The Malaysian police just issued a warning to remind people not to ride electric scooters (eScooters) on public roads. According to Traffic Investigation and Enforcement (JSPT) head Datuk Mat Kasim Karim, the police has gotten complaints about eScooters on city streets causing inconveniences to road users.
There was even a recent viral video featuring a man in London riding an eScooter on the highway, showing how dangerous and ridiculous it looks.
Riding eScooters on public roads is actually illegal, as Section 54 of the Road Transport Act 1987 states that it could lead to being “fined RM300 for the first offence and RM1,000 or three months jail for subsequent offences”. However, the police said they will not take action on first offence and will try to educate eScooter riders on the dangers of riding on public roads.
The law was actually only announced in the beginning of the year, effective January 1st 2021. It was implemented as eScooters normally cause inconvenience to drivers and place the rider in danger of an accident. There are still no clear guidelines for personal mobility devices (PMD) in Malaysia.
Even though they are fully banned on highways, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) conducted a study and found that eScooters are still useful in certain areas. The use of eScooters is only allowed in gazetted areas like playgrounds, pedestrian walkways, and around shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur.
District police chief ACP Mohd Fadzil Ali also warns cyclists for riding dangerously on public roads, stating that cyclists must have a bell, lights, and brakes on their bicycles, at least in Putrajaya. Any violation of this rule will be met with a court hearing and a fine.
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