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SINGAPORE \u2013 The Land Transport Authority (LTA) said its officers could have exercised greater sensitivity after a video of an elderly cyclist kneeling before two of its employees on an overhead bridge surfaced.<\/p>\n
The incident occurred on Aug 27 on an overhead bridge near Block 95 Aljunied Crescent, The Straits Times has learnt.<\/p>\n
In the clip, posted on social media platform Reddit, a woman wearing a yellow shirt can be seen kneeling before two men, who have been identified as LTA enforcement officers. She is also seen gesturing towards a bicycle parked near her.<\/p>\n
In response to queries from ST, an LTA spokesperson said on Aug 29 that the authority empathises with the distress experienced by the elderly cyclist.<\/p>\n
Cycling on overhead bridges \u2013 which are primarily designed for pedestrians and have relatively limited space \u2013 without dismounting and pushing the bicycle is an offence, as it can pose safety risks to pedestrians, the spokesperson added.<\/p>\n
The spokesperson said: \u201cOur officers therefore carried out their enforcement duties, in line with the rules in place to keep pedestrians safe.\u201d<\/p>\n
Enforcement encounters can sometimes be \u201cdifficult\u201d, particularly when members of the public are distressed, the spokesperson noted.<\/p>\n
The officers involved in the Aug 27 incident, while carrying out their enforcement duties, could have \u201cmanaged the situation more sensitively\u201d, the spokesperson added.<\/p>\n
The officers have reflected on the incident and recognise that they could have handled the situation with greater empathy, the spokesperson said.<\/p>\n
The spokesperson added: \u201cEnforcement is a difficult job, and our officers have to manage a range of situations while balancing the need to be firm in upholding safety rules with empathy in their interactions with the public.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will continue to strengthen our officers\u2019 training so that they are equipped to manage such situations sensitively, while ensuring that safety rules are applied fairly and consistently to all users of our public paths.\u201d<\/p>\n
Some social media users expressed support for the enforcement officers.<\/p>\n
One of them said: \u201cLaw enforcement has to be fair. Just because you kneel and beg does not mean you can get away scot-free.\u201d<\/p>\n
Other netizens thought it appropriate for enforcement action to be taken against the woman.<\/p>\n
One of them, who claimed to live near the bridge, said people cycling across the bridge instead of dismounting and pushing their bikes is a \u201cconstant sight\u201d.<\/p>\n
But not all netizens cast stones at the enforcement officers or the woman.<\/p>\n
A Reddit user said that Singapore needs to be a more gracious society.<\/p>\n
Another user said: \u201cHave compassion please.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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