Escooter Owners in Singapore take note!

UPDATE [6 Aug 2019]: The PMD safety certification deadline has been moved forward to July 2020. All non-UL2272 certified devices will be auto-deregistered and cannot be used in public after July 2020. Escooter owners can continue to ride only UL2272 certified PMDs beyond the July 2020 deadline.

The dilemma of e-scooter buyers

If you have always wanted to own an escooter but haven't had the chance to buy it yet, no fret. Seasoned electric scooter rider and looking to change your device? We got you covered. 

This is a list of the top 3 considerations escooter owners should check through before making your next e-scooter purchase: 

1) Can Your E Scooter Undergo Registration? 

It is compulsory for all escooter owners to register their devices starting from early 2019. (Users of other personal mobility devices such as self-balancing hoverboards and electric skates don't have to do so.)

The catch is: only LTA-approved escooters can undergo registration.

 

How it works:

You will have to provide your personal details to be keyed into a database.

Afterwards, you'll receive a unique identification number and a registration mark.

These identification stickers have to be stuck prominently onto the front of your electric scooter stem. 

We will release further details of the registration process in time to come. 

2) Is Your E Scooter LTA-Approved?

Before you start spending, you should ensure that:

• the escooter does not exceed 70 cm in width,

• it does not weigh more than 20 kg,

• the device can only go at a maximum speed of 25 km/h. 

This is the criteria the Land Transport Authority (LTA) gave to all e scooters. If your device does not meet one or more of these criterions, your electric scooter is automatically not LTA-approved. 

3) Does it have the UL2272 Certification?

This is a really big one. 

For those who are unfamiliar with the recent e scooter laws, it is compulsory for all electric scooters in Singapore to be UL2272-certified from January 2021 onwards. 

What's the deal about UL2272?

If you are buying an e scooter in July 2019 and beyond, take note that retailers are banned from selling you non UL2272-certified devices. 

Some context: Underwriter's Laboratories (UL) is an independent American safety certification organisation. They created the UL2272 safety standard to specifically test the electrical systems of personal mobility devices (PMDs). 

It is proven that UL2272-certified electric scooters are less prone to fire and electrical hazards than non UL2272-certified ones. 

Where to look for the UL2272 marking

The marking is shown in various ways: a logo (if you can't find the UL logo, look for the Canadian Standards Association aka CSA logo) or a written official statement. 

Fun fact: CSA is another safety certification company. It is also a partner organisation of UL. CSA takes on UL's testing parameters and procedure to conduct tests on the e scooters on behalf of the American company. 

If you're unsure if the device you're buying is certified or not, there are 3 places to check and verify:

• On the escooter/self-balancing hoverboard itself

• On the product packaging

• In the user manual

So long as the logo or statement can be found in one or more of these places, your device is UL2272-certified.  

For riders who currently don't own a UL2272-certified PMD, don't despair. You have until end-2020 to ride it. So long as you change to a certified device by the deadline, you're good. 

A Tidbit on the 10 km/h Rule...

First and foremost, you can't ride your electric scooter on the road (it is against the law). However, with Singapore's extensive network of pathways, there is really no reason to do so. 

Here are some places where you can ride your e scooter:

• Shared paths: these come in the form of park connectors and cycling paths. As shared paths are usually wide and can accommodate more pedestrians. You can legally go up to 25 km/h when riding on your e scooter. 

• Footpaths: these are the pedestrian pavements found alongside roads. They are narrower in width than shared paths. Thus, the LTA has made a rule that all PMDs have to travel at a maximum speed of 10 km/h on these paths. 

Conclusion

Now that you have all these information at your fingertips, go forth and make your next e scooter purchase! If you're looking for a UL2272-certified, LTA-approved electric scooter, our Segway-Ninebot ES2 is going at a low price of $649 (Usual Price: $799). 

In fact, you can get additional benefits like after sales repair services and a free one year warranty on your electric scooter frame when you shop from us.