Protection and Safety of Pedestrians Given Challenges Presented by PMDs and E-scooter Users

The following question stood in the name of Ms Foo Mee Har –

1 To ask the Minister for Transport in light of the challenges in controlling errant PMD users, what additional measures are being considered by LTA to protect the safety of pedestrians and ensure that growth in PMD use does not overwhelm infrastructure capacity.

2 Mr Seah Kian Peng asked the Minister for Transport whether the Ministry is considering new measures to curb the use of e-scooters including stronger enforcement and harsher punishments.

3 Mr Seah Kian Peng asked the Minister for Transport (a) whether LTA has tracked down vendors who modify PMDs illegally; (b) to date, how many have been caught; (c) what are some of the punishments meted out; and (d) what is the Ministry's assessment on the adequacy of the current measures.

4 Mr Murali Pillai asked the Minister for Transport whether the length of the amnesty period ending end-2020 for the use of PMDs which are not compliant with the UL2272 standard should be reviewed in light of the increasing number of fire incidents at homes linked to overcharging of PMD batteries.

5 Miss Cheng Li Hui asked the Minister for Transport in view of the recent fire incidents involving PMDs (a) whether there is a need to step up public awareness and education on PMD safety tips; (b) whether current measures to prevent such fire incidents are sufficient; and (c) what measures can the community take to work hand-in-hand with the authorities to reduce and prevent such fire incidents.

6 Dr Teo Ho Pin asked the Minister for Transport (a) to date, how many PMDs have been registered with LTA; (b) how many of them are UL2272-certified; (c) what measures have been taken to educate the registered PMD owners to ride safely and charge their PMDs safely; and (d) whether there are plans to further enhance the safe use of PMDs on public paths.

7 Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked the Minister for Transport in view of the recent spate of fires involving PMDs (a) whether the Ministry can place a temporary ban on the use of PMDs until there are proven solutions for the safer use of PMDs; and (b) whether LTA can bring forward the deadline for all motorised PMDs used on public paths to be certified to the UL2272 standard.

8 Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked the Minister for Transport whether there are plans to incorporate dedicated lanes for bicycles and PMDs into the existing infrastructure to ensure the safety of both pedestrians and riders.

9 Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Transport (a) whether PMDs belonging to current commercial shared-PMD services operating from private premises only are allowed to travel on public land; and (b) if so, whether the Ministry will review the current law or licensing conditions to expressly bar such PMDs from being allowed to travel on public land unless the operators are given a licence to operate commercial shared-PMD services on and from public land.

10 Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Transport whether PMDs belonging to current commercial shared-PMD services operating from private premises only are presently required to be (i) certified to the UL2272 standard to ensure fire safety and (ii) insured against third-party claims for bodily injury or death when travelling on both public and private premises.

11 Assoc Prof Daniel Goh Pei Siong asked the Minister for Transport whether there has been a further spike of PMD-related fires in the first half of 2019 and what are the considerations for not quickly bringing forward the end-2020 deadline banning the use of non-UL2272 devices on public paths.

12 Mr Desmond Choo asked the Minister for Transport in view of the recent fires related to the charging of PMDs and healthcare institutions taking steps to restrict charging of PMDs on their premises (a) whether the Ministry will consider providing guidelines to other institutions where there are significant concentrations of people; and (b) how is the Ministry working with such institutions to mitigate potential fire hazards that may arise from such charging at their premises.

13 Mr Lim Biow Chuan asked the Minister for Transport whether LTA will prosecute any retailers or suppliers who sell PMDs or PMD batteries which are non-compliant with regulatory requirements.

14 Ms Rahayu Mahzam asked the Minister for Transport (a) what further steps will the Ministry be taking to regulate the purchase of safety-compliant PMDs and the charging of PMDs in homes; and (b) what is the timeline for the review of the deadline for the PMD safety certification.

15 Miss Cheryl Chan Wei Ling asked the Minister for Transport (a) whether there are any requirements for PMDs and their charging systems to be certified with safety marks by Enterprise Singapore before being permitted for sale in Singapore; (b) whether random tests are currently conducted on the charging system of PMDs; and (c) how does LTA manage the retailers who provide modification services for PMDs and their batteries.

16 Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked the Minister for Transport (a) what is the current number of registered Personal Mobility Devices (PMD); (b) how many of these registered PMDs have a safety certificate; and (c) in view of the increasing number of PMD-related accidents and fire incidents, whether the Ministry will reconsider its position on mandatory third-party insurance for all registered PMDs.

Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye (Tanjong Pagar): Question No 1.

The Senior Minister of State for Transport (Dr Lam Pin Min): Mr Speaker, may I have your permission to take Question Nos 1 to 16 in a Ministerial Statement later?

Mr Speaker: Yes. Mr Christopher de Souza.