zones can result in penalties.
Public Safety vs Personal Convenience: A Growing Debate
Singapore’s growing number of cyclists has sparked repeated friction in public areas like Marina Bay, East Coast Park, and CBD walkways. As urban mobility solutions evolve, some feel that personal devices — whether e-bikes, PMDs or regular bicycles — are creating unnecessary tension with pedestrians.
While some sympathised with the rider, saying Singapore leaves cyclists with too few designated lanes, the overwhelming sentiment remains clear: safety comes first.
Whether it’s peak hour on MRTs or weekend strolls in public spaces, Singaporeans are increasingly asking — is basic courtesy too much to expect?