Accidents involving PMDs on footpaths fell nearly 80% last year
SINGAPORE — Accidents involving motorised personal mobility devices (PMDs) fell by 79 per cent to 30 cases last year compared with 2019.
Senior Minister of State for Transport Amy Khor and Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Transport Baey Yam Keng were giving an update on active mobility and pedestrian safety in Parliament on Friday (5 March) during the debate on the ministry's budget for this year.
"To further enhance safety, we will be rolling out a new import controls regime for personal mobility devices and power-assisted bicycles in the first half of 2021," said Dr Khor.
"This is an important measure to prevent the import of non-compliant devices. Meanwhile, we will continue with regular inspections of AM (active mobility) devices to deter illegal modifications," she added.
Meanwhile, Baey said the ministry will release a handbook for e-scooters and power-assisted bicycle riders in April. The ministry had earlier announced that such riders must take a theory test to ride in public. Baey said the tests will begin in the middle of the year.
The transport ministry will also launch a ‘Move Happy’ graciousness campaign in May to raise awareness on safe and gracious path sharing, he said. The campaign will focus on keeping left on paths, using appropriate paths, and being alert of one's surroundings and looking out for others.
In her speech, Dr Khor also said the government is on track to expand cycling paths in Singapore from 460km to 1,300km by 2030.
“By the end of this year, we will have added 28km of cycling paths, in Bukit Panjang, Sembawang, Taman Jurong and Yishun, as well mature estates such as Ang Mo Kio, Bishan, Tampines, Taman Jurong and Toa Payoh,” she said.
Construction will be prioritised for towns without cycling paths, she added.
Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore
More Singapore stories:
Nurses to get 5%-14% salary raise phased over next two years: Koh Poh Koon
More than 350,000 Singapore residents have received first vaccine dose: Gan Kim Yong
Quarantine and SHN must be replaced to revive aviation: Ong Ye Kung
Transport fares to be adjusted 'from time to time' to ensure long-term sustainability: Ong Ye Kung
'Bright future' should not lead to lighter sentences for sexual offenders: Shanmugam
