Licensing operators may be key to improving PMD rider behaviour

OF all the regulatory sandboxes the authorities have brought into play, arguably the most contentious are those relating to personal mobility devices (PMDs), particularly electric scooters. Hence, the decision by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to delay awarding licences to operators of PMD-sharing services over safety concerns is prudent.

The LTA had earlier said that it would announce its decision by mid-2019. It now says it needs more time to review imposing additional requirements on licensees to ensure the safety of users and the general public, in the light of recent incidents of reckless riding and accidents involving PMDs.

The proliferation of e-scooters has polarised society to an extent not seen in other modes of transport. Even within the PMD space, hoverboards, unicycles and kick scooters do not elicit as much hostility as e-scooters from among non-users.