Government Accepts All Recommendations from the Active Mobility Advisory Panel

1.     The Government has considered and accepted all latest recommendations by the Active Mobility Advisory Panel (AMAP) which was submitted to the Ministry of Transport on 27 September 2019 to further improve the safety of pedestrians and active mobility device users. The recommendations are:

a)     Third-party liability insurance

Businesses to procure mandatory third-party liability insurance to cover e-scooter users who ride in the course of work, and to prepare the industry and community to move towards mandatory insurance for all e-scooter users.

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 (PABs), and personal mobility aids (PMAs). We will work with AMAP to consider whether third-party liability insurance should be made mandatory for other individual device riders.

b)     Theory test

To mandate a theory test requirement for e-scooter users, prior to being allowed to ride on cycling paths.

The Government accepts the recommendation and will extend this to PAB users who ride on cycling paths and the roads.

c)     Minimum age

To impose a minimum age requirement of 16 years to use an e-scooter on cycling paths. Those below the age of 16 can continue to use e-scooters under adult supervision.

d)     Use of mobile phone

To disallow the use of mobile phones when riding an active mobility device on public paths, unless the mobile phone is mounted or used in a hands-free manner. This will also cover active mobility devices used on roads.

e)     Code of Conduct for all path users

To introduce a Code of Conduct for all path users on how 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.

2.     The AMAP’s recommendations are timely and will complement existing efforts to improve path and road safety. The Government will work closely together with AMAP to implement these recommendations.

3.     AMAP’s report is available online.