Road Traffic (Bicycles, Three-wheeled Pedal Cycles, Trishaws and Recumbent Devices — Road Conduct) Rules

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, power-assisted bicycles and tricycles 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]

(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]

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY

Road Traffic (Bicycles, Three-wheeled Pedal Cycles, Trishaws and Recumbent Devices — Road Conduct) Rules

 

formerly known as the Road Traffic (Bicycles) Rules
This Legislative History is provided for the convenience of users of the Road Traffic (Bicycles) Rules. It is not part of these Rules.
1.	G. N. No. S 382/1955—Bicycles Rules 1955
	Date of commencement	:	25 November 1955
2.	G. N. No. S 78/1975—Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Amendments) Rules 1975
	Date of commencement	:	18 April 1975
3.	1990 Revised Edition—Road Traffic (Bicycles) Rules
	Date of operation	:	25 March 1992
4.	G. N. No. S 773/2004—Road Traffic (Bicycles) (Amendment) Rules 2004
	Date of commencement	:	1 January 2005
5.	G.N. No. S 273/2018—Road Traffic (Bicycles) (Amendment) Rules 2018
	Date of commencement	:	5 May 2018
6.	G.N. No. S 65/2019—Road Traffic (Bicycles) (Amendment) Rules 2019
	Date of commencement	:	1 February 2019
7.	G.N. No. S 656/2021—Road Traffic (Bicycles) (Amendment) Rules 2021
	Date of commencement	:	1 September 2021
8.	G.N. No. S 1029/2021—Road Traffic (Bicycles) (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2021
	Date of commencement	:	1 January 2022
9.	G.N. No. S 804/2022—Road Traffic (Bicycles) (Amendment) Rules 2022
	Date of commencement	:	16 October 2022
10.	G.N. No. S 161/2024—Road Traffic (Bicycles) (Amendment) Rules 2024
	Date of commencement	:	1 March 2024