E-scooters banned from footpaths amid rise in accidents
From November 5, riders can use them only on park connectors and cycling paths or face fines, jail
By Toh Ting Wei, The Straits Times, 5 Nov 2019
Electric scooters will be banned from footpaths from today, in the latest and toughest measure yet to address public safety concerns surrounding their use.
Those caught flouting the rules can be fined up to $2,000 and/or jailed for up to three months if convicted.
There are 100,000 registered e-scooters in Singapore.
From now until the end of the year, the authorities will mainly issue warnings to errant riders, but a zero-tolerance approach will be taken from next year.
The ban means that e-scooters will be confined to 440km of cycling paths islandwide, instead of the 5,500km of footpaths the riders could use before.
Bicycles and personal mobility aids such as motorised wheelchairs will continue to be allowed on footpaths, cycling paths and park connectors.
But the ban will progressively be extended to other motorised personal mobility devices (PMDs) in the first quarter of next year, including hoverboards and unicycles.
Announcing the tougher stance, Senior Minister of State for Transport Lam Pin Min said in Parliament yesterday: "This ban of e-scooters from footpaths is a difficult decision. But it is a necessary step for pedestrians to feel safe again on public paths, while still allowing e-scooters to grow in tandem with cycling path infrastructure."
He made the announcement in a statement responding to questions from five MPs, including Mr Sitoh Yih Pin (Potong Pasir), who asked about the Transport Ministry's plans to improve safety levels around the use of PMDs.
Dr Lam noted that calls for a total ban on PMD usage have been getting louder as more accidents occur.
"We expected the co-sharing of footpaths to be challenging but we were hopeful that with public education, PMD users would be gracious and responsible," he said.
"Unfortunately, this was not so."
Previously, PMDs could be used on cycling paths (at up to 25kmh) and footpaths (10kmh).
They are not allowed on roads.
Dr Lam noted that the move was not a complete ban on e-scooters as PMDs can still be used on cycling paths and park connectors. The total cycling path network is expected to triple by 2030.
Countries such as Japan, Germany and France have also banned e-scooters from footpaths.
Dr Lam also told Parliament that plans to issue PMD-sharing licences will be scrapped.
The move will have some impact on the plans to improve last-mile connectivity.
Dr Lam said that the authorities had earlier felt that PMDs could be allowed on footpaths with mitigating measures in place, but this had not worked.
"At the same time, we understand that we should not push for connectivity at all costs. I think public safety is still paramount. And looking at the current situation, I think it is not possible for the Government not to make a decisive decision, and therefore the decision to prohibit the use of PMDs on footpaths," said Dr Lam.
The number of accidents involving PMDs has gone up with the increase in users. There were 228 reported accidents involving PMDs on public paths in 2017 and last year, with 196 resulting in injuries.
In September, a 65-year-old cyclist, Madam Ong Bee Eng, died in hospital after an e-scooter accident in Bedok. A 20-year-old man was arrested and the case is being investigated as one of causing death by a rash act.
A few riders of motorised e-scooters have also died in accidents, Dr Lam said.
He added that the authorities will also work with food delivery firms to help their riders switch to motorcycles or bicycles.
From November 5, riders can use them only on park connectors and cycling paths or face fines, jail
By Toh Ting Wei, The Straits Times, 5 Nov 2019
Those caught flouting the rules can be fined up to $2,000 and/or jailed for up to three months if convicted.
There are 100,000 registered e-scooters in Singapore.
From now until the end of the year, the authorities will mainly issue warnings to errant riders, but a zero-tolerance approach will be taken from next year.
The ban means that e-scooters will be confined to 440km of cycling paths islandwide, instead of the 5,500km of footpaths the riders could use before.
Bicycles and personal mobility aids such as motorised wheelchairs will continue to be allowed on footpaths, cycling paths and park connectors.
But the ban will progressively be extended to other motorised personal mobility devices (PMDs) in the first quarter of next year, including hoverboards and unicycles.
Announcing the tougher stance, Senior Minister of State for Transport Lam Pin Min said in Parliament yesterday: "This ban of e-scooters from footpaths is a difficult decision. But it is a necessary step for pedestrians to feel safe again on public paths, while still allowing e-scooters to grow in tandem with cycling path infrastructure."
He made the announcement in a statement responding to questions from five MPs, including Mr Sitoh Yih Pin (Potong Pasir), who asked about the Transport Ministry's plans to improve safety levels around the use of PMDs.
Dr Lam noted that calls for a total ban on PMD usage have been getting louder as more accidents occur.
"We expected the co-sharing of footpaths to be challenging but we were hopeful that with public education, PMD users would be gracious and responsible," he said.
"Unfortunately, this was not so."
Previously, PMDs could be used on cycling paths (at up to 25kmh) and footpaths (10kmh).
They are not allowed on roads.
Countries such as Japan, Germany and France have also banned e-scooters from footpaths.
Dr Lam also told Parliament that plans to issue PMD-sharing licences will be scrapped.
The move will have some impact on the plans to improve last-mile connectivity.
Dr Lam said that the authorities had earlier felt that PMDs could be allowed on footpaths with mitigating measures in place, but this had not worked.
"At the same time, we understand that we should not push for connectivity at all costs. I think public safety is still paramount. And looking at the current situation, I think it is not possible for the Government not to make a decisive decision, and therefore the decision to prohibit the use of PMDs on footpaths," said Dr Lam.
The number of accidents involving PMDs has gone up with the increase in users. There were 228 reported accidents involving PMDs on public paths in 2017 and last year, with 196 resulting in injuries.
A few riders of motorised e-scooters have also died in accidents, Dr Lam said.
He added that the authorities will also work with food delivery firms to help their riders switch to motorcycles or bicycles.
GrabFood seeks understanding as riders adjust to e-scooter ban
Customers may see longer waits, cancelled orders as over 1 in 3 of its riders use e-scooters
By Toh Ting Wei, The Straits Times, 5 Nov 2019
Customers should be prepared for longer waits and cancelled orders when a ban on the use of electric scooters on public footpaths kicks in today, said food delivery provider GrabFood.
Grab's GrabFood is one of three major food delivery companies in Singapore, alongside Foodpanda and Deliveroo.
In response to queries from The Straits Times, Grab said that more than one in three of its delivery riders rely on e-scooters to move around.
With the ban, they will now have to consider other modes of transport, which may not be readily available, a Grab spokesman said.
"During this period, we would like to seek consumers' understanding that they may have to wait longer for their orders or may experience an increase in cancellations by delivery partners who may not be able to cover the delivery distance on foot," she added.
There are about 7,000 food delivery riders in Singapore who use e-scooters, the majority believed to be working for Grab.
The firm told ST that it will engage the Government on whether it would be possible to allow riders who have shown responsible riding behaviours to continue using their e-scooters under certain conditions.
Grab will reach out to all affected riders by the end of the week, she said.
Meanwhile, Deliveroo said it will stop working with errant riders who continue to use their e-scooters on footpaths.
A spokesman said: "We anticipate minimal impact on customers' deliveries, given that personal mobility device (PMD) and power-assisted bicycle riders currently constitute 5 per cent of our overall fleet of 6,000 riders."
Senior Minister of State for Transport Lam Pin Min, who announced the tougher regulations in Parliament yesterday, said that the authorities will work with Workforce Singapore (WSG) to help riders who may need to find new jobs as a result of the ban.
In a statement, WSG said it has various programmes and services to help Singaporeans in their job search, "including those who may be affected by this announcement such as food delivery riders who use e-scooters as their main form of transportation".
Job seekers can turn to its MyCareersFuture.sg search portal to look for suitable jobs based on their skills, the agency said.
Part-time food delivery rider Chris Lim, 27, who joined GrabFood about a week ago while still looking for a full-time job, is "really unhappy" about the ban.
He paid $949 for an e-scooter so that he could do more deliveries with less effort compared with using a bicycle.
"As it is, I am not even earning much. With the implementation of the ban, I will earn even less," said Mr Lim, adding that with the e-scooter he can do three times more deliveries in the same time than if he were to use a bicycle.
Mr Lim said: "Even if the authorities wanted to ban e-scooters, they should have at least constructed more bicycle pathways first instead of giving just a day's notice."
The Land Transport Authority also announced yesterday that it has shelved plans to allow e-scooter sharing services in public spaces.
Grab, which also offers e-scooter rental services in areas such as Tai Seng and Katong, said it plans to suspend the scheme over time.
Meanwhile, a spokesman for e-scooter sharing firm Beam said that the team is "dissatisfied and frustrated by the decision to effectively ban PMDs".
Mr Htay Aung, founder of shared bike and e-scooter operator Anywheel, said: "As much as we wanted shared PMDs in Singapore, I think the time is not right yet."
Customers may see longer waits, cancelled orders as over 1 in 3 of its riders use e-scooters
By Toh Ting Wei, The Straits Times, 5 Nov 2019
Grab's GrabFood is one of three major food delivery companies in Singapore, alongside Foodpanda and Deliveroo.
In response to queries from The Straits Times, Grab said that more than one in three of its delivery riders rely on e-scooters to move around.
With the ban, they will now have to consider other modes of transport, which may not be readily available, a Grab spokesman said.
"During this period, we would like to seek consumers' understanding that they may have to wait longer for their orders or may experience an increase in cancellations by delivery partners who may not be able to cover the delivery distance on foot," she added.
There are about 7,000 food delivery riders in Singapore who use e-scooters, the majority believed to be working for Grab.
The firm told ST that it will engage the Government on whether it would be possible to allow riders who have shown responsible riding behaviours to continue using their e-scooters under certain conditions.
Grab will reach out to all affected riders by the end of the week, she said.
Meanwhile, Deliveroo said it will stop working with errant riders who continue to use their e-scooters on footpaths.
A spokesman said: "We anticipate minimal impact on customers' deliveries, given that personal mobility device (PMD) and power-assisted bicycle riders currently constitute 5 per cent of our overall fleet of 6,000 riders."
Senior Minister of State for Transport Lam Pin Min, who announced the tougher regulations in Parliament yesterday, said that the authorities will work with Workforce Singapore (WSG) to help riders who may need to find new jobs as a result of the ban.
In a statement, WSG said it has various programmes and services to help Singaporeans in their job search, "including those who may be affected by this announcement such as food delivery riders who use e-scooters as their main form of transportation".
Job seekers can turn to its MyCareersFuture.sg search portal to look for suitable jobs based on their skills, the agency said.
Part-time food delivery rider Chris Lim, 27, who joined GrabFood about a week ago while still looking for a full-time job, is "really unhappy" about the ban.
He paid $949 for an e-scooter so that he could do more deliveries with less effort compared with using a bicycle.
"As it is, I am not even earning much. With the implementation of the ban, I will earn even less," said Mr Lim, adding that with the e-scooter he can do three times more deliveries in the same time than if he were to use a bicycle.
Mr Lim said: "Even if the authorities wanted to ban e-scooters, they should have at least constructed more bicycle pathways first instead of giving just a day's notice."
The Land Transport Authority also announced yesterday that it has shelved plans to allow e-scooter sharing services in public spaces.
Grab, which also offers e-scooter rental services in areas such as Tai Seng and Katong, said it plans to suspend the scheme over time.
Meanwhile, a spokesman for e-scooter sharing firm Beam said that the team is "dissatisfied and frustrated by the decision to effectively ban PMDs".
Mr Htay Aung, founder of shared bike and e-scooter operator Anywheel, said: "As much as we wanted shared PMDs in Singapore, I think the time is not right yet."
E-scooters banned on footpaths: More crucial to build a viable walkway network, say experts
Ban a right move as current infrastructure does not support co-existence of riders, pedestrians
The Straits Times, 5 Nov 2019
Restricting the use of electric scooters on footpaths is a step in the right direction, but building a network of pedestrian walkways is also crucial for first-and last-mile commutes, experts told The Straits Times.
Current sidewalk infrastructure - pedestrian paths and park connector networks - are not viable for personal mobility devices (PMDs) and pedestrians to co-exist because of reckless riders who endanger pedestrians.
The restrictions, announced yesterday in Parliament by Senior Minister of State for Transport Lam Pin Min, mean that e-scooter riders are now allowed only on cycling paths and park connectors.
It's a "temporary setback" for last-mile commutes, said Nominated MP Walter Theseira, who added that the restrictions were a result of public education and awareness not having the "desired effect" of reducing risks.
"The problem largely exists because the footpath infrastructure is not safe for PMDs and pedestrians to co-exist unless PMD users take considerable care," said Associate Professor Theseira.
As of now, the approved path network is "not close enough" to many homes and destinations, he said.
But as it improves, "it will be easier for PMD users to travel while staying within the law", he said.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) confirmed it would be widening its network of cycling paths. "We will ramp up our cycling path infrastructure as quickly as possible to enhance connectivity for PMD users. Where possible, we will try to provide cycling path connections close to residential blocks and homes," its spokesman told ST.
Associate Professor Park Byung Joon from the Singapore University of Social Sciences said things got a bit out of hand when LTA tried to solve the issue of first-and last-mile commutes.
"I think LTA was surprised how quickly PMDs became the transport of choice for some people. By the time they (LTA) introduced registration, PMDs were everywhere. So they actually had to do some kind of catch-up," he added.
Motorised wheels on footpaths "should not have been allowed in the first place", Prof Park added.
However, he noted that as cycling paths are built, e-scooters would still remain as a feasible last-mile solution.
For Professor Lee Der-Horng from the National University of Singapore's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, restricting e-scooters is a "fundamental principle" in public policy.
"There is no compromise when human safety and life are involved. I have never considered that PMDs can or should be the way in addressing the first-or last-mile issue," he said.
The footpath ban is a chance to revisit the "basics" of first-and last-mile transport, and turn Singapore into a "truly walkable" city through the possible use of extended covered walkways and walking paths enhanced with heat-absorbing material, Prof Lee noted.
Prof Theseira said: "I believe the policy intent is to continue building out the infrastructure to enable active mobility. Even public buses, although they are generally efficient compared with private car transport, tend to be inefficient for neighbourhood commuting."
Some might take to transport modes like power-assisted bicycles, and such transitions would have to be further managed, he highlighted. "Enforcement, education and awareness must always be carried out, lest we end up having to ban everything."
MORE TIME TO DISPOSE OF E-SCOOTERS
Owners of non-compliant e-scooters can continue to dispose of their devices and collect the $100 incentive until the end of the year.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) said it will extend, by a month, the deadline for users to dispose of their non-UL2272 certified e-scooters.
This is to encourage more people to come forward, the authority said.
More than 30 additional disposal points will also be added islandwide, taking the total number of such centres to about 200.
Since the introduction of the early disposal incentive in September, LTA has received more than 9,000 applications from owners to dispose of their registered non-UL2272 certified e-scooters.
Of the 100,000 registered e-scooters here, about 80,000 are not UL2272-certified and will be banned from public places from July 1 next year.
This includes cycling paths and park connector networks.
Ban a right move as current infrastructure does not support co-existence of riders, pedestrians
The Straits Times, 5 Nov 2019
Current sidewalk infrastructure - pedestrian paths and park connector networks - are not viable for personal mobility devices (PMDs) and pedestrians to co-exist because of reckless riders who endanger pedestrians.
The restrictions, announced yesterday in Parliament by Senior Minister of State for Transport Lam Pin Min, mean that e-scooter riders are now allowed only on cycling paths and park connectors.
It's a "temporary setback" for last-mile commutes, said Nominated MP Walter Theseira, who added that the restrictions were a result of public education and awareness not having the "desired effect" of reducing risks.
"The problem largely exists because the footpath infrastructure is not safe for PMDs and pedestrians to co-exist unless PMD users take considerable care," said Associate Professor Theseira.
As of now, the approved path network is "not close enough" to many homes and destinations, he said.
But as it improves, "it will be easier for PMD users to travel while staying within the law", he said.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) confirmed it would be widening its network of cycling paths. "We will ramp up our cycling path infrastructure as quickly as possible to enhance connectivity for PMD users. Where possible, we will try to provide cycling path connections close to residential blocks and homes," its spokesman told ST.
Associate Professor Park Byung Joon from the Singapore University of Social Sciences said things got a bit out of hand when LTA tried to solve the issue of first-and last-mile commutes.
"I think LTA was surprised how quickly PMDs became the transport of choice for some people. By the time they (LTA) introduced registration, PMDs were everywhere. So they actually had to do some kind of catch-up," he added.
Motorised wheels on footpaths "should not have been allowed in the first place", Prof Park added.
However, he noted that as cycling paths are built, e-scooters would still remain as a feasible last-mile solution.
For Professor Lee Der-Horng from the National University of Singapore's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, restricting e-scooters is a "fundamental principle" in public policy.
"There is no compromise when human safety and life are involved. I have never considered that PMDs can or should be the way in addressing the first-or last-mile issue," he said.
The footpath ban is a chance to revisit the "basics" of first-and last-mile transport, and turn Singapore into a "truly walkable" city through the possible use of extended covered walkways and walking paths enhanced with heat-absorbing material, Prof Lee noted.
Prof Theseira said: "I believe the policy intent is to continue building out the infrastructure to enable active mobility. Even public buses, although they are generally efficient compared with private car transport, tend to be inefficient for neighbourhood commuting."
Some might take to transport modes like power-assisted bicycles, and such transitions would have to be further managed, he highlighted. "Enforcement, education and awareness must always be carried out, lest we end up having to ban everything."
MORE TIME TO DISPOSE OF E-SCOOTERS
Owners of non-compliant e-scooters can continue to dispose of their devices and collect the $100 incentive until the end of the year.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) said it will extend, by a month, the deadline for users to dispose of their non-UL2272 certified e-scooters.
This is to encourage more people to come forward, the authority said.
More than 30 additional disposal points will also be added islandwide, taking the total number of such centres to about 200.
Since the introduction of the early disposal incentive in September, LTA has received more than 9,000 applications from owners to dispose of their registered non-UL2272 certified e-scooters.
Of the 100,000 registered e-scooters here, about 80,000 are not UL2272-certified and will be banned from public places from July 1 next year.
This includes cycling paths and park connector networks.
Social graces lagging behind as PMD technology races ahead
By Adrian Lim, Political Correspondent, The Straits Times, 5 Nov 2019
It was just three months ago when Senior Minister of State for Transport Lam Pin Min talked about personal mobility devices (PMDs) in Parliament, spelling out measures to address the risks they posed to public safety.
A PMD, he said then, was "just a machine", and he expressed confidence that Singaporeans could be taught to use these devices responsibly and safely with other footpath users. The signal from the authorities at that point was that PMDs were here to stay.
That changed yesterday.
When Dr Lam addressed the PMD issue once again, it was to announce that they would be prohibited from all footpaths - starting with electric scooters (e-scooters) from today.
This ban on footpaths would be progressively extended to all PMDs - including hoverboards and unicycles - in the first quarter of next year.
It is the toughest action taken by the authorities to date, putting the brakes on PMD use here and mirroring moves by other countries such as France, which this year also banned e-scooters on footpaths.
Dr Lam said: "We expected the co-sharing of footpaths to be challenging but we were hopeful that with public education, PMD users would be gracious and responsible. Unfortunately, this was not so."
The ban was undoubtedly driven by the growing number of accidents involving these devices, and the constant refrain from the public and MPs that tougher measures were needed. The PMD issue has been a burning topic, both in and out of the House.
Over the last year, MPs have filed more than 40 questions relating to PMDs, with concerns ranging from reckless riding to fire hazards posed by unapproved devices, and the recourse, or the lack of, that victims have in accidents.
MPs Lee Bee Wah (Nee Soon GRC) and Murali Pillai (Bukit Batok), along with Non-Constituency MP Dennis Tan, among others, have been consistently pressing the Ministry of Transport (MOT) on the matter.
MOT's decision to put its foot down on PMDs - despite the blowback it may face from commuters and delivery riders used to riding on footpaths - is a welcome and necessary move.
Mr Pillai said yesterday he applauded MOT's decision and also commended the "openness and willingness" on the ministry's part to revisit the issue when circumstances call for it.
But he also noted it was a "matter of regret", as the first decision to rely on the community to self-regulate was an experiment that "somehow failed".
Two years ago, the Active Mobility Bill was passed, which legalised the use of PMDs on footpaths, cycling and shared paths. The Act came into effect last year.
As emissions-free and easy-to-operate devices, PMDs were seen by the Government as playing a role in Singapore's car-lite vision, offering commuters a viable option for first-and last-mile trips.
This has since unravelled, thanks to users who ride recklessly and illegally modify their devices - shifting public opinion against PMDs. The authorities catch about 370 offenders every month for offences involving active mobility devices such as e-scooters and power-assisted bicycles.
With the ban, PMD users who have been prudent and responsible will now bear the inconvenience of having to dismount and push their devices on footpaths before resuming their rides on park connectors and shared paths.
Some may view the PMD ban as an example of how Singapore is a First World country with Third World people, as veteran diplomat Tommy Koh put it at a conference last month.
Lamentably, technology seems to have raced ahead of the development in social graces here.
By Adrian Lim, Political Correspondent, The Straits Times, 5 Nov 2019
It was just three months ago when Senior Minister of State for Transport Lam Pin Min talked about personal mobility devices (PMDs) in Parliament, spelling out measures to address the risks they posed to public safety.
A PMD, he said then, was "just a machine", and he expressed confidence that Singaporeans could be taught to use these devices responsibly and safely with other footpath users. The signal from the authorities at that point was that PMDs were here to stay.
That changed yesterday.
When Dr Lam addressed the PMD issue once again, it was to announce that they would be prohibited from all footpaths - starting with electric scooters (e-scooters) from today.
This ban on footpaths would be progressively extended to all PMDs - including hoverboards and unicycles - in the first quarter of next year.
It is the toughest action taken by the authorities to date, putting the brakes on PMD use here and mirroring moves by other countries such as France, which this year also banned e-scooters on footpaths.
Dr Lam said: "We expected the co-sharing of footpaths to be challenging but we were hopeful that with public education, PMD users would be gracious and responsible. Unfortunately, this was not so."
The ban was undoubtedly driven by the growing number of accidents involving these devices, and the constant refrain from the public and MPs that tougher measures were needed. The PMD issue has been a burning topic, both in and out of the House.
Over the last year, MPs have filed more than 40 questions relating to PMDs, with concerns ranging from reckless riding to fire hazards posed by unapproved devices, and the recourse, or the lack of, that victims have in accidents.
MPs Lee Bee Wah (Nee Soon GRC) and Murali Pillai (Bukit Batok), along with Non-Constituency MP Dennis Tan, among others, have been consistently pressing the Ministry of Transport (MOT) on the matter.
MOT's decision to put its foot down on PMDs - despite the blowback it may face from commuters and delivery riders used to riding on footpaths - is a welcome and necessary move.
Mr Pillai said yesterday he applauded MOT's decision and also commended the "openness and willingness" on the ministry's part to revisit the issue when circumstances call for it.
But he also noted it was a "matter of regret", as the first decision to rely on the community to self-regulate was an experiment that "somehow failed".
Two years ago, the Active Mobility Bill was passed, which legalised the use of PMDs on footpaths, cycling and shared paths. The Act came into effect last year.
As emissions-free and easy-to-operate devices, PMDs were seen by the Government as playing a role in Singapore's car-lite vision, offering commuters a viable option for first-and last-mile trips.
This has since unravelled, thanks to users who ride recklessly and illegally modify their devices - shifting public opinion against PMDs. The authorities catch about 370 offenders every month for offences involving active mobility devices such as e-scooters and power-assisted bicycles.
With the ban, PMD users who have been prudent and responsible will now bear the inconvenience of having to dismount and push their devices on footpaths before resuming their rides on park connectors and shared paths.
Some may view the PMD ban as an example of how Singapore is a First World country with Third World people, as veteran diplomat Tommy Koh put it at a conference last month.
Lamentably, technology seems to have raced ahead of the development in social graces here.
Over 100 PMD users warned on first day of footpath ban
By Toh Ting Wei, The Straits Times, 6 Nov 2019
More than 100 riders of electric scooters and other personal mobility devices (PMDs) were warned by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) for riding on footpaths yesterday.
In response to queries, the LTA said it had issued more than 100 warnings as of 5pm, on the first day of the ban on e-scooters on footpaths.
The ban will progressively be expanded to other motorised PMDs, such as hoverboards and unicycles, by the first quarter of next year.
The LTA said it will issue warnings to errant riders till Dec 31, but will take "strict enforcement action" in serious cases.
"Subsequently, from Jan 1, 2020, those caught riding an e-scooter on footpaths will be liable for a fine of up to $2,000 and/or jail of up to three months," it said.
In a Facebook post yesterday afternoon, the LTA said it deployed enforcement officers in Ang Mo Kio, Jurong and Toa Payoh to warn e-scooter riders travelling on footpaths that they are no longer allowed to do so.
"We are issuing warnings at this stage to give users some time to adjust to the new rule," the LTA said.
The authority will take "a zero tolerance approach" from next year.
Under new rules announced on Monday, users of e-scooters are banned from riding their devices on the 5,500km of footpaths in Singapore. This means that the use of e-scooters, which are already banned on roads, will be confined to 440km of cycling paths.
Some PMD users attempted to get around the new ban by riding their devices on grass patches alongside footpaths.
But the National Parks Board said yesterday that PMD users should not ride on the green verges beside footpaths without permission. If convicted of doing so, offenders can be fined up to $5,000.
By Toh Ting Wei, The Straits Times, 6 Nov 2019
More than 100 riders of electric scooters and other personal mobility devices (PMDs) were warned by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) for riding on footpaths yesterday.
In response to queries, the LTA said it had issued more than 100 warnings as of 5pm, on the first day of the ban on e-scooters on footpaths.
The ban will progressively be expanded to other motorised PMDs, such as hoverboards and unicycles, by the first quarter of next year.
The LTA said it will issue warnings to errant riders till Dec 31, but will take "strict enforcement action" in serious cases.
"Subsequently, from Jan 1, 2020, those caught riding an e-scooter on footpaths will be liable for a fine of up to $2,000 and/or jail of up to three months," it said.
In a Facebook post yesterday afternoon, the LTA said it deployed enforcement officers in Ang Mo Kio, Jurong and Toa Payoh to warn e-scooter riders travelling on footpaths that they are no longer allowed to do so.
"We are issuing warnings at this stage to give users some time to adjust to the new rule," the LTA said.
The authority will take "a zero tolerance approach" from next year.
Under new rules announced on Monday, users of e-scooters are banned from riding their devices on the 5,500km of footpaths in Singapore. This means that the use of e-scooters, which are already banned on roads, will be confined to 440km of cycling paths.
Some PMD users attempted to get around the new ban by riding their devices on grass patches alongside footpaths.
But the National Parks Board said yesterday that PMD users should not ride on the green verges beside footpaths without permission. If convicted of doing so, offenders can be fined up to $5,000.
Fewer riders of e-scooters on footpaths but some are undeterred
Those continuing to ride say they will use paths as long as they can, hoping for softer govt stance
By Toh Ting Wei, The Straits Times, 6 Nov 2019
The number of food delivery riders on electric scooters plying footpaths dropped on the first day that a new rule kicked in, even as some riders remained insistent they would stick to their devices.
Between the three major food delivery firms here - Deliveroo, foodpanda and GrabFood - they have about 7,000 riders who use e-scooters to make their deliveries.
When The Straits Times visited the area around Jurong East MRT station yesterday morning, only about seven food delivery riders were spotted using e-scooters over a period of three hours.
The area is regarded as a potential hot spot for offences involving personal mobility devices (PMDs).
Seven Land Transport Authority (LTA) enforcement officers were seen along Jurong Gateway Road in front of JCube shopping centre from about 10am to noon.
But while a few of the officers were armed with fliers to inform riders about where they will not be able to ride under the new rules, they ended their shift having reached out to only one e-scooter user in the two-hour window.
Riders told ST that the number of riders using e-scooters to deliver food in the area was much lower yesterday than what they were used to seeing.
GrabFood rider Adrin Lim, 27, said: "I usually see many other food delivery riders on e-scooters by (around noon) but I haven't seen anyone doing that in the last hour."
From next year, those caught riding an e-scooter on footpaths can be fined up to $2,000 and/or jailed for up to three months.
But despite the threat of a fine and even jail time, riders who were still using their e-scooters on footpaths said they will continue to do so for as long as they can, even as they hold out hope for a softened stance from the Government.
Food delivery riders continued their practice of warning one another of the presence of LTA's enforcement officers in several areas through social media channels, so as to help the riders avoid getting into trouble.
Asked if he was worried about potential repercussions, Mr Lim said: "No, I will fight any punishment, because the shared path network is not so developed in Singapore.
"I hope the Government will know our feelings. For some people like me, we are doing this as our full-time job, so this ban makes it very hard for us to do our job."
Foodpanda delivery rider Yeo Ming Fong, 31, who last month spent $1,049 to buy a new e-scooter, said: "I can't cycle because I have a leg injury, so for people like me, it is convenient.
"We are just trying to earn a living."
Another foodpanda delivery rider, Mr Alan Poon, 38, said he hopes the authorities can allow a special licence that will let riders of e-scooters continue using them on footpaths for food deliveries.
A few petitions decrying the ban on the Change.org platform have seen their support numbers swell since they were set up.
One, titled Petition On Behalf Of All PMD Users In Singapore: Allow PMD On Footpaths Or Roads, had collected about 14,800 signatures as of 11pm yesterday.
Additional reporting by Wong Kai Yi
Those continuing to ride say they will use paths as long as they can, hoping for softer govt stance
By Toh Ting Wei, The Straits Times, 6 Nov 2019
The number of food delivery riders on electric scooters plying footpaths dropped on the first day that a new rule kicked in, even as some riders remained insistent they would stick to their devices.
Between the three major food delivery firms here - Deliveroo, foodpanda and GrabFood - they have about 7,000 riders who use e-scooters to make their deliveries.
When The Straits Times visited the area around Jurong East MRT station yesterday morning, only about seven food delivery riders were spotted using e-scooters over a period of three hours.
The area is regarded as a potential hot spot for offences involving personal mobility devices (PMDs).
Seven Land Transport Authority (LTA) enforcement officers were seen along Jurong Gateway Road in front of JCube shopping centre from about 10am to noon.
But while a few of the officers were armed with fliers to inform riders about where they will not be able to ride under the new rules, they ended their shift having reached out to only one e-scooter user in the two-hour window.
Riders told ST that the number of riders using e-scooters to deliver food in the area was much lower yesterday than what they were used to seeing.
GrabFood rider Adrin Lim, 27, said: "I usually see many other food delivery riders on e-scooters by (around noon) but I haven't seen anyone doing that in the last hour."
From next year, those caught riding an e-scooter on footpaths can be fined up to $2,000 and/or jailed for up to three months.
But despite the threat of a fine and even jail time, riders who were still using their e-scooters on footpaths said they will continue to do so for as long as they can, even as they hold out hope for a softened stance from the Government.
Food delivery riders continued their practice of warning one another of the presence of LTA's enforcement officers in several areas through social media channels, so as to help the riders avoid getting into trouble.
Asked if he was worried about potential repercussions, Mr Lim said: "No, I will fight any punishment, because the shared path network is not so developed in Singapore.
"I hope the Government will know our feelings. For some people like me, we are doing this as our full-time job, so this ban makes it very hard for us to do our job."
Foodpanda delivery rider Yeo Ming Fong, 31, who last month spent $1,049 to buy a new e-scooter, said: "I can't cycle because I have a leg injury, so for people like me, it is convenient.
"We are just trying to earn a living."
Another foodpanda delivery rider, Mr Alan Poon, 38, said he hopes the authorities can allow a special licence that will let riders of e-scooters continue using them on footpaths for food deliveries.
A few petitions decrying the ban on the Change.org platform have seen their support numbers swell since they were set up.
One, titled Petition On Behalf Of All PMD Users In Singapore: Allow PMD On Footpaths Or Roads, had collected about 14,800 signatures as of 11pm yesterday.
Additional reporting by Wong Kai Yi
Food delivery riders meet Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam to voice concerns over new rule
Several MPs approached for help; riders say jobs affected due to insufficient cycling paths
By Toh Ting Wei, The Straits Times, 7 Nov 2019
About 30 food delivery riders met Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam on Tuesday evening to voice their concerns that the ban on e-scooters from footpaths would affect their livelihoods.
They gathered at Mr Shanmugam's Meet-the-People Session in Yishun over the ban, which came into effect on Tuesday.
In a Facebook post yesterday, Mr Shanmugam said it was a "good, civil meeting", and that he would call for another one.
The Nee Soon GRC MP met three of the riders in his branch office, before moving outside to meet the rest in an open area outside his office.
"I said we understood their position, but I would also convey their views to the Ministry of Transport, and to the Cabinet," Mr Shanmugam said.
The minister was among several MPs that e-scooter users have approached for help.
Tampines GRC MP Desmond Choo said: "They asked if food delivery riders could be given special licences if they passed tests and were insured. That could be viable and should be studied further."
The footpath ban has caused widespread concern among e-scooter users here since it was announced in Parliament on Monday.
Many pedestrians, on the other hand, welcomed the move.
An informal Facebook poll by government feedback unit Reach on Tuesday, which was open for 24 hours, found that 51 per cent of 9,100 respondents were against the ban, with the remaining supporting it.
Some MPs had previously called for personal mobility devices (PMDs) to be banned.
But while Senior Minister of State for Transport Lam Pin Min acknowledged safety concerns back in August, he said then that the authorities were mindful that tens of thousands of Singaporeans were benefiting daily from their usage.
There are about 100,000 registered e-scooters in Singapore.
About 7,000 people working for the three major food delivery companies - Deliveroo, GrabFood and Foodpanda - use e-scooters.
Many riders said they are worried that the ban will affect their ability to carry out their jobs as there are not enough cycling paths.
The Land Transport Authority said its officers have issued more than 360 warnings to errant riders caught riding on footpaths as of 5pm yesterday.
A food delivery rider, who wanted to be known only as Mr Z, told The Straits Times that he was among those who met Mr Shanmugam because the ban "really affected our rice bowl".
"A lot of people are suffering," added Mr Z, 37.
Yesterday, about 50 food delivery riders who use e-scooters also gathered at a Meet-the-People Session in Ang Mo Kio to voice their concerns. There, a few representatives said they met a grassroots leader.
GrabFood rider Lee Bee Leng, 46, said they were advised to submit a joint letter on their concerns and suggestions.
Speaking in Mandarin, she said: "We are not here to protest. We just want to give our side of the story."
Nee Soon GRC MP Lee Bee Wah said she is talking to both food delivery riders and parents who use e-scooters to ferry their children to and from school about how they can switch to other modes of transport or use the cycling path network in Yishun.
For food delivery riders, she will also look into measures such as helping them to buy bicycles where necessary.
Mr Louis Ng, another MP for Nee Soon GRC, has been approached for help by about 10 residents. He said: "We are looking into providing some interim financial assistance to food delivery riders from low-income families who depend on this for their livelihood.
"It hasn't been easy for them as they lost their livelihood overnight and will have to adapt now."
E-scooters banned on footpaths: Food delivery riders' concerns will be looked into, says Desmond Lee
Over 50 PMD riders turn up at Meet-the-People Session to speak to Desmond Lee about e-scooter ban on footpaths
By Goh Yan Han and Wong Kai Yi, The Straits Times, 8 Nov 2019
The concerns of food delivery riders who use personal mobility devices (PMDs) are "genuine Singaporean concerns", said Minister for Social and Family Development Desmond Lee last night at his Meet-the-People Session in Jurong Spring.
He said: "Because I'm from MSF, we'll want to make sure that if they have urgent concerns from what has happened to their livelihoods, we will be in a position to assist them as quickly as we can."
At the session, he met more than 50 PMD riders who were protesting against the e-scooter ban on footpaths that took effect on Tuesday.
The riders voiced their concerns to him and in a letter, which included their alternative proposals to the ban, such as needing a licence and a minimum age of 18 to ride a PMD.
There were also several PMD retailers present who delivered a letter of their own, asking for more shared paths and that PMDs be allowed on roads.
Mr Lee, who is a Jurong GRC MP, told the media the ban is "intended to safeguard Singaporeans who, as pedestrians, use the walkways".
"And so, these are the trade-offs and these rules have been put in place for a reason, but you also want to look after these (people)."
The group consisted mostly of GrabFood delivery riders, and some, such as part-time polytechnic student Musfirah Suandi, 28, were residents in Jurong GRC.
Ms Musfirah, who became a part-time GrabFood rider in July, said the work allowed her flexible hours to care for her 57-year-old mother who has diabetes and a weak heart. "This is our rice bowl. We won't ride recklessly because we don't want to jeopardise our rice bowl," she said.
Mr Lee, who spoke to the group at about 8.15pm at a multi-purpose hall in his ward, told them that he would do three things.
First, he said he would pass on the concerns expressed in the letters to the Ministry of Transport.
"Second, I offered to put them in touch with my team right here on site from both my branch, as well as union offices from the NTUC, to take down any concerns they may have," said Mr Lee.
Third, he offered to meet the riders one-on-one in his office after the session ended.
He also said he had met several residents who were food delivery riders who had highlighted similar concerns to him on Wednesday.
Another group of around 100 riders was at Block 644, Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4 to deliver a petition to Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry Koh Poh Koon, who is an MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC.
He is in Saudi Arabia accompanying President Halimah Yacob on a state visit.
Over 50 PMD riders turn up at Meet-the-People Session to speak to Desmond Lee about e-scooter ban on footpaths
By Goh Yan Han and Wong Kai Yi, The Straits Times, 8 Nov 2019
The concerns of food delivery riders who use personal mobility devices (PMDs) are "genuine Singaporean concerns", said Minister for Social and Family Development Desmond Lee last night at his Meet-the-People Session in Jurong Spring.
He said: "Because I'm from MSF, we'll want to make sure that if they have urgent concerns from what has happened to their livelihoods, we will be in a position to assist them as quickly as we can."
At the session, he met more than 50 PMD riders who were protesting against the e-scooter ban on footpaths that took effect on Tuesday.
The riders voiced their concerns to him and in a letter, which included their alternative proposals to the ban, such as needing a licence and a minimum age of 18 to ride a PMD.
There were also several PMD retailers present who delivered a letter of their own, asking for more shared paths and that PMDs be allowed on roads.
Mr Lee, who is a Jurong GRC MP, told the media the ban is "intended to safeguard Singaporeans who, as pedestrians, use the walkways".
"And so, these are the trade-offs and these rules have been put in place for a reason, but you also want to look after these (people)."
The group consisted mostly of GrabFood delivery riders, and some, such as part-time polytechnic student Musfirah Suandi, 28, were residents in Jurong GRC.
Ms Musfirah, who became a part-time GrabFood rider in July, said the work allowed her flexible hours to care for her 57-year-old mother who has diabetes and a weak heart. "This is our rice bowl. We won't ride recklessly because we don't want to jeopardise our rice bowl," she said.
Mr Lee, who spoke to the group at about 8.15pm at a multi-purpose hall in his ward, told them that he would do three things.
First, he said he would pass on the concerns expressed in the letters to the Ministry of Transport.
"Second, I offered to put them in touch with my team right here on site from both my branch, as well as union offices from the NTUC, to take down any concerns they may have," said Mr Lee.
Third, he offered to meet the riders one-on-one in his office after the session ended.
He also said he had met several residents who were food delivery riders who had highlighted similar concerns to him on Wednesday.
Another group of around 100 riders was at Block 644, Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4 to deliver a petition to Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry Koh Poh Koon, who is an MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC.
He is in Saudi Arabia accompanying President Halimah Yacob on a state visit.
* $7 million grant to help food delivery riders affected by footpath ban replace their e-scooters with other devices
Set up by Govt and three delivery firms, fund will give up to $1,000 each to buy alternatives
By Toh Ting Wei and Wong Kai Yi, The Straits Times, 9 Nov 2019
Food delivery riders affected by a ban to get electric scooters off public footpaths will receive up to $1,000 each to switch to bicycles, power-assisted bicycles (PABs) or personal mobility aids (PMAs).
The Government and three major food delivery companies - Grab, Deliveroo and foodpanda - have set up a $7 million e-scooter Trade-in Grant (eTG), the Ministry of Transport said yesterday.
Under the scheme, those who trade in their existing e-scooters from Nov 15 to Dec 31 will each get up to $1,000 to buy a PAB, or $600 for a bicycle. A typical e-scooter costs between $500 and $1,400.
Unlike bicycles and PMAs that can be used on footpaths, PABs are allowed only on roads and cycling paths. Riders must wear a helmet on roads.
Since the ban was announced on Monday, food delivery riders have voiced concerns that their livelihood would be affected. Groups of them have been meeting MPs to air their worries.
Those caught flouting the rules can be fined up to $2,000 and/or jailed for up to three months.
There are about 31,000 food delivery riders here, with some 7,000 - the majority being GrabFood riders - who use personal mobility devices (PMDs), mainly e-scooters.
Grab, Deliveroo and foodpanda will administer the trade-in grant scheme, said the authorities, adding that the companies are also working with retailers to purchase new devices in bulk to reduce costs.
Only those who are food delivery riders as at Nov 7, are eligible for the trade-in scheme. They will have to surrender their e-scooters at disposal points at Grab, Deliveroo and foodpanda premises.
NTUC's Employment and Employability Institute and Workforce Singapore are also working with the three companies to help affected riders.
They will provide career services and job search support under the Adapt and Grow initiative, for those who want to look for other jobs.
Riders with immediate financial difficulties can seek temporary financial help from Ministry of Social and Family Development and ComCare schemes, MOT added.
At a media briefing yesterday to announce the new initiatives, Senior Minister of State for Transport Lam Pin Min reiterated that the decision to ban e-scooters from public footpaths was a difficult one.
He said that while PMDs or e-scooters, used in a responsible way, are useful for first-and last-mile commutes as well as food delivery services, there have been too many accidents. "We have to ask ourselves - are we going to allow this to continue? We risk having more injuries and more fatalities," he said.
In a Facebook post, Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan said: "We are returning footpath safety to pre-PMD days."
Riders affected by the ban welcomed the grants. Said GrabFood delivery rider Muhamad Khairul, 33: "It's good that they are giving us a trade-in programme so we don't need to spend too much money to change from our e-scooters.
"It's fair for us."
Set up by Govt and three delivery firms, fund will give up to $1,000 each to buy alternatives
By Toh Ting Wei and Wong Kai Yi, The Straits Times, 9 Nov 2019
The Government and three major food delivery companies - Grab, Deliveroo and foodpanda - have set up a $7 million e-scooter Trade-in Grant (eTG), the Ministry of Transport said yesterday.
Under the scheme, those who trade in their existing e-scooters from Nov 15 to Dec 31 will each get up to $1,000 to buy a PAB, or $600 for a bicycle. A typical e-scooter costs between $500 and $1,400.
Unlike bicycles and PMAs that can be used on footpaths, PABs are allowed only on roads and cycling paths. Riders must wear a helmet on roads.
Since the ban was announced on Monday, food delivery riders have voiced concerns that their livelihood would be affected. Groups of them have been meeting MPs to air their worries.
Those caught flouting the rules can be fined up to $2,000 and/or jailed for up to three months.
There are about 31,000 food delivery riders here, with some 7,000 - the majority being GrabFood riders - who use personal mobility devices (PMDs), mainly e-scooters.
Grab, Deliveroo and foodpanda will administer the trade-in grant scheme, said the authorities, adding that the companies are also working with retailers to purchase new devices in bulk to reduce costs.
Only those who are food delivery riders as at Nov 7, are eligible for the trade-in scheme. They will have to surrender their e-scooters at disposal points at Grab, Deliveroo and foodpanda premises.
NTUC's Employment and Employability Institute and Workforce Singapore are also working with the three companies to help affected riders.
They will provide career services and job search support under the Adapt and Grow initiative, for those who want to look for other jobs.
Riders with immediate financial difficulties can seek temporary financial help from Ministry of Social and Family Development and ComCare schemes, MOT added.
At a media briefing yesterday to announce the new initiatives, Senior Minister of State for Transport Lam Pin Min reiterated that the decision to ban e-scooters from public footpaths was a difficult one.
He said that while PMDs or e-scooters, used in a responsible way, are useful for first-and last-mile commutes as well as food delivery services, there have been too many accidents. "We have to ask ourselves - are we going to allow this to continue? We risk having more injuries and more fatalities," he said.
In a Facebook post, Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan said: "We are returning footpath safety to pre-PMD days."
Riders affected by the ban welcomed the grants. Said GrabFood delivery rider Muhamad Khairul, 33: "It's good that they are giving us a trade-in programme so we don't need to spend too much money to change from our e-scooters.
"It's fair for us."
Relief for food delivery riders after trade-in grant to replace their e-scooters, but some concerns remain
By Wong Kai Yi and Toh Ting Wei, The Straits Times, 9 Nov 2019
Food delivery riders are relieved that the authorities will help them switch to alternative modes of transport with the aid of a grant.
Many told The Straits Times yesterday that they plan to trade in their e-scooters for a power-assisted bicycle, or e-bike.
Some added that they were concerned about going on the road alongside other vehicles.
GrabFood delivery rider Wawa Mohammed, 31, said she is happy to switch to an e-bike. "A normal bicycle will be difficult for me as my legs will have cramps after a while.
"But it will be a bit scary on the road with an electric bicycle as I have no car licence, no motorbike licence, and I have also heard there are a lot of accidents."
Mr Fazley Ahmad, 32, the sole breadwinner for his family of seven children, said: "I want to continue to work as a food delivery rider because the timing is flexible and I get to spend time with my children.
"I was very stressed the past few days, thinking about how I would support my family after the ban, but with the trade-in programme, I feel better."
Singapore Road Safety Council chairman Bernard Tay gave the thumbs up to the new move, saying that by getting the riders on the road, they will hopefully become more conscious of the need to observe safe riding habits.
"If you ride an e-bike on the road, you are no longer the fastest around. Now, it's the car that goes faster than you. The standards are different. You have to be very focused for both your own safety and others'." He also said there is more space on the road and cars are also more used to the presence of e-bikes and bicycles.
Mr Tay pointed out that there are fewer complaints about e-bikes on the road than e-scooters.
And even if many food delivery riders switch to e-bikes, the wider roads can cope with the higher traffic and spread them out, he added.
Unlike e-scooters, e-bikes do not have a throttle that delivers power on tap. The user has to pedal and build up momentum, Mr Tay said. This makes their movements more predictable.
Besides the trade-in programme, affected food delivery riders can expect other improvements in their work conditions.
Mr Ang Hin Kee, assistant director-general of the National Trades Union Congress, said the NTUC is looking into other issues raised by food delivery riders it has met in the past few days.
The NTUC is also encouraging food delivery firms to provide riders with safety vests and reflective helmets when they use their new e-bikes or bicycles.
Mr Ang said: "We will look at their contractual issues as well, to see whether their terms reflect safety considerations and whether there is a dispute resolution mechanism in place to solve disagreements between the riders and companies."
Impact of PMD ban on delivery riders taken seriously, Lam Pin Min says after dialogue
By Lim Min Zhang, The Straits Times, 13 Nov 2019
As food delivery riders continue to lobby MPs to review the ban on riding PMDs on footpaths, Senior Minister of State for Transport Lam Pin Min reiterated that the Government is taking the impact on their livelihoods very seriously.
The $7 million assistance scheme announced last Friday is one way it is helping personal mobility device (PMD) riders switch to an alternative vehicle to continue working, he said.
Speaking with reporters yesterday after an hour-long dialogue in his Sengkang West constituency with about 300 people, including delivery riders, Dr Lam said the session helped explain to those affected the rationale behind the ban on PMD riding on footpaths, which he announced in Parliament on Nov 4.
"We also want to let them know that we take their livelihoods very seriously, and therefore the $7 million assistance package is one way we are helping them to work and support their families," he added.
The media was not allowed into the closed-door session at Anchorvale Community Club, but participants interviewed afterwards said they were dismayed at the sudden ban and unhappy that no further solutions were offered by Dr Lam.
They said the mood during the session was tense, with many people fighting for the chance to speak.
Topics raised included the difficulties in switching to bicycles and electric bicycles, and instalment plans for those who have bought e-scooters.
Mr Muhamad Noorizar Salleh, 35, an adult educator, said more could be done for PMD riders who are parents like him. He uses an e-scooter to take his three children to school. "I've never had an accident in the past four years I've been riding," he said. "Since it's usually the younger riders who speed, why can't we have measures like an age limit of 21 years, instead of a blanket ban?"
Also in the hall was opposition politician Goh Meng Seng, the secretary-general of the People's Power Party. He said in a Facebook post that he told Dr Lam the $7 million grant to help delivery riders switch to e-bikes puts their lives at higher risk of getting hit by cars on the road. Dr Lam later told reporters that bicycles have been on the roads, and motorists are more familiar with looking out for them.
Last Friday, the Transport Ministry announced a $7 million grant to help food delivery riders who trade in their existing e-scooters. They get up to $1,000 to buy a power-assisted bicycle, or $600 for a bicycle. The scheme administered by Grab, Deliveroo and foodpanda will be in place till Dec 31.
The authorities have said they will mainly issue warnings to errant riders from now until the end of the year, but will adopt a zero-tolerance approach from next year.
Asked what he would say to riders who believe their e-scooters are now useless, Dr Lam said the Government understood that with this ban, there will be people affected.
"But our main priority is to return safety to pedestrians on footpaths - that is the main reason why we're doing this," he added. "We don't want a situation where if we do not do anything, it results in another fatality on the footpath."
Riders have been turning up at Meet-the-People Sessions (MPS) to voice their concerns over the ban. On Monday, a group of riders met Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat in his Tampines Central ward.
Dr Lam said yesterday that he understood not every delivery rider will be happy with the grant given, "but what we're trying to do is to allow them to return to the trade that they want to continue in".
He said for cases where the help is not sufficient, the ministry will work with local grassroots advisers and the community to see what more can be done.
* E-scooter, e-bike riders must take theory test; pedestrians will be encouraged to keep left on footpaths
Code of conduct to be expanded to cover pedestrians, who should keep left while using footpaths
By Toh Ting Wei, The Straits Times, 5 Dec 2019
A code of conduct that currently focuses on mobility device users will be expanded to cover pedestrians, and will include guidelines such as encouraging them to keep left on footpaths.
In addition, users of e-scooters and power-assisted bicycles, also called electric bicycles, will soon need to go for a theory test before they are allowed to ride their devices in public.
The Ministry of Transport (MOT) made these announcements yesterday in accepting all the recommendations made by the Active Mobility Advisory Panel.
The panel submitted the recommendations, which seek to improve the safety of pedestrians and active mobility device users, on Sept 27.
Other recommendations by the panel include compulsory third-party liability insurance for those who use e-scooters in their work, a minimum age requirement of 16 years to ride e-scooters on public paths, and banning the use of mobile phones when riding an active mobility device.
The ministry said the recommendations are timely and will complement existing efforts to improve path and road safety. It said the Government will work closely with the panel to implement the recommendations.
On the code of conduct, the ministry said it is meant to encourage people to share paths safely.
"We will expand the current code of conduct, which focuses on device users, to include guidelines to encourage pedestrians to keep left, keep to footpaths and for all path users to be alert to their surroundings," it said.
An MOT spokesman said the Land Transport Authority (LTA) is looking into implementation details and will announce more details in due course.
In a Facebook post, Senior Minister of State for Transport Lam Pin Min thanked members of the panel for their collective wisdom "to make difficult but balanced recommendations".
The panel had recommended that e-scooter users be required to take the mandatory theory test amid mounting safety concerns about the use of the devices.
The ministry said it has also accepted the Active Mobility Advisory Panel's recommendation to make third-party liability insurance compulsory for those who ride e-scooters in the course of their work.
"The Government accepts the recommendation and will extend the requirement on businesses to cover all other active mobility device users, including users of bicycles, power-assisted bicycles and personal mobility aids," MOT said in a statement.
There were about 100,000 registered e-scooters in Singapore as of last month, but the circumstances surrounding the devices have changed significantly since.
E-scooters are now banned from footpaths, and can be used only on the 440km of cycling paths islandwide. The LTA will expand this network to 750km by 2025, and triple the current distance by 2030.
Following the e-scooter ban from footpaths, about 7,000 food delivery riders from the three major food delivery companies were given the option to tap a $7 million grant to switch to devices including e-bicycles.
The grant is separate from a scheme which has owners of registered e-scooters receiving $100 for early disposal of devices that are not compliant with UL2272 standards and may be a fire hazard. Owners have filed more than 14,000 applications for this incentive.
Mr Denis Koh, an Active Mobility Advisory Panel member and chairman of PMD enthusiast group Big Wheel Scooters Singapore, said: "The Government has been relooking the safety aspects and made a decision (on the footpath ban).
"But after the dust settles we still need to move forward, so this is one way of doing so. It is a continuous process of finding the right balance."
Related
By Wong Kai Yi and Toh Ting Wei, The Straits Times, 9 Nov 2019
Many told The Straits Times yesterday that they plan to trade in their e-scooters for a power-assisted bicycle, or e-bike.
Some added that they were concerned about going on the road alongside other vehicles.
GrabFood delivery rider Wawa Mohammed, 31, said she is happy to switch to an e-bike. "A normal bicycle will be difficult for me as my legs will have cramps after a while.
"But it will be a bit scary on the road with an electric bicycle as I have no car licence, no motorbike licence, and I have also heard there are a lot of accidents."
Mr Fazley Ahmad, 32, the sole breadwinner for his family of seven children, said: "I want to continue to work as a food delivery rider because the timing is flexible and I get to spend time with my children.
"I was very stressed the past few days, thinking about how I would support my family after the ban, but with the trade-in programme, I feel better."
Singapore Road Safety Council chairman Bernard Tay gave the thumbs up to the new move, saying that by getting the riders on the road, they will hopefully become more conscious of the need to observe safe riding habits.
"If you ride an e-bike on the road, you are no longer the fastest around. Now, it's the car that goes faster than you. The standards are different. You have to be very focused for both your own safety and others'." He also said there is more space on the road and cars are also more used to the presence of e-bikes and bicycles.
Mr Tay pointed out that there are fewer complaints about e-bikes on the road than e-scooters.
And even if many food delivery riders switch to e-bikes, the wider roads can cope with the higher traffic and spread them out, he added.
Unlike e-scooters, e-bikes do not have a throttle that delivers power on tap. The user has to pedal and build up momentum, Mr Tay said. This makes their movements more predictable.
Besides the trade-in programme, affected food delivery riders can expect other improvements in their work conditions.
Mr Ang Hin Kee, assistant director-general of the National Trades Union Congress, said the NTUC is looking into other issues raised by food delivery riders it has met in the past few days.
The NTUC is also encouraging food delivery firms to provide riders with safety vests and reflective helmets when they use their new e-bikes or bicycles.
Mr Ang said: "We will look at their contractual issues as well, to see whether their terms reflect safety considerations and whether there is a dispute resolution mechanism in place to solve disagreements between the riders and companies."
Impact of PMD ban on delivery riders taken seriously, Lam Pin Min says after dialogue
By Lim Min Zhang, The Straits Times, 13 Nov 2019
As food delivery riders continue to lobby MPs to review the ban on riding PMDs on footpaths, Senior Minister of State for Transport Lam Pin Min reiterated that the Government is taking the impact on their livelihoods very seriously.
The $7 million assistance scheme announced last Friday is one way it is helping personal mobility device (PMD) riders switch to an alternative vehicle to continue working, he said.
Speaking with reporters yesterday after an hour-long dialogue in his Sengkang West constituency with about 300 people, including delivery riders, Dr Lam said the session helped explain to those affected the rationale behind the ban on PMD riding on footpaths, which he announced in Parliament on Nov 4.
"We also want to let them know that we take their livelihoods very seriously, and therefore the $7 million assistance package is one way we are helping them to work and support their families," he added.
The media was not allowed into the closed-door session at Anchorvale Community Club, but participants interviewed afterwards said they were dismayed at the sudden ban and unhappy that no further solutions were offered by Dr Lam.
They said the mood during the session was tense, with many people fighting for the chance to speak.
Topics raised included the difficulties in switching to bicycles and electric bicycles, and instalment plans for those who have bought e-scooters.
Mr Muhamad Noorizar Salleh, 35, an adult educator, said more could be done for PMD riders who are parents like him. He uses an e-scooter to take his three children to school. "I've never had an accident in the past four years I've been riding," he said. "Since it's usually the younger riders who speed, why can't we have measures like an age limit of 21 years, instead of a blanket ban?"
Also in the hall was opposition politician Goh Meng Seng, the secretary-general of the People's Power Party. He said in a Facebook post that he told Dr Lam the $7 million grant to help delivery riders switch to e-bikes puts their lives at higher risk of getting hit by cars on the road. Dr Lam later told reporters that bicycles have been on the roads, and motorists are more familiar with looking out for them.
Last Friday, the Transport Ministry announced a $7 million grant to help food delivery riders who trade in their existing e-scooters. They get up to $1,000 to buy a power-assisted bicycle, or $600 for a bicycle. The scheme administered by Grab, Deliveroo and foodpanda will be in place till Dec 31.
The authorities have said they will mainly issue warnings to errant riders from now until the end of the year, but will adopt a zero-tolerance approach from next year.
Asked what he would say to riders who believe their e-scooters are now useless, Dr Lam said the Government understood that with this ban, there will be people affected.
"But our main priority is to return safety to pedestrians on footpaths - that is the main reason why we're doing this," he added. "We don't want a situation where if we do not do anything, it results in another fatality on the footpath."
Riders have been turning up at Meet-the-People Sessions (MPS) to voice their concerns over the ban. On Monday, a group of riders met Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat in his Tampines Central ward.
Dr Lam said yesterday that he understood not every delivery rider will be happy with the grant given, "but what we're trying to do is to allow them to return to the trade that they want to continue in".
He said for cases where the help is not sufficient, the ministry will work with local grassroots advisers and the community to see what more can be done.
LTA warns against turning e-scooters into mobility aids; vendors will be dealt with
By Toh Ting Wei, The Straits Times, 14 Nov 2019
Vendors who modify electric scooters into personal mobility aids (PMAs) by adding a third wheel and reducing the maximum speed of the device will be taken to task, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has warned.
Such "irresponsible vendors" can end up making the devices unsafe, the authority said in a Facebook post yesterday. Its statement came amid a flurry of online advertisements from vendors offering a way out for e-scooter users feeling the impact of a ban on using public footpaths.
PMAs, including wheelchairs, motorised wheelchairs and mobility scooters, are not affected by the ban, which began a week ago.
LTA said: "These are irresponsible vendors as such modifications will compromise the original device's electrical and mechanical systems as well as structural integrity, void its safety certifications, and importantly, pose safety risks to both the user and the public.
"LTA will not hesitate to take enforcement action against those who wilfully disregard stipulated criteria and those who conduct such irresponsible modifications."
The authority added that PMAs are typically used by the elderly or people with mobility challenges. The devices usually have three or more wheels, a footboard supported by the wheels, a seat for the user and a top speed of 10kmh.
Most PMAs comply with international standards for safety and performance, LTA added. Regulations regarding them are less stringent than for e-scooters. For example, they do not need to be registered with the authority and have no maximum weight or width restrictions.
Since the announcement a week ago of the ban on e-scooters on footpaths, food delivery riders, as some of the heaviest users of the devices, have turned up in droves at Meet-the-People Sessions to plead their case to MPs that the devices are necessary for their livelihoods.
Some 50 turned up at Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's ward in Ang Mo Kio GRC a week ago. About 300 - the largest turnout - showed up to speak to Senior Minister of State for Transport Lam Pin Min at his Sengkang West constituency on Tuesday.
But, disappointed with the outcomes, riders seem to have accepted that the authorities will not budge. Just two were present last night to meet MP Ang Hin Kee, who was standing in for PM Lee at his Teck Ghee ward.
A GrabFood rider, who wanted to be known only as Ms Lee, went to four Meet-the-People Sessions last week but has stopped doing so.
She said: "We were very disappointed, we talked so much but it was useless... They wanted us to hear them and not to hear us.
"I decided not to waste my energy and time, and I will just use the time to work now while I can."
Mr Ang, who is also the assistant director-general of the NTUC, said the union has been talking to affected riders to see how it can assist them. He added that NTUC will work with the Government to support the cost of re-training for those now contemplating a career switch.
He urged food delivery firms to do more to help workers, beyond their contributions to a $7 million grant to let them switch out from e-scooters.
Mr Ang said: "We are now in discussions with them about their business model, and how they can help riders tide over this period first... so I look forward to the (firms) announcing something to that effect."
By Toh Ting Wei, The Straits Times, 14 Nov 2019
Vendors who modify electric scooters into personal mobility aids (PMAs) by adding a third wheel and reducing the maximum speed of the device will be taken to task, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has warned.
Such "irresponsible vendors" can end up making the devices unsafe, the authority said in a Facebook post yesterday. Its statement came amid a flurry of online advertisements from vendors offering a way out for e-scooter users feeling the impact of a ban on using public footpaths.
PMAs, including wheelchairs, motorised wheelchairs and mobility scooters, are not affected by the ban, which began a week ago.
LTA said: "These are irresponsible vendors as such modifications will compromise the original device's electrical and mechanical systems as well as structural integrity, void its safety certifications, and importantly, pose safety risks to both the user and the public.
"LTA will not hesitate to take enforcement action against those who wilfully disregard stipulated criteria and those who conduct such irresponsible modifications."
The authority added that PMAs are typically used by the elderly or people with mobility challenges. The devices usually have three or more wheels, a footboard supported by the wheels, a seat for the user and a top speed of 10kmh.
Most PMAs comply with international standards for safety and performance, LTA added. Regulations regarding them are less stringent than for e-scooters. For example, they do not need to be registered with the authority and have no maximum weight or width restrictions.
Since the announcement a week ago of the ban on e-scooters on footpaths, food delivery riders, as some of the heaviest users of the devices, have turned up in droves at Meet-the-People Sessions to plead their case to MPs that the devices are necessary for their livelihoods.
Some 50 turned up at Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's ward in Ang Mo Kio GRC a week ago. About 300 - the largest turnout - showed up to speak to Senior Minister of State for Transport Lam Pin Min at his Sengkang West constituency on Tuesday.
But, disappointed with the outcomes, riders seem to have accepted that the authorities will not budge. Just two were present last night to meet MP Ang Hin Kee, who was standing in for PM Lee at his Teck Ghee ward.
A GrabFood rider, who wanted to be known only as Ms Lee, went to four Meet-the-People Sessions last week but has stopped doing so.
She said: "We were very disappointed, we talked so much but it was useless... They wanted us to hear them and not to hear us.
"I decided not to waste my energy and time, and I will just use the time to work now while I can."
Mr Ang, who is also the assistant director-general of the NTUC, said the union has been talking to affected riders to see how it can assist them. He added that NTUC will work with the Government to support the cost of re-training for those now contemplating a career switch.
He urged food delivery firms to do more to help workers, beyond their contributions to a $7 million grant to let them switch out from e-scooters.
Mr Ang said: "We are now in discussions with them about their business model, and how they can help riders tide over this period first... so I look forward to the (firms) announcing something to that effect."
* E-scooter, e-bike riders must take theory test; pedestrians will be encouraged to keep left on footpaths
Code of conduct to be expanded to cover pedestrians, who should keep left while using footpaths
By Toh Ting Wei, The Straits Times, 5 Dec 2019
A code of conduct that currently focuses on mobility device users will be expanded to cover pedestrians, and will include guidelines such as encouraging them to keep left on footpaths.
In addition, users of e-scooters and power-assisted bicycles, also called electric bicycles, will soon need to go for a theory test before they are allowed to ride their devices in public.
The Ministry of Transport (MOT) made these announcements yesterday in accepting all the recommendations made by the Active Mobility Advisory Panel.
The panel submitted the recommendations, which seek to improve the safety of pedestrians and active mobility device users, on Sept 27.
Other recommendations by the panel include compulsory third-party liability insurance for those who use e-scooters in their work, a minimum age requirement of 16 years to ride e-scooters on public paths, and banning the use of mobile phones when riding an active mobility device.
The ministry said the recommendations are timely and will complement existing efforts to improve path and road safety. It said the Government will work closely with the panel to implement the recommendations.
On the code of conduct, the ministry said it is meant to encourage people to share paths safely.
"We will expand the current code of conduct, which focuses on device users, to include guidelines to encourage pedestrians to keep left, keep to footpaths and for all path users to be alert to their surroundings," it said.
An MOT spokesman said the Land Transport Authority (LTA) is looking into implementation details and will announce more details in due course.
In a Facebook post, Senior Minister of State for Transport Lam Pin Min thanked members of the panel for their collective wisdom "to make difficult but balanced recommendations".
The panel had recommended that e-scooter users be required to take the mandatory theory test amid mounting safety concerns about the use of the devices.
The ministry said it has also accepted the Active Mobility Advisory Panel's recommendation to make third-party liability insurance compulsory for those who ride e-scooters in the course of their work.
"The Government accepts the recommendation and will extend the requirement on businesses to cover all other active mobility device users, including users of bicycles, power-assisted bicycles and personal mobility aids," MOT said in a statement.
There were about 100,000 registered e-scooters in Singapore as of last month, but the circumstances surrounding the devices have changed significantly since.
E-scooters are now banned from footpaths, and can be used only on the 440km of cycling paths islandwide. The LTA will expand this network to 750km by 2025, and triple the current distance by 2030.
Following the e-scooter ban from footpaths, about 7,000 food delivery riders from the three major food delivery companies were given the option to tap a $7 million grant to switch to devices including e-bicycles.
The grant is separate from a scheme which has owners of registered e-scooters receiving $100 for early disposal of devices that are not compliant with UL2272 standards and may be a fire hazard. Owners have filed more than 14,000 applications for this incentive.
Mr Denis Koh, an Active Mobility Advisory Panel member and chairman of PMD enthusiast group Big Wheel Scooters Singapore, said: "The Government has been relooking the safety aspects and made a decision (on the footpath ban).
"But after the dust settles we still need to move forward, so this is one way of doing so. It is a continuous process of finding the right balance."
Recommendations from the Active Mobility Advisory Panel
Measures to be implemented
By Toh Ting Wei, The Straits Times, 5 Dec 2019
THEORY TEST
Owners of e-scooters and power-assisted bicycles will have to take a compulsory theory test before they are allowed to ride their devices in public.
THIRD-PARTY LIABILITY INSURANCE
Businesses which have workers using active mobility devices for work will be required to buy third-party liability insurance for the workers. Active mobility devices include electric bicycles, bicycles, personal mobility aids and e-scooters.
The Government will also work with the Active Mobility Advisory Panel to consider whether the insurance should be made compulsory for other device users.
MINIMUM AGE
Riders must be at least 16 years old to use an e-scooter on cycling paths. Those below age 16 can use the devices only under adult supervision.
MOBILE PHONE USE
Users of active mobility devices will not be allowed to use their mobile phones while riding their devices in public, unless the phones are used in a hands-free manner.
CODE OF CONDUCT FOR ALL PATH USERS
A code of conduct on how all path users can share paths safely will be introduced. This will include guidelines to encourage pedestrians to keep left and keep to footpaths, and for all path users to be alert to their surroundings.
Measures to be implemented
By Toh Ting Wei, The Straits Times, 5 Dec 2019
THEORY TEST
Owners of e-scooters and power-assisted bicycles will have to take a compulsory theory test before they are allowed to ride their devices in public.
THIRD-PARTY LIABILITY INSURANCE
Businesses which have workers using active mobility devices for work will be required to buy third-party liability insurance for the workers. Active mobility devices include electric bicycles, bicycles, personal mobility aids and e-scooters.
The Government will also work with the Active Mobility Advisory Panel to consider whether the insurance should be made compulsory for other device users.
MINIMUM AGE
Riders must be at least 16 years old to use an e-scooter on cycling paths. Those below age 16 can use the devices only under adult supervision.
MOBILE PHONE USE
Users of active mobility devices will not be allowed to use their mobile phones while riding their devices in public, unless the phones are used in a hands-free manner.
CODE OF CONDUCT FOR ALL PATH USERS
A code of conduct on how all path users can share paths safely will be introduced. This will include guidelines to encourage pedestrians to keep left and keep to footpaths, and for all path users to be alert to their surroundings.
Related
E-Scooters to Be Prohibited on All Footpaths Following Safety Review -4 Nov 2019
$7 million E-Scooter Trade-in Grant to Help Food Delivery Riders Switch to Alternative Modes of Transport -8 Nov 2019
PMD rules tightened to boost safety, lower fire risk; Ban on PMDs at void decks, common areas to kick in on 1 Sept 2019
Government Accepts All Recommendations from the Active Mobility Advisory Panel -4 Dec 2019
$7 million E-Scooter Trade-in Grant to Help Food Delivery Riders Switch to Alternative Modes of Transport -8 Nov 2019
PMD rules tightened to boost safety, lower fire risk; Ban on PMDs at void decks, common areas to kick in on 1 Sept 2019
Government Accepts All Recommendations from the Active Mobility Advisory Panel -4 Dec 2019
No comments:
Post a Comment