LTA has announced that from Nov 5, 2019, e-scooters have been banned from footpaths. You can only use them on park connectors and bicycle lanes.
The ban has hit food delivery riders hard especially when they use PMD to earn a living. Under the new rule, e-scooters are not allowed on footpaths. The ban will be progressively extended to other motorised PMDs by the first quarter of 2020. Bicycles, PMAs and non-motorised PMDs, such as manual kick-scooters, can be used on footpaths. From Jan 1, 2020, those caught riding an e-scooter on footpaths will be liable for a fine up to S$2,000 and/or jail up to three months.
This has affected over 7,000 PMD riders who use e-scooters to do food deliveries.
Search for alternatives
According to Google Trend, search queries for ‘eBikes‘, ‘Power-Assisted Bicycle‘ and ‘PAB’ have surged over the past few days from Nov 4, the same day after LTA announced the ban.
Power-Assisted Bicycle (PAB) are not allowed on footpaths but can be used on public roads. This has resulted in many trying to search for an alternative to PMD to carry on their job to earn a living.
Technical Requirements for PAB
According to LTA, you must be at least 16 years old to use a PAB.
For your safety and the safety of other road users, your PAB must meet the following technical requirements:
- The construction of a PAB must be similar to that of a conventional bicycle
- The PAB can only be powered by an electric source
- The PAB must comply with European Standard, EN15194, for electric power-assisted cycles
- The maximum continuous power output of the PAB must not exceed 250 watts
- The motor power of the PAB can only cut in when the rider starts to pedal
- The motor power of the PAB must be progressively reduced and finally cut off as the bicycle reaches 25km/h, or sooner, if the cyclist stops pedalling
- The maximum weight of the PAB must not exceed 20kg
LTA-approved eBikes
There is no list of approved eBikes on LTA website but here are a few that were tested and approved:
Minimotors Venom 2/2+
$799 on Qoo10
Tsinova Smart eBike
$1,688 on Qoo10
Register your eBike with LTA (from onemotering.com.sg)
You can buy an unregistered PAB and bring it for type-approval, sealing and registration yourself. If the unregistered PAB already has an LTA orange seal, you will only need to register it. Alternatively, you can buy a registered PAB from a retailer, who will simply transfer the registration to your name.
To register or ride a PAB, you must be at least 16 years old. You must also wear protective gear when riding a PAB. If you fail to follow the guidelines when using your PAB, you may face penalties.
If you have purchased an unregistered PAB, you must get it type-approved and sealed and registered at an LTA-Authorised Inspection Centre before you can use it.
If you have purchased an unregistered PAB which already has an LTA orange seal, register your PAB online.
Once registered, affix a registration number plate on your PAB.
You may also transfer your PAB to another rider who meets the requirements.
If you are no longer using your PAB, you can also deregister it.