A PANEL tasked with developing a set of rules to govern mobility devices has recommended that bicycles be allowed on all footpaths.

All personal mobility devices (PMDs), except electric bicycles, should also be allowed on the pavement, but with a speed limit of 15kmh, the panel said. These include kick scooters, electric scooters and unicycles.

Currently, cycling is legal only on footpaths in Tampines town – cyclists riding on the pavement elsewhere can be fined $30 for the first offence.

The 14-member panel, headed by Nee Soon GRC MP Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, unveiled its proposed set of rules and guidelines yesterday, after eight months of work.

Its recommendations cover three broad areas – rules and a code of conduct for users; the types of devices to be allowed on footpaths, cycling paths and shared paths; and the criteria for devices that are allowed in public spaces.

These guidelines are another step in the Government’s move towards a car-lite nation.

Observers have called for a clear set of rules and norms for cycling, on top of providing more infrastructure.

Said Dr Faishal: “The panel focused on developing a set of rules and a code of conduct which… are practical, clear, fair and, most importantly, safeguard the safety of all users.”

He noted that in a small island such as Singapore, it is not possible to maximise everyone’s interests and space.

“However, if we can build up a culture of graciousness and safety, we will be able to better take care of everyone’s needs,” he said.

The panel’s recommendations, if accepted by the Government, mean commuters using conventional bicycles will be able to ride on footpaths, shared paths and roads.

Those on scooters or mobility aids such as motorised wheelchairs will be able to go on both footpaths and cycling paths while those on electric bicycles can ride only on cycling and shared paths, or on roads.

The panelalso proposed registering electric bicycles so it is easier to take action against errant riders and those who illegally modify their bicycles.

A cap on the speed limit on cycling and shared paths was also proposed: 25kmh.

Also suggested were the physical specifications that all devices must follow to protect vulnerable users. For instance, the weight of each device should not exceed 20kg.

These criteria will reduce the risk of serious injuries should there be collisions.

Motorised devices should have a maximum speed of 25kmh, so they do not exceed the speed limit on paths.

On the code of conduct, the panel stressed that PMD users must give way to pedestrians on footpaths and shared paths.

They should ride at a speed that is not too fast compared to others sharing the path, and be prepared to dismount at areas with high pedestrian traffic.

All devices must have a white light in front and red light at the back, which must be switched on at night.

Dr Faishal said the rules must be complemented by public education, effective enforcement and more cycling infrastructure. Singapore’s National Cycling Plan calls for 700km of cycling paths by 2030.

roysim@sph.com.sg

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ELIGIBLE Singaporeans will not need to apply for the Silver Support Scheme – for those aged 65 or more – when it is launched this year.

They will receive their quarterly cash payments automatically.

The scheme, to help cash-strapped retirees cope with living expenses, is the latest to join the growing list of financial help programmes in which recipients are automatically included.

The Silver Support Scheme was first announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the National Day Rally Speech in August 2014.

When the law was passed to implement the scheme last August, Manpower Minister Lim Swee Say said in Parliament that about 150,000 Singaporeans will receive a quarterly payout of $300 to $750 this year.

Asked for an update this week, the Manpower Ministry (MOM), which is spearheading the scheme, would say only that the details are still being worked out.

But a spokesman disclosed that those who are eligible “will automatically receive payouts as long as they remain eligible”.

“All eligible recipients will be notified in due course,” she added.

MOM would not say when or how eligible recipients would be notified but the spokesman said: “We are finalising the eligibility criteria and operational details.

“More information on the Scheme will be announced during Budget 2016.”

Mr Lim has said in Parliament previously that the Government will consider factors such as lifetime wages, the level of household support and housing type to determine if a person qualifies.

The scheme is one of the most highly anticipated government programmes of the Budget, to be unveiled next week.

During campaigning in the general election last September, PM Lee described the scheme as one that helps seniors to “have a pension in old age”.

It is part of a broader package that includes the Pioneer Generation Package and Central Provident Fund top-ups to give seniors greater peace of mind in their golden years, he had said.

Patrick Tay, who chairs the Government Parliamentary Committee for Manpower, welcomes the auto-inclusion scheme. “This will make it seamless for all who qualify,” said Mr Tay, adding: “There may be Singaporeans who may be unaware or fail to apply for it for a variety of reasons.”

He said there should be provisions for those who miss the criteria to be able to appeal.

Besides making it more effective to implement, the auto-inclusion scheme has other emotional and psychological benefits too, said Seah Kian Peng, who chairs the Government Parliamentary Committee for Social and Family Development.

“The seniors who’re eligible… know they are being cared for by the Government. It adds to our quest to build a more caring and inclusive society,” he noted.

tohyc@sph.com.sg

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While motor insurance fraud has traditionally been a huge worry for insurers, companies are seeing an emerging trend – dubious travel insurance claims.

The General Insurance Association (GIA) said the sector is growing fast as more people go overseas and also because of heightened awareness of the need for coverage.

Along with personal accident and health, travel insurance accounted for 21.6 per cent of the total general insurance business last year – up from 19.8 per cent and 18 per cent in 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Motoring coverage makes up the biggest chunk at 31.5 per cent.

At the same time, the segment has become a target for fraudsters.

Although the GIA has not collated figures, it set up a workgroup last year to tackle the relatively new problem.

Its president, A. K. Cher, said: “We have people who are now travelling on the expense of insurance companies.”

He cited a recent case of a group of three who claimed they were robbed in an island resort in a neighbouring country.

“But one of them still somehow had a credit card to pay for their way home,” he noted. “When we checked, we found they had all bought travel insurance from eight companies here.”

The GIA is now looking to data analytics to help crack down on such cases. Mr Cher said it is working with French start-up Shift Technology to sieve through data to identify anomalies. Fraud aside, “they will be able to see if we have overpaid for a certain type of claims, for instance”, he added.

Insurers have also hired former investigators from the Commercial Affairs Department to go after cheats.

The GIA estimates that 20 per cent of claims are fraudulent. For motor insurance alone, that translates to more than $100 million.

Last year, insurers incurred motor claims totalling $538.9 million, down from $591.2 million – in line with Singapore’s shrinking vehicle population. Motorists paid an average premium of $1,192 – a dip of 2.9 per cent from 2014’s $1,227, and the third consecutive decrease since 2013.

Gross motor premiums collected stood at $1.14 billion, down from $1.19 billion previously.

Motor insurers posted an underwriting profit of $120.1 million last year, their second highest following 2014’s extraordinary $149.5 million.

In announcing the results yesterday, the GIA – which has 35 member companies – cited intense competition as a reason for the dip.

The general insurance business on the whole – including fire, work injury and marine cargo and hull – posted an underwriting profit of $325 million, 17 per cent lower than 2014’s $392 million.

Mr Cher said this was “a commendable performance despite the turbulence caused by the economic and trade slowdown, other external headwinds and stiffer competition”.

christan@sph.com.sg

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Singapore – A train fault along the East-West line from Tanah Merah towards Aljunied caused delays after 7am this morning.

The Singapore Mass Rapid Transit (SMRT) tweeted that it would take an extra 15 minutes in travelling time, but this was extended to an estimated 25 minutes before 8am.

It said train services along the affected line towards Joo Koon are still running.

Update: Service back to normal

At about 10am, trains began to run smoothly. 

chenj@sph.com.sg

Singapore – A train fault along the East-West line from Tanah Merah towards Aljunied caused delays after 7am this morning.

The Singapore Mass Rapid Transit (SMRT) tweeted that it would take an extra 15 minutes in travelling time, but this was extended to an estimated 25 minutes before 8am.

It said train services along the affected line towards Joo Koon are still running.

chenj@sph.com.sg

A full-time police national serviceman was jailed for nine months yesterday for taking photos of the bare body of a woman police officer in the shower and deleting six photos of females in the shower in a bid to hide his wrongdoing.

Abdul Qayyum Mohd Hashim, 20, who faced 11 charges, including criminal trespass and theft of a brassiere, admitted to three charges.

While on night duty on Jan 26 last year at Tanglin police divisional headquarters as a station security officer, he asked a colleague to cover his duties as he wanted to relieve himself. He had seen the woman entering the female locker room near the toilet from the closed-circuit television footage.

He wanted to get a chance to speak to the victim, as he was interested in her.

He saw the 21-year-old walking out of the locker room with a towel, soap and some clothing and decided to take photographs of her showering.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Kelly Ho said Qayyum entered the toilet and held his Samsung Galaxy S3 mobile phone in his hand to take photographs of the victim showering.

When he heard some sounds which indicated that she was about to finish showering, he put away his phone, grabbed her bra and put it into his pocket. He then walked out of the toilet and put the bra in his bag in the male locker room.

The woman made a police report when she found her bra missing.

Three days later, his superior told him to stay back in the room after a briefing.

Qayyum found it suspicious and deleted six photos he had taken of three female police officers who were showering.

He did this in a bid to conceal the evidence of his wrongdoing.

Earlier, on Jan 22 last year, Qayyum happened to be in the station toilet when he heard sounds of someone showering. He decided to enter the female toilet to take photos of a female officer showering.

Raising his phone above the top of the cubicle, he could see the 21-year-old’s bare body and took three pictures of her back.

The court heard that he viewed them at least twice that week and performed an obscene act once when viewing the photographs.

Qayyum, who had eight other charges taken into consideration, pleaded for leniency. He said he regretted committing the offences and asked for a chance to change.

District Judge Lim Keng Yeow said there were numerous aggravating factors and a jail term was necessary.

Qayyum could have been jailed for up to one year and fined for insulting the modesty of a woman. For perverting the course of justice, he could have been jailed for up to seven years and fined.

elena@sph.com.sg

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