Oral Reply by Senior Minister of State for Transport Dr Lam Pin Min to Parliamentary Question on Footpath Safety

Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Transport in light of continuing serious casualties caused by PMDs

a.     whether the Government will review the viability of PMD use in Singapore under existing regulations;

b.     whether the Government intends to introduce new measures to ensure safe use of PMDs; and

c.     whether the Government will consider mandatory safe-riding certification courses with disqualification rights under the law like other classes of motorists. 

Mr Sitoh Yih Pin asked the Minister for Transport

a.     what are the Ministry’s plans to improve footpath safety back to levels before PMDs were allowed on footpaths; and

b.     what is the estimated time frame that the Ministry has set to achieve this objective. 

Mr Ang Wei Neng asked the Minister for Transport

a.     how many physical and online retailers have agreed to stop selling e-scooters or PMDs that are non-compliant with the UL2272 standard;

b.     what are the measures that LTA has taken to detect physical and online retailers that continue to advertise or sell PMDs that are non-compliant with the UL2272 standard; and

c.     what are the punitive measures that LTA can adopt to act against such errant retailers.

Mr Lim Biow Chuan asked the Minister for Transport whether the Ministry will increase the number of enforcement teams to actively enforce the rules on the use of PMDs on shared footpaths. 

Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Transport

a.     what are the measures in place to deter the sale and supply of non-compliant PMDs in Singapore by online suppliers (whether local or overseas based); and

b.     whether the Ministry has asked Singapore Customs to help detect and prevent non-compliant PMDs from being brought into Singapore by any supplier or individual.

Reply by Senior Minister of State for Transport Dr Lam Pin Min:

1.     In February 2017, we debated at length in this House and passed the Active Mobility Bill to regulate the use of active mobility devices on public paths and to support active mobility. Prior to this, motorised personal mobility devices (PMDs) were not allowed on footpaths. There are more than 5,500 km of footpaths islandwide, almost double the 3,500 km of roads. The convenience of being able to use these devices on footpaths for first-and-last-mile commutes, as well as for food delivery services, contributed to their popularity and a sharp increase in their population to close to 100,000 today. 

2.     Over the last two years, we put in great efforts to promote the safe use of motorised PMDs. We legislated compliance standards for the devices and their proper usage. We mandated an e-scooter registration regime. Working closely with the Active Mobility Advisory Panel, we introduced a Safe Riding Programme and reduced speed limits on footpaths. We stepped up enforcement and, through the MyTransport.SG mobile application, obtained regular public feedback on errant users and hotspots. 

3.     Despite significant efforts, we continue to encounter errant riders who use non-compliant devices and ride dangerously. We catch an average of about 350 offenders per month. The number of accidents involving motorised PMDs continues to rise. There have been more severe accidents, and even a fatal one involving a cyclist in September. Many riders have themselves suffered severe injuries, including a few who lost their lives.

4.     Singaporeans and several Members of Parliament have called for harsher measures against errant riders. Others have demanded that motorised PMDs be fitted with tamper-proof GPS trackers. Unfortunately, this will affect their circuitry, making them non-compliant to the UL2272 standard. 

5.     As more accidents occur, the calls for a total ban on PMD usage get louder.

6.     We are not alone in having to revisit existing rules governing the use of motorised PMDs. Last week, France announced that it would no longer allow the riding of e-scooters on its pavements. This followed hundreds of e-scooter-related incidents, including several deaths.

7.     Cities have allowed the use of such devices on footpaths as they are non-pollutive, inexpensive and, if properly used, convenient for short intra-town travels. We expected the co-sharing of footpaths to be challenging but were hopeful that with public education, PMD users would be gracious and responsible. Unfortunately, this was not so.

8.     Like France, Japan and many other countries, we have decided to prohibit the use of e-scooters from all footpaths. This will take effect from tomorrow. To allow time for users to adjust, we will provide an advisory period until 31 December 2019 before carrying out strict enforcement. From 1 January 2020, those caught riding an e-scooter on footpaths will be liable for a fine up to $2,000 and/or jail up to 3 months.

9.     This ban from footpaths will not apply to those with mobility challenges who ride personal mobility aids like motorised wheelchairs and mobility scooters. The ban will also not apply to bicycles.

10.    We are aware that the banning of e-scooter usage on footpaths will impact food delivery riders who rely on them for work. We understand from the major food delivery companies that their deliveries are largely done by motorcycles and delivery vehicles. Less than 30% of Deliveroo and FoodPanda’s riders use e-scooters. LTA will work with the food delivery companies to allow as many of their delivery riders to switch to motorcycles or bicycles.

11.    This move is not a complete ban of e-scooters in Singapore. We will continue to allow them on dedicated cycling paths. We are stepping up the construction of such cycling paths, to provide clear separation between pedestrians and e-scooters, as in Ang Mo Kio and Tampines Towns. LTA will be adding dedicated cycling paths in towns such as Woodlands, Toa Payoh and Choa Chu Kang. Overall, we will extend the network of dedicated cycling paths from 400km today to 750km, latest by 2025.

12.    As for the fire safety concerns, we brought forward the deadline for compliance with the UL2272 standard to 1 July 2020. We will also be introducing a regular inspection regime to ensure compliance. Out of the 100,000 registered e-scooters, at least 80,000 are not UL2272-certified and cannot be used on public paths come 1 July 2020. Of the remaining 20%, those which fail our inspection regime will likewise not be allowed to be used on public paths. This will effectively reduce the population of e-scooters on public paths significantly. We are offering owners of non-compliant e-scooters an incentive of $100 if they dispose of their non-compliant devices early. Since the rollout of the scheme on 23 September 2019, more than 3,700 e-scooters have been disposed. We have decided to extend the early disposal incentive scheme from 30 November to 31 December 2019. We strongly urge the owners of non-compliant e-scooters to dispose their devices early to protect themselves and their neighbours from unnecessary fire risks. 

13.    Members asked about the sale of non-UL2272 certified devices. Since 1 July 2019, it has been an offence for retailers to display, advertise, or sell non UL2272 certified PMDs for use on public paths in Singapore. Those convicted may be liable to a fine up to $5,000 and/or jail up to 3 months for the first offence. To date, 12 retailers have been caught and charged. We are considering raising the penalties to root out such irresponsible acts. LTA is also studying upstream measures, including import controls, to stem the inflow of non-compliant PMDs into Singapore.

14.    Finally, given the safety concerns of motorised PMD usage on footpaths, we have decided not to accept any new application for PMD-sharing licenses. As for the existing applications, we will issue a directive to LTA to reject them.

Mr Speaker,

15.    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. We hope to have Members’ understanding and support for the new policy.