Accidents involving cyclists surge to 4-year high with over 770 cases in 2025 as road safety worsens

SINGAPORE – The number of traffic accidents involving cyclists here has been on the rise, with a surge of almost 25 per cent reported in 2025.

In response to queries from The Straits Times, a police spokesman said there were a total of 772 accidents involving cyclists in 2025.

This is compared with 620 such accidents in 2024 and 581 in 2023.

The spokesman added that more than half of these accidents were because of cycling in a disorderly manner and failing to keep a proper lookout.

Of the accidents in 2025, 17 were fatal. In comparison, there were 13 fatal accidents in 2024 and 15 in 2023.

Cyclists include those using power-assisted bicycles, recumbent bicycles, trishaws and tricycles.

Numbers previously provided by the police showed accidents involving cyclists had hit a high of over 780 in 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic, but fell to below 750 in 2022, when public gathering restrictions began to ease.

The recent surge in traffic accidents involving cyclists coincides with the worsening situation on Singapore’s roads, with traffic deaths hitting a 10-year high of 149 in 2025, compared with 141 in 2016.

The number of people getting injured also rose from 9,342 in 2024 to 9,955 in 2025.

ST is running stories to remind all road users to be responsible, given the dire statistics.

Videos of errant cyclists have frequently been shared online.

Recently, videos showed a group of cyclists beating the red light at the junction of Jalan Bahar and Nanyang Avenue near Nanyang Technological University, a cyclist riding inside the Marina Coastal Expressway tunnel, and a large group of young people cycling along West Coast Highway, with some of them allegedly holding on to moving lorries.

Cyclists are not allowed in expressway tunnels and should not ride in groups of more than 10.

The police spokesman said cyclists riding on the road are expected to comply with all traffic rules, including obeying traffic signals and road markings.

They should ride in a predictable and consistent manner, keep to the left of the road, and always be mindful of other road users.

A common gripe regarding cyclists is how some transition from riding on the road to using a pedestrian crossing when faced with a red light.

This is technically allowed, but the police spokesman said the cyclists must do so safely and in a manner that does not endanger themselves or others.

He said: “When using a pedestrian crossing, cyclists take on the same responsibilities as pedestrians and must not ride in a manner that puts pedestrians at risk.”

The spokesman added that depending on the circumstances of each case, errant cyclists can be liable for offences such as not riding in an orderly manner and with due regard for the safety of others.

If convicted, they can be jailed for up to three months and fined up to $1,000. The penalties are doubled for repeat offenders.

Cyclists who cause hurt to others can also be liable for the offence of rash act causing hurt, and can be jailed for up to year and fined $5,000.

In more serious cases, cyclists can be charged with a rash act causing grievous hurt, and can be jailed for up to four years and fined up to $10,000.

David Sun is The Straits Times’ crime correspondent. He has a background in criminology and is a licensed private investigator.