The Straits Times reported that Ms. Irene Ng (Tampines GRC), in Parliament yesterday, set out major changes for the Government to advocate cycling.

She wants government agencies to coordinate more in producing cycling laws and enforcement policy, stiffer penalties for drivers in accidents with cyclists and pedestrians, as well as a major public education campaign to instil in motorists the rights of cyclists - including changing the driving test to include cycling safety.

She also noted that as traffic and road design in Singapore do not take into account cyclist safety, they reinforce the incorrect perception that bicycles do not belong on the road.

Ms. Ng proposed that targeting cycling to form five percent of the transport pie by 2020, from the current two percent, would show that the Government is serious in promoting cycling.

Parliamentary Secretary for Transport Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim agreed that rules and norms for cyclists are currently 'not entirely clear to the average person'. The authorities, however, are looking into changing this.

He said that a national but voluntary education programme for cyclists will soon be ready for schools, community centres and foreign worker dormitories.

The Government will soon also discuss with the public and various groups 'who may have conflicting interests' a set of cycling rules and norms for the island. It may also look into making it compulsory for buildings to provide bicycle parking facilities.