I plead with the Government to urgently consider a public-education campaign on the use of public spaces and park-connector networks for users of personal mobility devices (PMDs) and bicycles, as well as skaters and runners. 

When one falls from a bike, the impact and injury can be as serious or even as deadly as a fall from a motorcycle.

I speak from experience, having witnessed a cyclist who fell lightly and hit his head on the ground at the Marina Barrage. Despite wearing a helmet, he suffered a concussion and needed a CT (computerised tomography) scan.

I urge the authorities to mandate helmets for all users of bicycles and other mobility vehicles.

On weekends, I have seen bikers hurtling along Shenton Way without helmets. The consequences are unthinkable if an accident happens.  

Courtesy on park-connector networks is also lacking. On a busy Sunday morning, you are bound to see some cyclists failing to keep to the cycling path on the left. Instead, they will ride in the middle or even on the lane to the right. This is extremely dangerous as it can cause a collision with oncoming cyclists. 

Skaters and runners should also stay on their designated tracks rather than occupy the entire pathway. 

Then there are children who ride kids’ bikes along park connectors. Parents should be cognisant of the likelihood that their child may not have a sense of direction, and can zip out and collide with other cyclists.

Keeping an eye on their child is critical to ensuring the child's safety and that of other users.

Potentially the deadliest behaviour among park-connector users is listening to music while cycling, skating, riding PMDs and running. Blasting music into their ears, they cannot hear warning signals and are oblivious to their surroundings. 

The Government has poured plenty of resources into fixing issues related to PMDs and promoting a “car-lite” Singapore. These will come to naught if there is no proper education campaign to raise awareness of the responsible use of these spaces.

We cannot get everyone to follow the rules, but we should at least increase awareness to minimise potential accidents. 

Have views on this issue or a news topic you care about? Send your letter to voices [at] mediacorp.com.sg with your full name, address and phone number.