E-Scooter Rider below 16 Need Supervision Else Penalties With Jail And Fine
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has announced on July 13 that all riders of active mobility devices such as Personal Mobility Devices (PMDs), Power-Assisted Bicycles (PABs), and bicycles will soon have an additional restriction from Aug 1. This is to make it illegal for those under 16 to ride e-scooters without adult supervision.
LTA mentioned that this movement was to restrict the rules so that those who are below 16 years old with adult supervision will reduce the risk of accidents caught among these PMDs and PABs from colliding with street vehicles.
The maximum penalty for underage PMD riders caught on public paths will be a fine of S$1,000 and imprisonment for three months for the first offense, with double the maximum penalty for subsequent offenses. When this was debated in Parliament, Nominated Member of Parliament Anthea Ong expressed discomfort at the prospect of those under 16 being imprisoned under the updated law.
For additional rules also, riders cannot use mobile devices while riding and this is to address safety concerns related to distracted riding by LTA.
image via LTA on Facebook