As 23 cyclists streamed across a Punggol junction at night on 14 September, one crashed onto the road, causing another to crash into the first cyclist’s fallen bike. The accident was caught on video and posted to the “SG Road Vigilante” Facebook group on 15 September.
Background
The incident occurred at the intersection of Punggol North Avenue and Punggol Way at 10:48 pm. The footage, captured from a stationary car waiting at a red light, shows a group of about two dozen cyclists crossing the junction. The video highlights the risks associated with large groups of cyclists navigating busy roads.
The fall
In the video, a cyclist dressed in black loses control and crashes to the ground, tumbling forward. Immediately after, another cyclist in white collides with the fallen bike and is sent flying. Both bikes end up in a heap next to each other. As the two cyclists get to their feet, other cyclists continue crossing the junction, with some slowing down to avoid further collisions. In total, 23 cyclists are seen making the crossing. One cyclist in blue stops to assist the fallen pair, who eventually wheel their bikes away.
May have been separate groups of cyclists
Responses to the video highlighted the dangers of riding in large groups. One commenter suggested that the cyclists might have been from separate groups, as there was a noticeable gap between them. The mishap may have resulted from a “lack of judgment” rather than the sheer number of cyclists. Others pointed out that such accidents could endanger other road users if cyclists fall and obstruct oncoming traffic.
In Singapore, it is an offence to cycle on roads in groups larger than five cyclists in a single file or ten cyclists riding two abreast. Groups should also maintain a minimum distance of 30 metres, or two lamp posts, between one another.
Related incidents
This incident is not isolated. There have been multiple reports of cyclists breaching group size regulations and causing accidents. In May 2024, several cyclists were caught by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) for violating group size rules in Clementi. These incidents underscore the importance of adhering to cycling regulations to ensure the safety of all road users.
The recent accident in Punggol serves as a reminder of the potential hazards of group cycling and the need for strict compliance with road safety rules.
