Enforcement against Errant Users of Personal Mobility Devices

22 Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked the Minister for Transport (a) when will LTA start enforcement action against errant users of personal mobility devices (PMDs) and what will be the intensity of such enforcement action; (b) whether other means, such as CCTVs or investigations of public complaints, will be used; (c) whether persons who have been in accidents with PMDs can seek assistance from LTA; (d) whether lack of PMD licence plates hinders investigations; and (e) whether LTA will reconsider introducing compulsory insurance.

23 Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Transport (a) whether there are any further plans or measures to reduce the frequency of accidents caused by PMDs or electric bikes colliding with pedestrians; (b) how does the Ministry ensure that PMD users will avoid using roads; and (c) whether new measures will be introduced to ensure that all electric PMDs in use or being brought into Singapore have appropriate speed limiters and that all PMD users adhere to the prescribed speeds.

24 Mr Zaqy Mohamad asked the Minister for Transport how can the Ministry improve the safety of pedestrians given the recent spate of accidents involving e-scooters.

25 Assoc Prof Randolph Tan asked the Minister for Transport whether there has been an increase in cycling or the use of PMDs on footpaths by persons doing so in groups of two or more and whether such usage by groups is supported by the current design of our footpaths.

26 Assoc Prof Randolph Tan asked the Minister for Transport whether the tendency of certain cyclists and users of PMDs to switch between footpaths and roadways is a danger to other road users and whether the Ministry considers it necessary to address this issue as part of its deliberations on policy about allowing cyclists and PMD users on footpaths.

27 Ms Jessica Tan Soon Neo asked the Minister for Transport what additional measures can be taken to ensure safety for pedestrians and those who use the e-scooter, especially in areas of high pedestrian traffic and on public roads.

28 Dr Tan Wu Meng asked the Minister for Transport (a) how many accidents involving collisions between pedestrians and (i) bicycles or (ii) PMDs have been reported over the past one year; and (b) whether LTA will reassess mandating compulsory insurance by owners of bicycles and PMDs to cover third party claims arising from accidents.

29 Mr Ang Wei Neng asked the Minister for Transport (a) whether the Ministry can provide an update on the plan to allow users of PMDs to share the pavement with pedestrians in the light of recent accidents involving e-scooters; (b) whether the Ministry is considering making it compulsory for users of e-scooters or equivalent to buy insurance plans that cover third party liability and accident damage; and (c) what are the recourses available to victims who are involved in accidents with users of PMDs.

The Senior Minister of State for Transport (Mrs Josephine Teo) (for the Minister for Transport): Mdm Speaker, may I have your permission to take Question Nos 22 to 29 together?

Mdm Speaker: Yes, please.

Mrs Josephine Teo: There are altogether eight questions which reflect the valid concerns of the public, particularly in light of a recent accident that occurred in Pasir Ris. Like Members, I was most upset and saddened by the accident, and I hope that the injured person, Mdm Ang, will make a full recovery soon.

In the meantime, Police investigations are ongoing and, when they are completed, we hope to have a better understanding of the accident.

In response to Dr Tan Wu Meng's question, there were 12 reported on-road accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists in the 12 months to June this year. For off-road cases, Police records currently do not distinguish between accidents caused by PMDs or bicycles and other offences causing hurt. Going forward, LTA, which is now the lead agency for active mobility, will be tracking these.

As Members know, when used safely and responsibly, bicycles and PMDs offer great convenience and benefits. They are environmentally friendly, promote a healthy lifestyle and are affordable. In many cities around the world, there is growing interest to use bicycles and PMDs to get around. City planners and administrators also see benefits in promoting their use.

However, the careless behaviour of a small minority of users has caused accidents and led some members of the public to oppose their proliferation. It would be unfortunate if we allowed the careless behaviour of this small minority to prevent the larger majority of responsible and considerate cyclists and PMD users from enjoying the benefits of such travel modes.

The sensible approach is to adopt measures that will help prevent accidents. Earlier this year, the Active Mobility Advisory Panel, which comprises representatives from a broad spectrum of society, issued a list of recommendations on how this can be achieved. The recommendations were wholly accepted by the Government and will be tabled for debate in Parliament soon.

Let me briefly recount the key measures. First, we will not allow any device heavier than 20 kg or wider than 70 cm, or have a maximum speed that can exceed 25 km/h to be used on any public paths, because these devices have high propensity for serious accidents. Power-assisted bicycles, even if they meet these criteria, will not be allowed on footpaths.

Second, we will regulate the behaviour of cyclists and PMD users on public paths. All must observe a speed limit of 15 km/h on footpaths and 25 km/h on cycling paths. They must also abide by a code of conduct. For example, cyclists and PMD users must always give way to pedestrians, and slow down and be prepared to dismount when approaching crowded areas, such as bus stops.

Third, we have already stepped up our enforcement efforts. The Land Transport Authority had set up a dedicated team of Active Mobility Enforcement Officers, and since May this year, the team has been patrolling hotspots where many cyclists and PMD users share paths with pedestrians. These enforcement officers have issued advisories to over 700 cyclists and PMD users for unsafe behaviours. This is about 5% of those that they engaged. In other words, what that means is that the vast majority of cyclists and PMD users have been observed to be riding safely and responsibly. In addition, LTA has conducted close to 20 joint operations with the Traffic Police to clamp down on reckless riding behaviour, and will continue with such enforcement operations.

Fourth, we have also stepped up education efforts. LTA launched the Safe Riders Campaign in April this year. The Safe Cycling Programme, which will start by February next year, will strengthen previous campaigns by also educating cyclists and PMD users about the new rules and code of conduct. We are also partnering the community to roll out the Active Mobility Patrol scheme in more than 20 constituencies, where we will mobilise volunteers to join in the education outreach. LTA has also engaged retailers of PMDs to educate them about the new rules and, migh It add, the penalties. This is so that they are aware of the criteria for devices that can be used on public paths and the consequences of selling illegal devices.

Some Members have asked if we should register bicycles and PMDs and mandate third party insurance. These were suggestions that the Panel considered. In the end, they assessed that registration and compulsory insurance would be too onerous and costly for the vast majority of cyclists and PMD users who behave responsibly and safely. However, power-assisted bicycles, which travel on roads and are typically prone to modification, should be registered. The Government concurred with the panel's assessment.

Cities with a strong culture of active mobility, like Amsterdam and Copenhagen, likewise, do not mandate registration or insurance. Like in those cities, pedestrians in Singapore who are injured in accidents can obtain compensation by initiating civil lawsuits or through private settlements. If the offender is prosecuted and convicted in a criminal Court, the Court will consider if compensation to the victim should be paid.

The new rules and enforcement and education efforts will help to build a culture of responsible and safe sharing of space. In many cases, safety is also about practising common sense, for example, by using paths in single file when the path is narrow, slowing down in crowded areas and not switching between footpaths and roads suddenly.

Many densely populated cities, like Tokyo and Amsterdam, have demonstrated that cyclists and pedestrians can co-exist harmoniously in the same space. Clearly, we are not there yet and it is still very much "work in progress", but with the co-operation and patience of all Singaporeans, let us try to build a culture of safety and civic mindedness, so that everyone can enjoy the benefits of active mobility, whether it is walking, cycling or using PMDs.

Mdm Speaker: Order. End of Question Time.

4.00 pm

[Pursuant to Standing Order No 22(3), Written Answers to Question Nos 33-38, 40-44, 46, 49-57, 59, 62-64, 66-76, 79, 81, 83-89 and 91 on the Order Paper are reproduced in the Appendix. Question Nos 30-32, 39, 45, 47-48, 58, 60-61, 65, 77-78, 80, 82 and 90 have been postponed to the next available Sitting of Parliament.]