In the midst of increased calls to regulate cyclists, particularly on pavements and the Park Connector Network, a TODAY reader wrote last week that few Singaporeans understand what sharing the use of pavements entails, arguing that this calls for compromises and behavioural changes.

TODAY readers who weighed in said that there is some way to go for cyclists and pedestrians to co-exist on such shared paths, but progress can be made if there are stiffer penalties and wider paths and if everyone is clued in on path etiquette.

Whatever the letter-writer said is part of guidelines that are publicly available on the National Parks Board and Land Transport Authority websites. But that’s as far as it goes in terms of outreach. How many users here know the existence of pavement and Park Connector Network etiquette? How often are such outreach programmes held? The answer to these questions will give insight into why there is so much difficulty in the sharing of spaces. JOSEPH LEE

I am of the view that the amicable sharing of pavements will never happen, given the massive sense of entitlement that cyclists have towards “ownership” of any surface they are on, be it a road or a pavement, as well as an outright disregard for the rules. At Tan Kah Kee MRT Station, cyclists ignore the “no parking” signs despite the fact that there are two designated parking areas. They prefer to park in the no-parking zones simply for the convenience of it being closer to the entrance of the station. I’ve seen cyclists argue with MRT station staff over this and ignore their request. On the Rail Corridor, cyclists ignore the sign to dismount and push their bicycles. The sense of entitlement is further manifested in cycling fast on pavements and ringing their bells furiously for people to move, then turning around to give a dirty look if one doesn’t instantly leap out of the way. I face this daily. Are all cyclists cut from the same cloth? No, I’ve encountered a few who manoeuvred around pedestrians slowly and then rode off with a smile and a wave. But those are, unfortunately, far too few. Without significant penalties, no change in the behaviour would be logical. It’s a shame that the actions of a few poison the well for everyone, but it is these actions that lead to serious consequences. CHAUDHARI SANJAY

Bear in mind that these are shared paths. Everyone should keep left and give way to others. Don’t cycle as if you own the path and are on the Tour de France. If you feel the need for speed, go on the roads, not on a shared path. HO HEE TECK REMUS

My take is that when we encroach into others’ territory, we need to slow down, follow the rules and be discreet. On pavements, cyclists are like visitors to pedestrians’ homes. People welcome visitors to their homes, but visitors cannot do what they like there. Otherwise, they will not be welcome. Once the cyclists understand this, I am hopeful that they will be able to behave appropriately. Likewise, cyclists’ home is the cycling path. Pedestrians are not supposed to walk leisurely on cycling paths. SEOW GEK CHING

Some pedestrians walk like a snail — not elderly people, but those young ones whose eyes are glued to their phones while walking. Even those in a group walk in a straight line, yet walk so slowly. FADLY AZAD

It's naive to think that people will be nice, give way and all will be well. Cyclists will always ring their bells at pedestrians. DON HO

Can cyclists do some self-reflection? They are intruding into the traditional turf of cars and people, that is, pedestrians. They should learn to give way, adapt to the users of these routes, instead of putting everyone else off with their self-entitled attitude. How many cyclists disembark when crossing the roads? How many keep to the side and not block cars? How many zig-zag across paths, traffic junctions and roads, waiting for accidents to happen and yet blaming everyone else for not pandering to their needs? DAVID TEO

Small pleasures such as listening to music while taking a stroll have now stopped, as has holding my kids’ hands: We now walk in single file on sidewalks. Stepping onto sidewalks is now like crossing a road; one has to be on alert for traffic from both sides. Before sidestepping tree branches or anything, one has to turn around to make sure there’s no oncoming bike traffic. One cannot even be relaxed while walking nowadays. ANDIE LIM

Sharing is difficult. Some park-connector paths need to be wider to accommodate runners and walkers. Have two-lane cycling paths. DOUGLAS TAN

We need more Park Connector Networks. I was cycling on a pavement as the road was dangerous, but the pavement was uneven. WILLIAM ONG

In certain countries, there are special bicycle lanes, which separate the paths on roads for cyclists. Why not follow suit? I think this may be the best solution. JC LIM

I cannot help how other people, cyclists and pedestrians, behave. All I can do is try to make sure that I behave well when I am cycling on pavements. I cycle on pavements almost every day and avoid the roads whenever possible. My experience concerning cycling on pavements is generally very good. I take it as a given that there will be pedestrians who will not be aware of my presence. I accept it as my responsibility for their safety regardless. So far — and it's been over a year since I took up cycling again — so good. No more regulation is necessary because, from my observation, pedestrians and cyclists have adapted quite well to one another's presence in their shared space. And my bell is quite redundant. In any potentially dicey situation, slow down or stop and give way. Always prioritise pedestrian safety, and I notice most, though not all, cyclists on pavements exhibit this attitude already. YEO KHIRN HUP

Both sides have some fault. As a pedestrian, I have had some cyclists zoom past me dangerously. Then, as a cyclist, I have encountered pedestrians not being aware of us and walking in the middle of the paths. So both sides need to understand each other and keep to their paths to co-exist. ALWYN NG

As a pedestrian, I have met other pedestrians who walk like the footpath belongs to them. Others need to go around them, step on the grass. EE PING NG

I met some cyclists who are really friendly and considerate. Only a minority of them misbehave. To those law-abiding, friendly and polite cyclists, please educate those cyclists who misbehave. FRANK OOP

These comments were first posted to TODAY’s Facebook page or emailed to voices [at] mediacorp.com.sg. They have been edited for clarity, accuracy and length.