Oral Reply by Senior Minister of State for Transport Dr Lam Pin Min to Parliamentary Question on Overseas PMD Regulations

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked the Minister for Transport 

a.     whether the Ministry is studying the policies and rules governing the use of e-scooters in Berlin and Paris; and

b.     whether Paris's move to ban e-scooters from footpaths can be emulated.

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

1.     We will continue to study other countries and cities’ e-scooters regulations. There is a wide range of practices across jurisdictions. For example, Paris will ban the use of e-scooters on footpaths, while Berlin will allow them but with a device speed limit of 12km/hour. Queensland in Australia allows e-scooters on footpaths but sets a higher device speed limit of 25km/hour.

2.     We have to tailor our approach to our local context and the needs of Singaporeans. In Singapore, such active mobility devices are useful for short journeys within towns and as first-last mile options. In 2015, after an extensive public consultation, the Active Mobility Advisory Panel recommended that escooters be allowed on footpaths, but with a clear set of rules and code of conduct to ensure their safe use.

3.     We are mindful of the safety concerns expressed by Members as well as the general public. However, the solution is not to ban them, but to cultivate the right culture where users ride safely and responsibly and only at the allowed places. We will continue our public education efforts. We have also put in place a comprehensive set of regulations, with regular enforcement by LTA enforcement officers at hotspots. To date, more than 1,630 individuals have been caught for e-scooter related offences. We have also introduced a mandatory escooter registration regime to facilitate identification of errant riders. We encourage members of public as well as the vast majority of responsible personal mobility device users to help spot and report errant riders to LTA. Collectively, we can encourage safe riding and considerate behaviour on our shared paths.