Road Traffic Act
(CHAPTER 276, Section 140)
Road Traffic (Bicycles, Three-wheeled Pedal Cycles, Trishaws and Recumbent Devices — Road Conduct) Rules
R 3
REVISED EDITION 1990
(1 February 2019)
[25 November 1955]
Citation
1.  These Rules may be cited as the Road Traffic (Bicycles, Three-wheeled Pedal Cycles, Trishaws and Recumbent Devices — Road Conduct) Rules.
[S 161/2024 wef 01/03/2024]
Definitions
2.  In these Rules, unless the context otherwise requires —
“full-day bicycle lane” has the meaning given by rule 7(11B) of the Road Traffic (Traffic Signs) Rules (R 33);
[S 804/2022 wef 16/10/2022]
[Deleted by S 273/2018 wef 05/05/2018]
“hours of darkness” means the time starting 7 p.m. and ending 7 a.m. the following day;
[S 273/2018 wef 05/05/2018]
[S 161/2024 wef 01/03/2024]
“part-day bicycle lane” has the meaning given by rule 7(11AA) of the Road Traffic (Traffic Signs) Rules;
[S 804/2022 wef 16/10/2022]
[S 161/2024 wef 01/03/2024]
“recumbent bicycle”, “recumbent device”, “three-wheeled pedal cycle” and “trishaw” have the meanings given by rule 2 of the Road Traffic (Bicycles, Three-wheeled Pedal Cycles, Trishaws and Recumbent Devices — Construction and Use) Rules 2024 (G.N. No. S 157/2024);
[S 161/2024 wef 01/03/2024]
[Deleted by S 273/2018 wef 05/05/2018]
Towing not permitted
3.—(1)  A rider of a bicycle, three-wheeled pedal cycle, trishaw, recumbent device or power-assisted bicycle on a road —
(a)must not tow another vehicle, with or without a person in or on that other vehicle; and
(b)must not be towed by another vehicle.
[S 161/2024 wef 01/03/2024]
(2)  A rider of a bicycle, three-wheeled pedal cycle, trishaw, recumbent device or power-assisted bicycle on a road must not hold onto another vehicle while the vehicle is moving on the road.
[S 161/2024 wef 01/03/2024]
[S 273/2018 wef 05/05/2018]
Restriction on number of persons carried
4.—(1)  Subject to paragraph (5), no bicycle, three-wheeled pedal cycle, trishaw or power-assisted bicycle shall be used to carry at one time more persons than the number for which it is designed.
[S 273/2018 wef 05/05/2018]
[S 161/2024 wef 01/03/2024]
(2)  Except as provided in paragraph (3), but subject to paragraphs (4) and (5), no person shall be carried as a pillion passenger on a bicycle, three-wheeled pedal cycle, trishaw or power-assisted bicycle unless the bicycle, three-wheeled pedal cycle, trishaw or power-assisted bicycle is designed such as to be provided with a seat for a pillion passenger.
[S 273/2018 wef 05/05/2018]
[S 161/2024 wef 01/03/2024]
(3)  A child below the age of 12 years may be carried on a properly constructed seat or carrier affixed to a bicycle (except a recumbent bicycle), three-wheeled pedal cycle or trishaw.
[S 273/2018 wef 05/05/2018]
[S 161/2024 wef 01/03/2024]
(4)  No person below the age of 16 years shall be carried as a pillion passenger on a power-assisted bicycle.
[S 773/2004 wef 01/01/2005]
(5)  A rider of a recumbent device or recumbent bicycle on a road must not carry or ride with any passenger.
[S 161/2024 wef 01/03/2024]
Riders to give signals
5.  The rider of a bicycle, three-wheeled pedal cycle, trishaw, recumbent device or power-assisted bicycle shall in order to inform traffic that he intends —
(a)to ‘stop’ — hold out his right arm horizontally with the forearm vertical and with the palm of the hand to the front;
(b)to ‘slow down’ — hold out his right arm horizontally with the palm of the hand downwards, and move the arm up and down several times;
(c)to ‘proceed to the right’ — hold out his right arm horizontally with the palm of the hand to the front; and
(d)to ‘proceed to the left’ — hold out his left arm horizontally with the palm of the hand to the front.
[S 273/2018 wef 05/05/2018]
[S 161/2024 wef 01/03/2024]
Signals to be made in sufficient time
6.  Signals under rule 5 shall be made in sufficient time to enable traffic to take appropriate action for the avoidance of danger.
Travelling abreast prohibited
7.—(1)  No bicycle, three-wheeled pedal cycle, trishaw, recumbent device or power-assisted bicycle shall be ridden on the right of a motor vehicle proceeding in the same direction except when overtaking that motor vehicle.
[S 773/2004 wef 01/01/2005]
[S 273/2018 wef 05/05/2018]
[S 161/2024 wef 01/03/2024]
(2)  Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), the rider of a bicycle, three-wheeled pedal cycle, trishaw, recumbent device or power-assisted bicycle on a road with a single lane must not ride the bicycle, three-wheeled pedal cycle, trishaw, recumbent device or power-assisted bicycle (as the case may be) such that it remains abreast and to the right of another rider of a bicycle, three-wheeled pedal cycle, trishaw, recumbent device or power-assisted bicycle in that lane.
[S 273/2018 wef 05/05/2018]
[S 161/2024 wef 01/03/2024]
(3)  Paragraph (2) does not prevent the rider of a bicycle, three-wheeled pedal cycle, trishaw, recumbent device or power-assisted bicycle overtaking the rider of another bicycle, three-wheeled pedal cycle, trishaw, recumbent device or power-assisted bicycle.
[S 273/2018 wef 05/05/2018]
[S 161/2024 wef 01/03/2024]
(4)  The rider of a bicycle, three-wheeled pedal cycle, trishaw, recumbent device or power-assisted bicycle on a road with 2 or more lanes for the use of vehicles travelling in the same direction may ride the bicycle, three-wheeled pedal cycle, trishaw, recumbent device or power-assisted bicycle (as the case may be) in one lane such that it remains abreast and to the right of another rider of a bicycle, three-wheeled pedal cycle, trishaw, recumbent device or power-assisted bicycle in that same lane and direction.
[S 273/2018 wef 05/05/2018]
[S 161/2024 wef 01/03/2024]
(5)  The rider of a bicycle, three-wheeled pedal cycle, trishaw, recumbent device or power-assisted bicycle on a road with a bus lane must not ride the bicycle, three-wheeled pedal cycle, trishaw, recumbent device or power-assisted bicycle (as the case may be) such that it remains abreast and to the right of another rider of a bicycle, three-wheeled pedal cycle, trishaw, recumbent device or power-assisted bicycle in the bus lane during its hours of operation.
[S 273/2018 wef 05/05/2018]
[S 161/2024 wef 01/03/2024]
(6)  [Deleted by S 804/2022 wef 16/10/2022]
Cycling groups
7A.—(1)  Subject to paragraphs (2) and (2A), a person must not ride a bicycle, three-wheeled pedal cycle, recumbent device or power-assisted bicycle on a road in a cycling group that consists of more than 5 bicycles, three-wheeled pedal cycles, recumbent devices or power-assisted bicycles (or any combination of them).
[S 804/2022 wef 16/10/2022]
[S 161/2024 wef 01/03/2024]
(2)  Without affecting rule 7, a person may ride a bicycle, three-wheeled pedal cycle, recumbent device or power-assisted bicycle on a road in a cycling group that consists of more than 5 but not more than 10 bicycles, three-wheeled pedal cycles, recumbent devices or power-assisted bicycles (or any combination of them) if —
(a)the road has 2 or more lanes for the use of vehicles travelling in the same direction;
(b)the person does not ride in a bus lane during the hours of operation of the bus lane; and
(c)the number of bicycles, three-wheeled pedal cycles, recumbent devices or power-assisted bicycles in the cycling group being ridden abreast of another bicycle, three-wheeled pedal cycle, recumbent device or power-assisted bicycle in the cycling group is not less than the following:
(number of bicycles, power-assisted bicycles and tricycles in the cycling group × 2) – 10.
[S 161/2024 wef 01/03/2024]
[S 161/2024 wef 01/03/2024]
(2A)  Paragraph (1) does not apply to or in relation to —
(a)a section of a road that is a full-day bicycle lane; and
(b)a section of a road that is a part-day bicycle lane, on a Sunday at any time between 5 a.m. and 11 a.m.
[S 804/2022 wef 16/10/2022]
(3)  When travelling on a road in a cycling group, a person (A) who rides a bicycle, three-wheeled pedal cycle, recumbent device or power-assisted bicycle in the cycling group must (unless there is a reasonable excuse for A not to do so) maintain a distance from any person (B) in the cycling group who is in front of A that does not exceed the distance that is sufficient for A to manoeuvre safely on the road.
[S 161/2024 wef 01/03/2024]
(4)  In this rule, “cycling group” means a group of persons —
(a)with a common intention to meet in person for the purpose of riding any bicycles, three-wheeled pedal cycles, recumbent devices or power-assisted bicycles (or any combination of them); or
[S 161/2024 wef 01/03/2024]
(b)who have an agreement or understanding to ride any bicycles, three-wheeled pedal cycles, recumbent devices or power-assisted bicycles (or any combination of them) as a group.
[S 161/2024 wef 01/03/2024]
[S 1029/2021 wef 01/01/2022]
Bicycle lanes
7B.—(1)  If there is a full-day bicycle lane on a road, a person must not ride a bicycle, three-wheeled pedal cycle, trishaw, recumbent device or power-assisted bicycle on a part of the road that is not the full-day bicycle lane (unless there is a reasonable excuse for the person to do so).
[S 161/2024 wef 01/03/2024]
(2)  If there is a part-day bicycle lane on a road, a person must not ride a bicycle, three-wheeled pedal cycle, trishaw, recumbent device or power-assisted bicycle on a part of the road that is not the part-day bicycle lane, on a Sunday at any time between 5 a.m. and 11 a.m. (unless there is a reasonable excuse for the person to do so).
[S 161/2024 wef 01/03/2024]
[S 804/2022 wef 16/10/2022]
Bicycle, etc., to be ridden on left side of road
8.  A person who rides a bicycle, three-wheeled pedal cycle, trishaw recumbent device or power-assisted bicycle on a road must ride the bicycle, three-wheeled pedal cycle, trishaw, recumbent device or power-assisted bicycle as near as practicable to the far left edge of the road.
[S 273/2018 wef 05/05/2018]
[S 161/2024 wef 01/03/2024]
Load limitations
9.—(1)  A person must not ride a bicycle, recumbent device or power-assisted bicycle on a road carrying a load that —
(a)is of such dimensions as to cause or be likely to cause danger, obstruction or annoyance to persons using the road; or
(b)is not properly and rigidly secured to the bicycle, recumbent device or power-assisted bicycle.
[S 161/2024 wef 01/03/2024]
[S 161/2024 wef 01/03/2024]
(2)  A person must not ride a three-wheeled pedal cycle on a road carrying a load that —
(a)is overhanging from the three-wheeled pedal cycle; or
(b)is of a height that is more than one metre from the ground.
[S 161/2024 wef 01/03/2024]
[S 273/2018 wef 05/05/2018]
Bicycle, etc., to be ridden in orderly manner
10.  No bicycle, three-wheeled pedal cycle, trishaw, recumbent device or power-assisted bicycle shall be ridden or propelled otherwise than in an orderly manner and with due regard for the safety of others.
[S 273/2018 wef 05/05/2018]
[S 161/2024 wef 01/03/2024]
No riding against flow of traffic
11.  A person must not ride a bicycle, three-wheeled pedal cycle, trishaw, recumbent device or power-assisted bicycle on a road against the flow of traffic.
[S 273/2018 wef 05/05/2018]
[S 161/2024 wef 01/03/2024]
11A.  [Deleted by S 161/2024 wef 01/03/2024]
12.  [Deleted by S 161/2024 wef 01/03/2024]
Requirements for use of power-assisted bicycle
13.—(1)  No person shall keep or use a power-assisted bicycle on a road unless the power-assisted bicycle —
(a)complies with the requirements specified in the Schedule to the Road Traffic (Power-Assisted Bicycles — Approval) Rules 2004 (G.N. No. S 768/2004);
[S 273/2018 wef 05/05/2018]
(b)has been approved and sealed in accordance with those Rules; and
[S 273/2018 wef 05/05/2018]
(c)has been registered and bears a registration number plate in accordance with the Road Traffic (Registration of Power‑Assisted Bicycles) Rules 2017 (G.N. No. S 451/2017).
[S 273/2018 wef 05/05/2018]
[S 273/2018 wef 05/05/2018]
(2)  No person below the age of 16 years shall ride a power-assisted bicycle on a road.
(3)  [Deleted by S 65/2019 wef 01/02/2019]
Wearing of helmets
14.  Every person who —
(a)rides a bicycle, three-wheeled pedal cycle, recumbent device or power-assisted bicycle on a road; or
[S 161/2024 wef 01/03/2024]
(b)is carried as a pillion passenger on a bicycle (that is not a recumbent bicycle), three-wheeled pedal cycle or power-assisted bicycle on a road,
[S 161/2024 wef 01/03/2024]
must wear securely on his head a suitable protective bicycle helmet.
[S 65/2019 wef 01/02/2019]
15.  [Deleted by S 161/2024 wef 01/03/2024]
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Last updated 16 Apr 2024
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