Everything You Need To Know About The PMD Ban Starting Tomorrow (5 Nov)

By
Siti Hawa
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The day we have all been waiting for is finally here. Well, most of us anyway.

Gone will be the days where we have to constantly look behind us to ensure that a Personal Mobility Device (PMD) doesn’t come hurtling in our direction, ploughing us off our feet.

Yes, I have had the pleasure of being mowed down by one in the past, so hearing this beautiful piece of news has just made my entire day.

PMDs Are Now Banned On Footpaths Starting Tomorrow (5 November 2019)

Time to plan a celebration party because the use of electric scooters will be banned on footpaths in Singapore from Tuesday (5 November 2019).

Now you must be thinking that it’s going to be pretty hard to enforce. Well, if it’s anything to go by, the punishment for insubordination might be enough to deter errant PMD riders.

For starters, offenders will face fines and jail time once the ban is strictly enforced starting next year.

New year resolution? Don’t ride PMDs on footpaths.

However, the ban will officially begin tomorrow, 5 November 2019.

Advisory Period Until 31 December Will Be Formed To Give PMD Riders Time To Adjust

So if it’ll only be “strictly enforced” starting next year, does it mean people can still ride their PMDs anyhowly?

The answer is no. Errant PMD riders will still be caught if they are found to be violating the ban.

However, the gahmen is fair: Senior Minister of State for Transport Lam Pin Min said in parliament that an advisory period will be put in place until 31 December.

During this time, riders who violate the rules will be given stern warnings.

After that period of time, you won’t want to be caught on footpaths though because stricter enforcement will be put into place.

“From Jan 1, 2020, we will carry out strict enforcement, and those caught riding an e-scooter on footpaths will be liable for a fine up to S$2,000 and/or jail up to three months.”

Ban Won’t Apply To Bicycles Or Personal Mobility Aids 

For those of you worrying about how this might affect the frail aunties or uncles who need motorised wheelchairs, don’t worry!

The ban won’t apply to bicycles or personal mobility aids or motorised scooters.

Phew.

Hoverboards And Electric Unicycles

BUT, for those who are using other types of PMDs such as hoverboards and electric unicycles will also be banned by the first quarter of next year.

This ban is bigly.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) will reject existing license applications for PMD-sharing services and no new applications and no new applications for such licences will be accepted because of safety concerns.

Wow, does this mean we will have to bid goodybye to Grab Wheel?

Image: Grab

In October, LTA also announced that all e-scooters will be made to go through checks every two years to make sure that they comply with the criteria for use on public paths.

This includes UL2272 certification, width, weight and device speed limits. E-scooter users who fail to send their devices for inspection could face fines of up to S$1,000 and up to three months’ jail.

I think it is a welcome change after all the accidents, deaths and injuries that have happened as a result of PMDs.

Hopefully, this ban will result in a decrease in casualities.

This is bigly.

Here’s a simplified summary of the South Korea martial law that even a 5-year-old would understand:

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Siti Hawa
Email: [email protected]