Written Reply by Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan to Parliamentary Question on Falls from Personal Mobility Devices and Progress of Safe Cycling Programmes for Students

Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked the Minister for Transport in light of a significant number of children sustaining fractures through falls from personal mobility devices (PMDs)

a.     what is the progress of safe cycling programmes for students;

b.     whether this programme covers all types of PMDs; and

c.     how many cases of injuries arising from falls from PMDs have been treated at government hospitals or polyclinics in the past two years.

Reply by Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan:

1.     The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has reached out to more than 70,000 primary school students via publications. Last year, it also conducted a pilot Safe Riding Programme (SRP) in four schools. The pilot was very well received. LTA is in the process of appointing training providers to conduct the programme at more schools this year.

2.     The SRP covers the use of personal mobility devices (PMDs). It teaches users how to manoeuvre their PMD when they encounter different situations. As there are many different types of PMD in the market, the programme participants are required to have at least basic ability in using their device. New PMD users could approach their retailer for such basic training.

3.     Government hospitals and polyclinics do not maintain statistics on injuries that arise from falls from PMDs.