Increase in number of cyclists killed or hurt in accidents

The number of cyclists hurt or killed in traffic accidents has been rising over the past three years, and experts blame an increase in the number of cyclists as well as a lack of infrastructure and education to guide them, reported The Straits Times. 

Last year, 17 cyclists or their pillion riders were killed in accidents, up from 15 each in 2014 and 2013, according to the latest statistics from the Traffic Police. The number of cyclists injured in accidents also rose, by 17 percent from 503 in 2014 to 590 last year. 

LoveCyclingSG co-founder Francis Chu said, "With more people using bikes for commuting or leisure, immediately, you can foresee capacity issues for the park connectors and the pavements. With more users in the same space, it is hard to avoid conflict." A lack of education on safe cycling has also contributed to the rise in accidents involving cyclists.

Experts say it is natural for accident statistics to rise as the cycling community here grows. Mr. Ang Hin Kee, an MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC and deputy chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Transport, said there is a need to redesign road infrastructure and traffic islands in housing estates to ensure adequate space for all users to navigate safely. "The environment has been engineered to smooth traffic flow or allow vehicles to move at a certain speed. But in certain areas where accidents have happened, we may need to change the environment and sacrifice some speed or expediency for safety," he said.