SINGAPORE A lack of etiquette, a disregard for laws and a need to exhibit showmanship are some key reasons why accidents between cyclists tend to occur.
Some longtime cyclists blamed it on rookies venturing out on their two-wheelers despite a lack of awareness, while others said that seasoned cyclists especially those in groups are typically the ones causing conflicts and crashes on the road as they overtake slower riders.
Legal experts observed that cyclists can be just as reckless as drivers by switching lanes without warning, for example, and cautioned that cyclists should be more circumspect because there is not much recourse they can take when accidents happen.
Even though accidents commonly occur between cyclists and motorists or pedestrians, a recent video online showing a collision between two groups of cyclists along Upper Thomson Road last Sunday (April 16) went viral.
Commenting on such cases where only cyclists are involved, Mr Shane Lim, who is a service provider at a bicycle workshop and is an avid cyclist himself, said that he sees an average of one accident involving two cyclists a month from his clientele.
These complaints that Mr Lims clients made were mostly about other cycling groups that they had chanced upon along the way.
Usually when separate cycling groups bump into each other by chance on their pre-planned routes, overtaking can create conflicts between the two groups.
If one group overtakes in a reckless manner, or overtakes while too near, or fast, or close to the other group, then an incident might happen. These have caused some of my clients to crash, Mr Lim added.
Most people who cycle in groups on the road are doing it socially, like spin class with your friends, Mr Lim said, or to explore the island recreationally.
These groups can be found on social networking platforms such as Facebook, Instagram or Telegram, and organisers pre-plan routes and schedules for cyclists to sign up.
However, there is a minority of cycling groups that hit the tarmac because of a need for speed.
These cyclists are trying to go as fast as possible, or are trying to train endurance and athletic ability, Mr Lim said.
When recreational and more seasoned groups end up sharing the same roads, tension and conflict occur.
Most cycling accidents happen when overtaking, Mr Lim added. So when they have to fight for space on the same roads that are quite narrow, and someone tries to overtake, people can crash.
Competing for use of space aside, most cyclists even rookies are aware of the regulations under the Land Transport Authority (LTA) such as riding with a helmet and tail lights, and the rule of having two cyclists on one lane.
Apart from rules and regulations, newer road cyclists might need to learn basic etiquette such as always overtaking on the left, how to call potholes and signal intentions, and the hand signs that cyclists use to communicate, Mr Lim said.
With more people taking up cycling as a hobby, cases of bad cycling etiquette have also been on the rise.
Speaking to TODAY, Mr Benjamin Kwek, an avid cyclist who has been with the cycling group Joyriders Singapore for close to 10 years, pointed out that new riders fromthe cycling boom that happened during Covid-19 are the unexperienced black sheep of the cycling scene here in recent times.
Established cycling groups have good discipline and manners. At Joyriders, the group leaders will remind members to follow (the rules) and observe good riding (etiquette) like signalling before overtaking, but this is not (so) for the new kids.
Another avid cyclist, Mr David Ho, who runs the Facebook group West Coast Riders, agreed with Mr Kweks comments.
Most cyclists are responsible and will give way to other road users," said Mr Ho.
"Those who are more experienced will observe the rules and it's safe. It's the less experienced cyclists who may end up riding dangerously without properly observing the (correct) riding etiquette.
When asked how riders may acquire better etiquette, Mr Ho pointed to the importance of education and enforcement of rules to ensure the safety of both cyclists and other road users.
A combination of education, regulations and enforcement. Can't have one without the other, he said.
Mr Kwek from Joyriders Singapore suggested holding roadshows and workshops to educate the public about riding etiquette as well as the dos and donts when cycling in a group on the road.
Perhaps there could also be more officers to enforce the rules laid out by LTA as well, he added.
In the case of a collision between a cyclist and a motor vehicle, lawyers approached by TODAY said that any legal recourse would be evidence-based, relying on footage from dashcams.
Associate Professor Ferlin Jayatissa, who heads the law programmeat the Singapore University of Social Sciences, pointed out the misconception most people have that drivers are often the ones to blame in such accidents.
It is imperative for drivers and cyclists to have dashcam footage to safeguard themselves.
People have the misconception that drivers are always in the wrong, but cyclists can breach the rules by suddenly cutting into the lane.
Similarly, any legal suits involving collisions between two cyclists will need evidence to determine who is liable for damages.
Mr Chooi Jing Yen, a partner at law firm Eugene Thuraisingam LLP, indicated that accidents involving road cyclists might also be captured by dashcams from cars around them.
However, it must be noted that cyclists do not have mandatory insurance, like car owners, and so the way to get compensation is through legal action, Mr Chooi said.
He outlined two ways that cyclists can pursue legal action should they be involved in an accident:
If criminal charges are preferred against the opposing party, the opposing party might choose to mitigate the sentence by offering compensation to the victim.
So how can cyclists stay safe when cycling in groups then?
Mr Steven Lim, vice-president of the Singapore Cycling Federations safe cycling task force, emphasised the importance of cyclists maintaining a safe distance from each other when on the road.
Keep a distance of at least one bicycle length apart so that you have enough space and time to react in the case of a collision.
Stay alert when cycling in a group and always take note of your surroundings, at least two to three riders ahead of you.
With all things said, Mr Lim stressed the importance of personal responsibility when riding in groups.
Education would help to remind the public of safe cycling etiquette, but more importantly, individuals still have to be vigilant about their cycling journey and safety.
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Group cyclists can ride safely on the road but rookies need better ... - TODAY