LTA responds to video of elderly cyclist kneeling before officers on overhead bridge

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has acknowledged that its enforcement officers may have handled the situation more sensitively after a video surfaced showing an elderly cyclist kneeling before two LTA officers on an overhead bridge. The incident occurred on August 27 near Block 95 Aljunied Crescent, according to The Straits Times.

The video, posted on Reddit, depicts a woman in a yellow shirt kneeling before the officers, who have since been identified, while gesturing toward a bicycle parked nearby. According to LTA, cycling across pedestrian-only overhead bridges is prohibited, as these structures are primarily intended for pedestrians and have limited space.

In February, the LTA reported that they had detected 391 violations and 57 non-compliant devices at active mobility hotspots, including Pedestrian Overhead Bridges. While the officers involved carried out their duties in accordance with the rules to ensure pedestrian safety, the LTA spokesperson stated that the authorities empathize with the distress experienced by the elderly cyclist.

The spokesperson emphasized that enforcement encounters can sometimes be challenging, particularly when public members are distressed, and that the officers involved could have managed the situation with greater empathy. The officers have since reflected on the incident and recognized that they could have handled it with more compassion.

LTA added that it will continue to enhance its officers' training to better equip them to manage such sensitive situations while enforcing safety rules fairly and consistently for all users of its public paths. The video of the cyclist and enforcement officers received mixed reactions online. While most Redditors agreed that the law is the law, some expressed sympathy for the elderly cyclist and called for more compassion for others.

Others empathized with the enforcement officers, stating that they would be at a loss for what to do. Effective July 1, 2025, first-time offenders convicted of riding bicycles as well as motorized and non-motorized personal mobility devices (PMDs) on pedestrian-only paths could face fines of up to S$2,000 or imprisonment for up to three months, or both.