SINGAPORE — While cyclists and those with personal mobility devices (PMDs) have welcomed the Activity Mobility Advisory Panel’s proposed new regulations for the safe sharing of paths, pedestrians are concerned whether the rules could be enforced.

For example, some wonder how the authorities are going to enforce the 15kmh speed limit for bicycles and PMDs on footpaths.

Some pedestrians interviewed by TODAY recalled instances where they were knocked down by cyclists while they were walking on a footpath.

For communications executive Wong Anqi, 25, one unpleasant encounter with a cyclist left her with some abrasions after she fell to the ground.

“The cyclist just apologised and cycled away. It’s too dangerous and I feel like I have no protection,” she said.”

Mr Woon Taiwoon, who co-founded cycling group Love Cycling SG, suggested that cyclists should ring their bells about 50m away from pedestrians to alert them.

“They (pedestrians) are more than willing to let you (pass) through,” said the 42-year-old product designer.

To address concerns about reimbursement when accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists or PMD users occur, Member of Parliament (MP) Zaqy Mohamad (Chua Chu Kang GRC) said a legal body should be established that can help assess damage claims. “Today, even with the code of conduct, one needs to lodge a civil suit to make claims because unlike motor vehicles, bicycles are not under any licensing regime,” he added.

In terms of stepping up enforcement, MP Lim Biow Chuan (Mountbatten SMC) said more park rangers could be deployed at the Park Connector Network to ensure that bicycles or PMD users will not go over the speed limit.

SIM University senior lecturer Walter Theseira said the proposed regulations will “not directly” address pedestrians’ concerns about accidents on footpaths. However, he noted that the new rules “explicitly allow” bicycles and PMDs on footpaths, whereas in the past they were not allowed, although they were in practice “generally tolerated”.

“The best solution will likely be to ensure that, as far as possible, cycling, shared paths exist for higher traffic routes and areas, so that cyclists and PMD users can minimise potentially dangerous interactions with pedestrians,” said Dr Theseira.

Meanwhile, some businesses told TODAY that they expect to see a surge in sales, especially in PMDs, following the release of the panel’s recommendations.

The use of PMDs, such as electric scooters and hoverboards, on footpaths has been in a grey area, and companies welcome the clarity, and expect sales to be brisker.

“If the new rules are concrete —there will be a lot more people using PMDs on the road, because it is less stringent than the others, and can be used on more types of pathways, including footpaths,” said Mr Chris Kuah, owner of A-Tech Bike Supply.

However, he feels that Singaporeans have more to learn in being more polite and gracious by giving way to one another on the road and pathways.

“In Vietnam, they don’t have proper traffic lights, but accidents are still very few because their mentality is to give way to one another. If everybody is like the Japanese — who have good manners — everybody is all happy with one another,” said Mr Kuah.