There will soon be tighter regulations imposed on Personal Mobility Aids (PMAs) in Singapore, with speed limits lowered from 2025.
There will also be restrictions on the size of PMAs used on public paths and a new requirement for users of mobility scooters to be certified with relevant needs such as mobility challenges.
Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Transport Baey Yam Keng announced the upcoming rules during the Committee of Supply debate on the Ministry of Transport’s (MOT) budget yesterday (5 Mar).
Mr Baey said the Government has accepted the Active Mobility Advisory Panel’s (AMAP) recommendations put forward in December last year.
The recommendations include decreasing the PMA speed limit to align it with normal walking speeds. The suggestions came about after there were increased concerns that able-bodied riders were misusing PMAs and endangering the safety of other path users.
In his speech, Mr Baey said there is a need “to ensure that PMAs are used by those who really need them, and in a safe and responsible manner”.
Thus, around 2025, the speed limit of all PMAs will be reduced from 10km/h to 6km/h.
Source: The Straits Times on Youtube
Pointing out that 10km/h is running speed, Mr Baey said a typical walking speed is between 4 and 6km/h.
6km/h is a brisk walking speed “that even some able-bodied people may not be able to sustain for an extended period”, he said.
He acknowledged that most existing PMAs have a speed limit of 10km/h. In view of this, users do not have to replace or stop using their existing PMAs.
They are, however, required to still keep within the new limit of 6km/hour when riding.
Mr Baey said the next time users replace their devices, they should purchase ones with a speed limit of no more than 6km/h.
To gauge their speed, users can download free mobile applications or purchase speedometers that cost less than S$10.
In addition, there will be rules imposed on the size of PMAs allowed on public paths — mirroring the rules in place on public transport.
Crucially, they must be within 120cm (length) x 70cm (width) x 150cm (height). They must also bear a laden weight of no more than 300kg, including the rider’s weight.
“This will allow users to seamlessly transit between public paths and public transport,” said Mr Baey.
Source: Land Transport Authority – We Keep Your World Moving on Facebook
Lastly, only users who are certified to have relevant medical or physical needs, such as walking difficulties, would be allowed to use mobility scooters.
This rule does not affect those using motorised wheelchairs, and the Government will recognise existing forms of certification, said Mr Baey.
They will also keep the process for obtaining certification simple, he added.
Mr Baey gave assurance that the Government will ensure a smooth transition to the new regulations.
They will only kick in around 2025, once legislative amendments have been made to the Active Mobility Act.
This will give affected retailers and users sufficient time to make the necessary changes and arrangements for the transition, he added.
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Featured image adapted from The Straits Times on Youtube and DriveBikes.
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