Electric scooters (eScooters) are a popular way for pedestrians to get around the city, and they also provide last mile connectivity for public transport users. In Kuala Lumpur, eScooters are commonly used in areas like Dataran Merdeka, KLCC and Bukit Bintang.
However, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) said they will start imposing fines on errant riders that use eScooters on public roads starting 1 January 2021. Currently, the police are advising eScooter users to stop riding them.
According to Kuala Lumpur Traffic Enforcement and Investigation Department chief ACP Zulkefly Yahya, his department frequently received many complaints from the public of eScooters being used on roads, as well as being dangerous as it could cause accidents.
According to Zulkefly, when enforcement begins next year, offenders will be fined RM300 and up to a maximum of RM1,000 for subsequent offences or be jailed for three months under the Road Transport Act 1987,
Are eScooters completely banned from all Malaysian roads?
According to the police, eScooters can still be used on public roads but riders will need to apply for a special permission licence from the director-general of the Road Transport Department (JPJ).
So where can you use eScooters? According to the police, riders can still ride around but only in gazetted areas such as playgrounds and permitted areas around shopping centres.
Beyond this strict definition of where eScooters can be used, there are no clear guidelines or SOPs given to the public. This leaves eScooter sharing services like Beam in a conundrum as the rules severely restrict where their vehicles can be used.
If we were to interpret this rules strictly by what the police said, you can’t ride an eScooter on public roads but there is nothing said about using it on footpaths. Technically, this could mean that you can use an eScooter sharing services like Beam, to ride along footpaths or cycling paths to navigate around the city.
So, right now there are more questions than answers right now for eScooter users in Malaysia. For example, can users use eScooters to commute from MRT stations to their office buildings if they stay far away from public roads? Are all users required to register their eScooters and apply for a licence?
Across the Causeway, Singapore has also banned eScooters from being used on public roads. But unlike local authorities, Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) have a set of clearly defined guidelines. This includes defining how eScooters and similar electric powered vehicles can still be used on cycling paths though those under 16 years of age need to be supervised by an adult.
The rules also set a speed limit for eScooters where they are limited to travelling at 25km/h on cycling paths and park connectors. These vehicles also need to meet UL2272 certification – that include an IPX4 test where water is sprayed on it from all angles.
These tests and certification are to ensure that the personal mobility devices are safe and there’s no risk of explosion, fire, electrolyte leakage and shock.
Changes in the law
Under the Road Transport (Amendment) Bill 2020, which came into effect on Oct 23, the Transport Ministry now regulates micromobility vehicles, that include eScooters. This includes the mandatory registration of such vehicles and requiring a driving licence if appropriate.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said micromobility vehicles are not the same as bicycles, and they are dangerous for road use.
Back in September, Wee attached a video of an individual that rode an electric unicycle on the highway on a Facebook post. He warned such behaviour is dangerous and puts other users at risk.
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