[Update: 4 December 2019, 11.50am]
The Singapore Government announced today that it has accepted recommendations on e-scooter usage from the Active Mobility Advisory Panel (AMAP).
The panel previously proposed that e-scooter riders should be at least aged 16 and pass a theory test first before they are allowed to ride in public.
Those below the age of 16 however, requires adult supervision if they wish to ride.
As for the theory test, both e-scooter and e-bicycle users will have to pass a theory test first before they are allowed to ride on cycling paths and the roads.
No start date has been announced yet for the implementation of new regulations.
Meanwhile, food delivery companies and other businesses which use e-scooter riders will have to get third-party liability insurance for them. This is in line with the nationwide move towards mandatory insurance for all e-scooters, according to the Ministry of Transport.
These businesses will also have to ensure that its other active mobility device users, including bicycles, e-bikes and personal mobility aids such as motorised wheelchairs and mobility scooters, are covered by third-party liability insurance.
All active mobility users will also be banned from using mobile phones while riding on both cycling paths and roads, unless the phone is mounted or used in a hands-free manner.
—
On Wednesday (Sept 25), an e-scooter had knocked into a 65-year-old cyclist, resulting in a fatal accident.
This tragedy, along with a spate of PMD-related fires, has sparked an online petition calling for the ban of PMDs in Singapore. It has since garnered 45,000 signatures as of this morning.
Recognising the risks of PMD, the Active Mobility Advisory Panel (AMAP) has recommended that e-scooter riders should be at least aged 16 and pass a theory test first before they are allowed to ride in public.
The panel said that the age limit should only be imposed to riders who ride on public paths without supervision. Those below the age of 16 can still continue to ride under adult supervision.
With regards to the theory test, the panel feels that it should be a requirement so riders fully understand the basic theory of riding and safety rules.
It also urged the ban of mobile phone usage when riding, “unless the mobile phone is mounted or used in a hands-free manner”.
Other recommendations called for businesses to obtain mandatory third-party liability insurance to cover e-scooter riders who are riding in the course of work, such as food delivery riders.
The Ministry of Transport said it will “study these recommendations and provide (their) response in due course,” said Senior Minister of State for Transport Lam Pin Min in a Facebook post.
Moving forward, the panel will continue to actively monitor the PMD situation and work towards pushing for mandatory insurance for all e-scooter users.
Featured Image Credit: Klook
