Recently, there had been many controversy about these “vehicles ” on the roads.  As the price of cars in Singapore gets higher, more and more residents turn to taking public transport.  But the public transport do not always get you to the exact location which you need.  From the MRT or the bus stop, most people will still take the electric scooter, or small bromper bikes to get to their destination.

The population are getting larger these days and the need for cheaper alternatives to commute is getting more and more common.  Many commuters bring their own scooters or bicycle to hop on the buses or MRTs.  However, to those who are still using the pavements for walking and the main roads for driving and riding their bikes.

Pavement problems

Conventionally, the pavements are for pedestrians to walk and occasional bicycle riders to ride their bikes on.  But now there are so many types of transportation tools, like the E scooter, E wheelchairs and also conventional scooters.  These actually makes it at times inconvenient for the pedestrains ont the pavement, especially when these users go at a very fast speed neglecting the safety of the other pavement users.

Road problems

Car drivers will experience this more.  Cyclist or Scooter users just suddenly dashed out from the road or not observing the traffic lights.  These can be really dangerous especially if both parties are going at fast speed.  Accidents usually occur when such situations are encountered.

Panel Recommendations

Based on a latest article by Straits times about this issues

Bicycles and mobility devices, but not electric bicycles, should be allowed on footpaths: Panel.

The panel headed by Nee Soon GRC MP Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, has came up with some suggestions to curb the problem.  Most of it revolves around speed usage of the the personal mobility devices.

With more and more different types of Personal mobility devices coming into the market, it will not be long where real legislation and rules governing the usage of these tools will be laid for the users.

In the meantime, the best thing to do is to be more alert on the roads when you are driving or riding.  Do look out for some of these users especially when they are on the roads.

For the pedestrians, do keep to the left side of the road while walking and DO not get engrossed with your handphone while walking.  Just like driving, if you are walking along the pavements, do make sure you keep your eyes on the pavement.

Some reads:

LTA LAUNCHES DEDICATED ACTIVE MOBILITY ENFORCEMENT TEAM: From the LTA site

ROAD TRAFFIC ACT (CHAPTER 276) ROAD TRAFFIC (BICYCLES AND PERSONAL MOBILITY DEVICES) (EXEMPTION) ORDER 2015: From the Road Traffic Act ( But Punishment has yet to be metted out)