PUB: PMD Riders Riding On Drain Cover Can Be Fined $40,000

If anything, the Personal Mobility Device (PMD) ban has proven that Singaporeans are resourceful and innovative creatures.

Throw a problem at them and they’ll spit out a solution in no time.

Now lest you’ve been hiding in a cave for the past few days, you would know that PMDs have been banned from footpaths:

In essence, errant PMD riders who die die still want to ride on footpaths will be issued a warning until 31 December 2019.

After which, they will be slapped with a fine of $2,000.

Idea 1: Riding On Grass Patches

After the PMD ban was announced, riders got creative and started looking at… alternative measures. Such as grass. Yeah, grass looks great let’s ride our PMDs on it.

Wrong.

NParks stepped up to clarify that those who ride on grass patches will be slapped with a fine of up to $5,000. Whoops.

Still, Singaporeans are well known for their tenacity and their never-say-die spirit. Of course, they didn’t give up!

Idea 2: Riding On Drain Covers

There’s a saying that goes along this line: If you try to ride on footpaths and fail, try again. If you try to ride on grass patches and fail… try again.

And yes, try again they did and the result?

In the video, he proudly says, “Government never say drain cannot.”

I must commend the effort. It’s truly impressive. Unfortunately this time, it was Public Utilities Board (PUB)’s turn to have a say.

PUB told The Straits Times, “PUB does not recommend riding PMDs on drain gratings, which are an essential part of the drainage system that ensures effective stormwater management.”

That’s not the worse of the news though. You must be wondering, how much can they be fined? $2K? Nah maybe $5K?

Nope and nope. Let’s try 10 times that amount? Close enough.

Riding on drain covers might damage the drain or stormwater system and this may is an offence.

“Damaging any drain or stormwater drainage system is considered an offence under the Sewerage and Drainage Act. Those convicted may be fined up to S$40,000 or jailed up to three months, or both.”

Yes, you will be slapped with a $40,000 fine.

Idea 3: Riding On Kerbs

Safe to say, with NParks and PUB stepping forward to announce that it is in fact illegal to do any of the aforementioned, we’re just waiting for the announcement that riding on kerbs is illegal too.

After all, Singapore is a fine city.

At this point buying a bicycle seems like a better mode of transport.