It has come to light that the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has seized the e-scooter of a woman, after she was caught riding it with her child on a road in Singapore.
The woman was spotted breaking the law on January 11 at Edgefield Plains, by Active Mobility Enforcement Officers, during their routine checks. LTA reported the incident on Facebook yesterday.
LTA talks about the incident in the post, "Her actions put herself and her young child in danger, and her PMD has since been impounded.
We would like to remind all e-scooter riders that it is an offence to ride Personal Mobility Devices (PMDs) on the road, and only bicycles and LTA-approved power assisted bicycles are allowed. We will take enforcement action against any rider found breaking the law."
Rules for using PMDs / E-scooters
- Only bicycles and (LTA approved) power assisted bicycles are allowed on the road. PMDs are not allowed on the road. PMDs can only be used on footpaths and cycling/shared paths.
- Ride in an orderly manner, with due regard for the safety of others. Observe specific speed – 15km/hr on footpaths, and 25km/hr on shared paths and cycling paths.
- PMDs which are used on public paths should have a maximum width of 700mm, maximum unladen weight of 20 kg, and maximum device speed of 25km/hr.
- Equip the device with white light in front and red light at the back, and switch them on during hours of darkness. If it is not possible to equip the device with lights, the user must be equipped with lights (e.g. wear a luminous vest, fix lights onto a helmet) and switch them on during the dark.
- Always give way to pedestrians on footpaths and shared paths. Remember that pedestrians have the right of way on pedestrian crossings.
- When a cycling or shared path is next to a footpath, use the cycling or shared path, instead of the footpath. Slow down, and be prepared to stop when approaching high pedestrian-traffic areas such as bus-stops. Either ‘walk your bicycle’ or dismount and push at high pedestrian-traffic areas.
- Keep a safe distance from other users to avoid collisions. Slow down when approaching intersections or around bends. Slow down and give way to vehicles/pedestrians when approaching car parks or pedestrian accesses.
Social media reacts
Reactions across social media have been mixed. Some say the poor mummy was probably just picking the child from school or getting groceries from the market.
While others say that personal mobility devices are a cheap and eco-friendly alternative to driving and their use on roads isn't really an issue. Some others insist that the law on the use of PMDs on the road is not clear.
But most people agree that safety should be the primary concern, especially when young children are involved. And more so, because the users of these PMDs are technically not 'licensed' to use them on the road, and pose a hazard to pedestrians and motorists alike.
Another parental concern is the use of these e-scooters as a "play-thing" by today's kids, who seem to enjoy whizzing around HDB void decks in them, endangering others in the vicinity.
So what is your take, dear readers? Are e-scooters harmless or should stricter measures be taken against them?
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