Statute Details
- Title: Road Traffic (Bicycles) (Exemption) Order 2010
- Act Code: RTA1961-S71-2010
- Legislation Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Authorising Act: Road Traffic Act (Chapter 276)
- Enacting Power: Made under section 142 of the Road Traffic Act
- Commencement: 1 March 2010
- Current Version Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026 (per the legislation portal)
- Key Provisions: Section 1 (citation and commencement), Section 2 (definitions), Section 3 (exemption), and The Schedule (area specified)
What Is This Legislation About?
The Road Traffic (Bicycles) (Exemption) Order 2010 (“the Order”) is a targeted regulatory instrument that creates a narrow exemption for bicycle riders. In essence, it allows certain persons riding bicycles to use the footway of specified roads within a defined area—despite a general rule that would otherwise prohibit such riding.
Singapore’s road traffic framework distinguishes between different categories of road users and different types of road space. The general prohibition is contained in Rule 28 of the Road Traffic Rules. The Order modifies that position by disapplying Rule 28 for bicycle riders on the footway, but only within the geographic limits described in the Schedule.
Practically, the Order reflects a policy choice: in selected areas, bicycle riding on footways may be permitted to support cycling access, connectivity, or last-mile movement, while still maintaining restrictions elsewhere to protect pedestrians and manage safety. Because the exemption is both rule-specific and area-specific, it is important for practitioners to treat it as an exception that must be applied strictly.
What Are the Key Provisions?
Section 1: Citation and commencement provides the formal identity of the instrument and its effective date. The Order may be cited as the Road Traffic (Bicycles) (Exemption) Order 2010 and came into operation on 1 March 2010. For legal practice, this matters when assessing whether conduct occurred before or after the exemption took effect.
Section 2: Definitions sets the interpretive foundation. The definitions are carefully drafted to ensure that the exemption applies to the intended class of vehicles and road spaces. In particular:
- “bicycle” means a two-wheeled pedal cycle constructed or adapted for use as a means of conveyance, but excludes a power-assisted bicycle.
- “power-assisted bicycle” is defined as a bicycle equipped with an electric motor that may be propelled by muscular power, the electric motor, or both.
- “road” includes any public road and any other road to which the public has access, and includes any bridge over which a road passes, but excludes an expressway.
- “expressway” is cross-referenced to the Road Traffic Act definition in section 123A(12).
The definitional exclusions are significant. By excluding power-assisted bicycles from “bicycle”, the Order does not automatically extend the footway exemption to electrically assisted cycles. This distinction can affect enforcement outcomes, charging decisions, and the advice given to clients who may be operating different types of bicycles.
Section 3: Exemption is the operative provision. It states that Rule 28 of the Road Traffic Rules shall not apply to any person riding a bicycle on the footway of any road within the area specified in the Schedule.
Two elements must be satisfied for the exemption to apply:
- Person and vehicle: the rider must be “any person” riding a “bicycle” as defined (i.e., a two-wheeled pedal cycle excluding power-assisted bicycles).
- Location: the riding must be on the footway of a road, and the road must be within the geographic area specified in the Schedule.
Because the text provided in the extract does not reproduce the Schedule, practitioners should consult the Schedule directly to identify the precise area. The legal effect is not merely “in certain parts of Singapore” but in a defined area that may correspond to specific zones, roads, or boundaries. In litigation or compliance work, the Schedule is often the decisive document.
The Schedule is therefore central. It specifies the area within which the exemption applies. Even if a rider is using a qualifying bicycle, riding on the footway outside the Schedule will likely fall back under the general prohibition in Rule 28.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
The Order is structured in a conventional format for Singapore subsidiary legislation:
- Section 1 (Citation and commencement): identifies the instrument and its start date.
- Section 2 (Definitions): defines key terms used in the operative clause, including “bicycle”, “power-assisted bicycle”, “road”, and “expressway”.
- Section 3 (Exemption): provides the legal mechanism by disapplying Rule 28 of the Road Traffic Rules for bicycle riders on footways within the Schedule area.
- The Schedule: sets out the geographic area where the exemption applies.
Notably, the Order is short and focused. It does not create a general permission to ride on footways everywhere; instead, it operates as a targeted disapplication of a specific rule in a specific place.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Order applies to “any person” riding a “bicycle” (as defined) on the footway of a road within the Schedule area. This means it is not limited to residents, cyclists registered with any authority, or particular age groups. It is a general exemption for qualifying riders, subject to the location and vehicle-type conditions.
However, the exemption is not universal for all “bicycles” in everyday language. The statutory definition excludes power-assisted bicycles. Accordingly, a practitioner advising a client who uses an electric-assisted cycle should not assume that the Order provides coverage. The client’s device must be assessed against the statutory definition: if it is equipped with an electric motor and can be propelled by the motor (alone or with muscular power), it is likely a “power-assisted bicycle” and therefore outside the definition of “bicycle” for this Order.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
This Order is important because it changes the legal baseline for bicycle use of footways in a defined area. For cyclists, it can mean the difference between lawful conduct and an offence under the Road Traffic Rules. For enforcement authorities and legal practitioners, it provides a clear statutory exception that must be applied where its conditions are met.
From a compliance perspective, the Order’s practical impact is highly dependent on two facts: (1) the rider’s equipment (pedal bicycle vs. power-assisted bicycle) and (2) the exact location (whether the road is within the Schedule area). These are precisely the issues that often arise in incident reports, traffic enforcement, and disputes following collisions involving pedestrians and cyclists.
For lawyers, the Order also illustrates how Singapore’s traffic regime uses subsidiary legislation to fine-tune rules. The exemption is not a broad legislative reform; it is a narrow disapplication of Rule 28. That narrowness is legally meaningful: it supports arguments that the exemption should be interpreted strictly and not extended by analogy beyond its terms.
Finally, because the Order is current as at 27 March 2026 (per the portal status), practitioners should ensure they rely on the correct version and confirm whether any amendments have altered the Schedule or definitions. Even where the operative clause remains unchanged, the Schedule’s boundaries can be critical for determining whether conduct falls within the exemption.
Related Legislation
- Road Traffic Act (Chapter 276) — including section 142 (power to make the Order) and the definition of “expressway” in section 123A(12).
- Road Traffic Rules (R 20) — particularly Rule 28, which is disapplied by this Order for qualifying bicycle riders within the Schedule area.
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Road Traffic (Bicycles) (Exemption) Order 2010 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.