What You Need To Know About The E-Scooter Ban

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard the news: Starting today, e-scooters are no longer allowed on footpaths. To avoid scooting yourself into trouble, here’s what you need to know about the new regulations.

1. Consequences for riding e-scooters on a footpath

Since this ban has just been implemented, there will be an advisory period until 31 December so that e-scooter riders can adjust to the new regulations. During this period, anyone caught riding an e-scooter on footpaths will simply be given a warning. (Note: This is not an excuse to ignore the ban and just keep scooting away on the pavement!)

However, starting from 1 Jan 2020, those caught riding an e-scooter on footpaths will be liable to a fine of $2000, jail of up to three months, or both.

2. Where to ride e-scooters

So, are e-scooters just another item on the “banned in Singapore” list now? Not quite. You can still ride e-scooters on cycling paths and park connector networks, which span approximately 440km islandwide at the moment. With several cycling path projects in the works across the country, this will eventually extend to 750km by 2025, and even further afterwards.

3. What will happen to my food deliveries?

Perhaps the most important question of all: How will the e-scooter ban affect services with e-scooter riders like food delivery services and PMD-sharing services?

Well, fortunately for your convenience, less than 30% of existing food delivery riders use e-scooters, so your Deliveroo and FoodPanda orders should still be fine. In light of the new regulations, LTA will be working with food delivery companies to help their riders make the transition to motorcycles or bicycles instead.

On the other hand, it seems that PMD-sharing services will be less lucky, as LTA will now reject existing license applications for such services and refuse new applications due to safety concerns.

4. What about other PMDs?

If you think you’re being clever by using other PMDs to get around the ban, here’s more bad news for you: While the ban only applies to e-scooters for now, it will be extended to cover other types of PMDs like hoverboards and electric unicycles by the first quarter of next year.

Fortunately, there are some exceptions, as bicycles and personal mobility aids like motorised wheelchairs or mobility scooters are excluded from the ban. Guess it’s time to trade your e-scooter for a bicycle and start pedalling!

5. How to get rid of non-compliant e-scooters

Back in September, LTA offered cash and free disposal services for PMDs that don’t meet fire-safety standards. Now, the early disposal incentive scheme has been extended until the end of the year.

How does this work, you might ask? Simply put, you’re offered $100 to turn in a non-UL2272 compliant registered e-scooter, which will be disposed of without needing you to lift a finger. In case you’re unsure of what UL2272 compliance entails, it refers to a set of safety requirements which encompass the electrical drive train system of PMDs, including the battery system.

If you’re unlucky enough to still own a non-compliant e-scooter, why not take this ban as the perfect excuse to dispose of it?

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