Singapore ensures that even its two-wheeled riders follow the city’s legal guidelines to ensure their safety and that of other road users. 

Nothing’s better than a safe and pleasant ride, right? It’s worth considering the rules of the road—or, should we say, the laws of the bike path.

Here are the city-state’s crucial cycling rules and regulations that we hope all cyclists will follow.

Follow the speed limit for cycling in Singapore.

In Singapore, the standard speed limit for cycling is 25 km/h for shared vehicle paths located within parks or residential areas. Meanwhile, bike riders must maintain a slower pace when cycling on footpaths, with a 10 km/h speed limit.

Failure to follow this speed limit regulation can result in a fine of S$1,000 or three months of jail time.

Additionally, bicycle riders should be mindful of their speed when sharing the road with motor vehicles. You don’t want to cause a vehicular accident or collision because you’re cycling like the Flash.

There’s an exception for cyclists needing speed – only if you’re an Olympic contender. Public roads in the city-state offer the opportunity to pick up the pace, with a speed limit of 50 km/h.

Cross the pedestrian at a walking speed.

While it may be tempting to maintain your cycling speed when crossing pedestrian lanes, doing so is risky and against the Singaporean Highway Code.

The rationale behind this rule is simple: the faster you travel, the less time everyone has to react to unexpected situations. 

For example, you’re cycling at a great speed, crossing the pedestrian lane, and a bus driver spots a blurry figure darting across the road—by the time the driver hits the break, it could already be too late to avoid a collision.

To mitigate such risks, cyclists must cross pedestrian and zebra crossings at a “walking speed.” 

Singapore authorities impose a hefty fine of S$5,000 if a cyclist is caught causing an accident with a pedestrian while crossing the lane because of overspeeding.

Wear your helmet when cycling.

Your brain is a precious organ – protecting it should be a no-brainer. That’s why you should wear your helmet when cycling in Singapore.

Unexpected obstacles or accidents can happen when riding your bike, and a helmet provides a crucial layer of protection for your head in case of impact.

But wearing a helmet is not just about keeping you safe on the road—it’s also mandatory in the Lion City and ensures you stay on the right side of the law.

The fine for cycling without a helmet in Singapore is initially set at $75 for first-time offenders and can reach S$100 for repeat violators.

Don’t ride side-by-side on single-lane roads.

Have you ever encountered a scenario where two buddies met on the road and tried to greet one another while cycling? You should avoid doing this because one of the cycling rules in Singapore is to avoid riding side-by-side with other cyclists.

But to be fair, for recreational cyclists, riding side-by-side makes group rides fun and considerably safer, as this practice deters reckless drivers who might attempt to pass too closely within the same lane.

However, it’s essential to recognize that fun rides don’t equate to best practice. While it may be tempting to chat with a co-cyclist, doing so can pose safety risks for other road users.

This can also impede traffic flow, making it difficult for vehicles to pass safely and reducing visibility for other bicycle riders, making them less noticeable to motorists.

If you’re caught riding side-by-side on your bicycle, especially on single-lane roads, you could face a fine of up to S$1,000.

Only use the cycling lane.

According to the Road Traffic (Bicycle) Rules in the Road Traffic Act, “When a bicycle lane is provided on the part of a road, no bicycle, power‑assisted bicycle, trishaw or tricycle shall be used on any other part of the roadway.”

In other words, if a cycling lane is available, cyclists must use it rather than the main road.

While there isn’t a specific fine for cyclists who opt not to utilize the bicycle lane in Singapore, that’s on you when an accident happens. So it’s better to follow this rule and make your bike ride a safer experience.

Don’t cycle on expressways or in road tunnels.

If you ever feel tempted to take shortcuts to reach your destination faster using expressways, you must resist this urge. One of the most crucial rules for cyclists in Singapore is to avoid cycling on these routes or in road tunnels.

These areas are strictly designated for motor and car vehicles and pose significant risks to cyclists due to high-speed traffic and limited visibility.

Plus, if there’s a checkpoint and you’re caught cycling here, you could be fined $S100 for a first offense and up to S$500 for repeat violators.

Here’s the list of expressways and road tunnels in the city-state where you’re not allowed to cycle:

Expressways

• Tampines Expressway (TPE)
• Marina Coastal Expressway (MCE)
• Seletar Expressway (SLE)
• East Coast Parkway (ECP)
• North-South Corridor (NSC) [to be completed in 2023]
• Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE)
• Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE)
• Kranji Expressway (KJE)
• Central Expressway (CTE)
• Pan Island Expressway (PIE)
• Kallang- Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE)

Road Tunnels

• Sentosa Gateway Tunnel (SGT)
• Fort Canning Tunnel (FCT)
• Woodsville Tunnel (WVT)

Travel in the direction of traffic flow.

In Singapore, riding in contrast to the traffic flow is a big no-no!

You must cycle in the same direction as the traffic around you. Riding against the flow of traffic not only increases the risk of accidents but also confuses other road users. 

Singaporean authorities take this regulation seriously. If you’re caught cycling against the traffic flow, you could face a fine of $S130.

Do not ride a bicycle without lights at night.

Are you someone who loves a late-night cycling adventure? Cycling at night without proper lighting is illegal and extremely dangerous.

In Singapore, cyclists must equip their bicycles with front and back lights and a rear reflector for night rides. This helps increase their visibility to other road users, reducing the risk of accidents.

It’s important to note that multicolored lighting on bicycles is not allowed under Singaporean regulations. Instead, cyclists must adhere to a specific color scheme for their lights: white lights on the front and red lights on the back.

This standardized lighting configuration ensures consistency and clarity for motorists and pedestrians, making it easier for them to identify bike riders’ movements on the road.

Failure to comply with this regulation can result in severe consequences. If you’re caught riding without lights and a reflector, you’ll be fined $1,000 and may even be sentenced to three months in jail.

Do not use your mobile phone while cycling.

You’re cycling and enjoying the breeze of the path when suddenly, your phone buzzes with a notification.

It’s tempting to sneak a glance, maybe even reply to that message. We get it. 

But here’s the reality check—using your mobile phone while cycling isn’t just risky; it’s against the law in Singapore, and for good reason.

Cycling requires your full attention and focus on the road ahead. Every second your eyes stray from the path increases the chances of an accident. 

If you’re caught using your mobile phone while driving your bicycle, you’ll be fined $S1,000 and can even be jailed for three months. 

Not worth it, right? So, just check your phone when you get to your destination.

Keep both hands on the handlebars of your bicycle.

Can you imagine cycling down the road, feeling invincible with your “no-hands” trick maneuvers, when suddenly a pedestrian steps out unexpectedly, or a car makes a sudden turn?

Without your hands firmly gripping the handlebars, you risk losing control and causing a collision. Not only is it dangerous, but it’s also illegal.

In Singapore, cyclists caught riding without both hands on the handlebars can face a hefty fine of up to $S5,000 and even six months of jail time. That’s no joke!

Sure, it might seem cool to showcase your skills, but what’s not cool is ending up with a broken rib or causing damage to property because of your recklessness.

So, next time you feel the urge to show off, we suggest saving the tricks for the skate park and keeping them from the road.

Use a bicycle that has handlebars that are more than 70cm wide.

You might not have given much thought to your bicycle’s handlebar width before, but in Singapore, it’s a crucial aspect regulated by law.

To comply with regulations and ensure safety on the road, your bicycle’s handlebars must be more than 70cm wide

This requirement isn’t just arbitrary; it enhances your control and maneuverability while riding. Wide handlebars provide better stability, especially when traveling through traffic or making sharp turns. 

You need to carry out a couple of key checks to ensure your bike is in good condition and compliant with Singapore’s regulations.

First, grab a tape measure and verify that your handlebars measure under 70cm in width. This ensures you’re within the legal limits.

Second, weighing your bike to ensure it falls under the 20kg mark is crucial. To do this, weigh yourself first, then weigh yourself again while carrying your bicycle, and finally, subtract the difference.

Now, here’s the good news: most bikes on the market weigh a manageable 10-14kg, perfectly compliant with the country’s bike weight regulations.

However, if you own a mountain bike designed for extreme terrain, you might encounter those ultra-wide handlebars for extra control. While these handlebars are great for rugged trails, they don’t quite meet Singapore’s standards for road cycling.

Failure to comply with these regulations could result in a hefty fine of up to S$1,000. 

Don’t forget to use cycling hand signals.

Can you imagine cycling down a road, contemplating your next turn, when suddenly you realize you forgot to signal? That innocent oversight could cost you a hefty $S5,000 fine if you end up in an accident.

Failing to use hand signals while cycling is categorized as dangerous riding, and the authorities don’t take it lightly. 

Signaling your intention well in advance is crucial to mitigate the risk of a rear-end collision when decelerating abruptly to make a turn.

These are some simple hand signals that can make a big difference in keeping everyone safe and informed:

Proceeding to the Left

Hold your left arm out horizontally, with your palm facing forward, indicating your intention to turn left.

Proceeding to the Right

Extend your right arm horizontally with your palm facing forward, signaling your intention to turn right.

Stopping

Extend your right arm out horizontally, with your forearm upright and your palm facing forward, indicating that you are coming to a halt.

Slowing Down

With your right arm out horizontally, turn your palm downward and move it up and down, signaling a decrease in speed. This motion indicates to other riders that you are slowing down, allowing them to react accordingly.

Bicycle rides in Singapore can be an enjoyable experience. Still, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations governing cycling to ensure your safety – and, of course, to stay on the right side of the law.

By exercising caution and courtesy while cycling, you can minimize the risks of any accidents when sharing the road with other riders.