ST: Personal mobility journey must go on.

[bic_cherry]

Personal mobility journey must go on
A man on a personal mobility device at Victoria Street.

A man on a personal mobility device at Victoria Street.PHOTO: ST FILE
PUBLISHED: 28 May 2019.
In view of the recent spate of Forum letters on personal mobility devices (PMDs), I applaud policymakers for not taking the easy way out by going for an outright ban.

While this might immediately quell voices of dissent, it would prevent many others from ever benefiting from new micro-mobility options.

Technology will only move forward. Even if regulators cave in now, new micro-mobility alternatives will emerge in time to come. For example, the hoverboard that was mooted more than two decades ago in the movie Back To The Future could well become reality in the near term.


Should we as a society, continue to apply a carte blanche ban on all such devices?

Some writers also pointed to similar curbs in countries such as Germany as the way forward. In Germany, e-scooters will soon be allowed on roads but not pavements. However, what many reports failed to mention is the fact that cycling lanes in Germany are considered roads, and that there are increased fatalities resulting from accidents between cyclists and motorists. This number can only go up when the new e-scooter rules kick in.

In fact, I believe what Germany is doing is not all that different from Singapore. It has not banned e-scooters outright. It is also looking at building better infrastructure, possibly akin to Singapore's plans to build more cycling paths to better segregate mobility devices from pedestrians and cars.

E-scooters are a relatively new phenomenon here but, even then, laws have been swiftly passed to govern their specifications and usage to protect users and pedestrians. Regular reviews are undertaken by the authorities as well as the Active Mobility Advisory Panel to plug gaps and keep regulations up to date. This is supplemented by extensive public education. This approach is a robust and sustainable one.

We must continue to chart a new era of micro-mobility transportation that is not only safer for everyone, but also responsible to the environment, our city and our pockets.

I am confident that we will eventually get there, but it is inevitable that there will be some bumps along the way. Our culture of tolerance, graciousness and responsibility must always prevail and never erode. It is what makes us uniquely Singapore.

Denis Koh Teck Leong


https://www.straitstimes.com/forum/letters-in-print/personal-mobility-journey-must-go-on

 

[laksaboy]

What we need are high speed all-terrain motorized wheelchairs. For that to happen, something better than lithium batteries must be invented.

 

[bic_cherry]

ST: Evolution of active mobility in S'pore is encouraging
A man wearing a safety helmet rides his electric scooter at Marina Barrage.

A man wearing a safety helmet rides his electric scooter at Marina Barrage. PHOTO: ST FILE
PUBLISHED: 28 May 2019
The authorities have been taking some flak for the disruption being caused by personal mobility devices (PMDs).

But they are actually doing a good job of balancing emerging technology, the needs and wants of diametrically opposed groups of people, the use of current infrastructure and resources, and planning for a future vision of transportation within Singapore.

I believe that the hard infrastructure for PMDs is well in place. When Singapore becomes car-lite, there will be road and other resources that can be readily allocated for micro-mobility use.


Meanwhile, technology in PMDs is developing rapidly, so it is a wise move not to expend resources to develop PMD-specific infrastructure that may not be usable by future devices.

Allowing the use of PMDs is not a mistake. As with any new idea, the pains of adoption are unfortunate but necessary.

There is a big ongoing effort to bring various users of off-road infrastructure together.

A key initiative is the Land Transport Authority's (LTA) Safe Riding Programme (SRP), which has rapidly evolved. It has not only led to tens of thousands being educated, but also, more importantly, sparked spin-offs, including institutional collaborations such as Deliveroo-LTA and the GrabWheels trial e-scooter service at the National University of Singapore, to name a few.

This has been an evolutionary process, and the movement is spreading as LTA welcomes everyone (pedestrian, cyclist, PMD rider or motorist) to attend the SRP, and thus start the meeting of minds.

Further, the rules and culture of shared off-road infrastructure are being rolled out at a meaningful proactive and evolutionary pace, and not solely on the basis of reacting to incidents and complaints.

My take is that Singaporeans are not as polarised as it may appear. There begins a thread of commonality on the issue of PMDs.

I, for one, look forward to this movement of balanced needs for all, and a common understanding.

Colin Koh


https://www.straitstimes.com/forum/...on-of-active-mobility-in-spore-is-encouraging

 

[knowwhatyouwantinlife]

What does personal mobility device hve to do with technology...jesus sinkies

 

[glockman]

Yes, PMDs are here to stay unfortunately. So make it mandatory for users to obtain a license to operate and have insurance coverage. Only approved devices can be used, and they can only be used on roads. Problem solved.

 

[bic_cherry]

Yes, PMDs are here to stay unfortunately. So make it mandatory for users to obtain a license to operate and have insurance coverage. Only approved devices can be used, and they can only be used on roads. Problem solved.

Most probable ultimate solution:

http://lovecycling.net/projects/busbike-lane/

 

[Soul]

I saw this in Singapore before. More like a bike to me, can travel on pavement, so no COE