Baey Yam Keng reports minor injuries after collision with cyclist during morning run

SINGAPORE: Minister of State for Transport Baey Yam Keng said he encountered a minor accident during a morning run, resulting in a fall and light abrasions.

According to his Facebook post on 25 November 2025, Baey, who is also Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth and Member of Parliament for Tampines GRC, was running along a pavement before needing to cross a one-way neighbourhood road.

He noted that traffic on the road was usually light. He checked to his right for approaching vehicles and, seeing none, began to cross.

However, a cyclist travelling from his left and against the traffic flow appeared at the same moment.

Baey said he could not stop in time, colliding with her and landing on his right knee.

The cyclist toppled but managed not to fall. Baey wrote that a tall roadside bush had blocked her view of him.

She apologised, and he reassured her that his injuries were superficial.

Baey added that the quiet surroundings and obstructed visibility contributed to the collision.

He acknowledged that both parties shared responsibility, remarking that accidents can occur due to lapses in attention.

He said his phone “had it worse” than he did.

Supporters expressed concern and wished him a quick recovery.

Some highlighted that visibility issues such as overgrown bushes often appear normal to external observers.

Others noted the irony of the incident occurring to someone who has frequently advocated safe riding.

Concerns about visibility caused by roadside plants have been raised previously on social media, with some road users questioning why, although Singapore prides itself on being a “garden city”, some greenery is allowed to obstruct drivers’ views when emerging from driveways or side roads.

Baey Yam Keng: 25km/h is a maximum on shared paths, cyclists must slow near pedestrians

The episode comes shortly after extended parliamentary discussions on cycling safety.

During the sitting on 15 October 2025, Baey responded to questions from MPs Goh Sze Kee and Dennis Tan on speed limits and protection for vulnerable pedestrians, including the elderly.

According to Baey’s explanation, the 25 km/h limit on shared paths reflects normal cycling speeds and is a maximum, not a target. He emphasised that cyclists should slow down and give way to pedestrians, especially in crowded areas.

He said the Land Transport Authority continues to run education campaigns and community engagement programmes to promote safe behaviour.

MP Goh questioned whether the 25 km/h limit could be too high, noting its equivalence to a fast jog across short distances and suggesting that a lower limit could improve reaction times and safety.

In response, Baey said the limit had been set by the Active Mobility Advisory Panel after extensive consultations. He explained that shared paths are generally wider, allowing pedestrians to keep left and enabling cyclists to overtake safely.

For narrower footpaths, he said the limit had already been lowered to 10 km/h, with motorised devices barred from use. He added that authorities would continue monitoring the situation and revise rules when necessary.

Workers’ Party MP Dennis Tan also commented that speeds near 25 km/h were more typical of road cycling than shared paths. He expressed concern about overtaking manoeuvres at higher speeds and asked about the extent of public education on shared-path etiquette.

Baey reiterated that education has been ongoing since 2016, involving schools, community groups and areas identified by public feedback.

He emphasised that 25 km/h is the upper limit and that cyclists must slow down when paths are crowded or when obstacles appear.

He also said that reckless cyclists would face enforcement action.

In an earlier September statement to Parliament, Baey reported that about five fines had been issued to cyclists riding on pedestrian-only paths since enforcement began on 1 July 2025.

Under LTA rules, offenders may face fines of up to S$2,000 (US$1,550), imprisonment of up to three months, or both.