'Very inconvenient': Residents, shop owners frustrated by indiscriminately parked bicycles despite stepped-up enforcement

Residents and shop owners in Singapore are growing increasingly frustrated with bicycles being parked indiscriminately, despite increased enforcement efforts by the Land Transport Authority (LTA). The LTA removed 489 bicycles in the first 10 months of 2026, primarily at high-traffic locations such as MRT stations and transport hubs, to clear public passageways and make parking spaces available for other cyclists. However, the problem persists, hindering the daily lives of many residents and workers.

Mdm Kua, a 55-year-old postal worker, and Mrs Tan, a 69-year-old resident, both recounted their daily struggles with bicycles obstructing letterboxes and walkways. Mdm Kua spends time moving bicycles aside to deliver mail, while Mrs Tan has seen elderly residents and wheelchair users struggle to pass through narrow gaps left by parked bicycles. The frustration is further compounded by some cyclists' reluctance to move their bikes upon being asked, leading to hostile responses when confronted.

Despite these challenges, the LTA has taken steps to address the issue, introducing stricter regulations and penalties for those who leave bicycles inappropriately. The impounded bicycles will now be disposed of after seven days, rather than the previous 30-day limit. However, despite these efforts, the indiscriminate bicycle parking continues to be a pervasive issue in certain hotspots near transport nodes across Singapore.