10 Facts About The Theory Test That E-Bike & E-Scooter Riders Have to Take from 30 June 2021

Ignorance may not necessarily be a crime.. but it’s just as bad as committing one.

After all, ignorance could prove harmful if taken in large doses, and it’s a notion that hits particularly true on the road.

So really, it’s a relief to know that E-Bike & E-Scooter riders will soon have to go through compulsory online theory tests to verify their eligibility.

Apart from making it safer for them, such a protocol would also ensure that no innocent lives are lost because of sheer ignorance.

10 Facts About The Theory Test That E-Bike & E-Scooter Riders Have to Take from 30 June 2021

1. Commencement

The online tests, which are deemed to be mandatory, will come into effect from 30 June 2021 onwards.

The revelation comes nearly two years after the idea was first pitched by the Active Mobility Advisory Panel (AMAP). The suggestion was made after a series of accidents revolving around mobility devices.

2. Handbooks

According to The Straits Times, the tests will cover a total of three modules for each group.

Information has been released via online-published handbooks, with covered content entailing general information on active mobility devices, the respective checks and general rules for device usage.

You can check out the handbooks here (E-Scooter users) and here (E-Bike users).

It should be noted that the E-Scooter manual is considerably shorter than its peer, with just 64 pages of content compared to 100.

Guides will supposedly be provided in other languages in due time.

3. Test Format

Apparently, the theory tests will consist of multiple-choice questions.

They can be answered online.

In addition, more details are expected to be released soon.

4. Purpose

According to Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Transport Baey Yam Keng, the tests will help current endeavours to promote safe riding.

“This will be an important step in ensuring that e-scooter and power-assisted bicycle riders are familiar with active mobility rules and the code of conduct, and are able to share spaces safely and responsibly with fellow path and road users,” he said.

5. Consequences

What happens, then, if you happen to fail the test?

Well for starters, you won’t be able to pilot your electric vehicle on the road. And for seconds…

You may just lose a few job prospects here and there, considering how it would also be illegal for transportation-reliant companies to hire you to take to the road.

Prime example? A food delivery company.

6. Penalty

Should a user or company flout the rules, they may be liable to face the due consequences.

According to reports, offenders could be liable to face an imprisonment term of up to six months, a maximum fine of S$2,000, or both.

7. Announcement

For the record, the revelation was officially announced yesterday (30 April 2021) via the Land Transport Authority’s Facebook page.

The post has since gone viral, with over 300 likes & reactions, as well as a whopping 613 shares.

8. Concerns

Yet despite the reasonable ‘fanfare’, the announcement has been met with several concerns.

One, for instance, wondered how the illiterate and English-stumped folks out there are going to take the tests.

“How are those who are illiterate taking these tests?” one Netizen stated. “Folks who are elderly who have never finished primary school? These folks knew the laws that were explained to them in dialects. But will have difficulties taking tests that are in written English Language? How are they going to pass these tests? Will this be another obstacle on top of their living challenges they faced all their lives?”

And another pointed out that such theory tests may simply be “for show”.

“Not practical cos the reason why pmd got banned on foot paths is because of the bad apples. Bad apples even if take the theory test and pass, won’t bother abt the law. Theory test is more for show.”

It also doesn’t help that online tests, according to several Netizens, can be easily cheated on.

“Please don’t waste time… online can easily cheat.”

The Netizen who was speaking about bad apples then added that for law-flouting users to learn, they may have to face punishments in the form of an enhanced fine or jail term.

“The only way is to have heavier fines/jail for those who flout repeatedly.”

9. Other Measures

Apart from compulsory online tests, other measures will also be imposed to encourage safe riding on the roads.

These include enhancements for bicycles, third-party liability insurance and general education efforts.

10. And It Seems That Things Are Already Looking Up

According to reports, the rate of accidents involving PMDs on footpaths has already fallen by nearly 80 per cent between 2019 and 2020.

There were 144 in 2019, and just 30 in 2020.

But Singapore is not resting still just yet.

“What is most important is that we continue working with the community to reduce accidents,” Mr Baey said. “In a small, land-constrained city like Singapore, active mobility infrastructure and regulations can only go so far. All of us have a critical role to play too.”

Hopefully, with the mandatory online tests in mind…

Things may still take an even more positive turn than they already are.

Featured Image: Facebook (Land Transport Authority – We Keep Your World Moving)