Is it important to switch early to a UL2272 certified scooter?
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. Users can continue to ride only UL2272 certified PMDs beyond the July 2020 deadline.
More than 85,000 electric scooters has been registered by the 30th of June 2019 deadline. Now it is illegal for personal mobility device users to ride, cause or allow to another person to ride an unregistered e-scooter on public paths.
The majority of registered LTA compliant electric scooters do not have UL2272 certification.
If you still own a non-UL2272 e-scooter that has been registered, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has some advice for you!
LTA strongly encourages PMD owners to switch out early to a UL2272 certified e-scooter for their own safety as well as that of others.
What can you do to handle your PMD safely to prevent causing accidental fires at home and at the office? You can practise safe charging tips such as:
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Don’t leave your device charging overnight
Just because your device is UL2272 certified doesn’t mean it definitely will not catch fire. You still have to handle your PMD safely. Avoid overcharging it by leaving it charging overnight and do not charge it when the battery is already full.
Be sure to check your battery regularly for any damage or deformity such as bloating, corrosion and powdery residue. If there is an issue with your battery, send it for repair immediately.
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Do not tamper, modify or repair your PMD on your own
Everybody wants to stand out from the crowd, but please do not do it by tampering or modifying your PMD on your own. Not only is it extremely dangerous to attempt to modify your PMD if you’re not a professional, but it also poses risks of causing a fire.
In an event where there is an issue with your PMD or it is not functioning properly, send it to a shop for repair and don’t attempt to repair it on your own.
You might think of doing that to save a couple of bucks, but trust me, it is way better than having to pay your hospital bills if something were to go wrong. Don’t forget the additional costs of restoring fire damage and replacing your furniture. Is it really worth it?
Spending on repair is the safest solution as opposed to risking your own safety. 
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Don’t charge your PMD near combustible materials
It is important to ensure your PMD is not around any combustible material when it is being charged. You should always charge it on a hard and flat surface to ensure optimal dissipation of heat.
Your PMD should not be covered with fabric and should be placed in a cool area, or at least shaded away from any heat source. It’s best that you store it away from places like the kitchen where the heat from a stove could cause the device to heat up.
Avoid charging your scooter outside your house or flat that can obstruct an escape route for your neighbours.
Also, regularly observe and check your e-scooter batteries for deformities such as battery bloating and white powdery residues.
We should be responsible PMD owners and take note of the various measures to prevent your PMD from causing a fire in order to increase public safety. Improper handling can result in grave consequences not only for yourself but also for the people around your premises where the PMD is being kept. It’s always better to be safe and sorry!
What do you look for in a new e-scooter? Check for UL2272 certification first
What is UL2272?
UL2272 is a certification by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), an independent American safety certification company. Devices are put through certain safety tests to ensure that the entire electrical system of a personal mobility device (PMD) can withstand various extremes.
From 1 January 2021, all PMDs on the road will need to be UL2272 certified. (Latest Update as of 24 July 2019: LTA has indicated that it is considering moving up the deadline for scooters to be fully UL2272 certified to an early date which will impact more than 75,000 electric scooters).
When you own a registered non-UL2272 certified PMD that was bought before 1 July this year, you may continue to use it until end 2020.
However, by switching to a UL2272 certified PMD, you are not only considering your own safety but also the safety of your loved ones, your neighbours and your colleagues.
Buying a PMD with LTA approved UL2272 certification will minimise the risk of fire and electrical accidents.
How to recognize a UL2272 certified device
Here are the six UL2272 certification mark logos approved by LTA: 
If your device has any of these LTA approved certification mark logos, you can ride the scooter with a peace of mind. You also can ride your UL2272 scooter even after end 2020 deadline.
An example of a LTA approved UL2272 certified PMD is the new and powerful Segway Ninebot MAX. It offers GrabFood Delivery riders and other long distance riders up to 65 km maximum distance range on a single battery charge.
The MAX has an built-in charger that means you don’t need to bring a charger along to charge it up.
To know more about UL2272 certified PMDs, you can read about it here:
https://www.ohmybike.com/blogs/news/why-is-it-important-to-get-a-ul-2272-certified-e-scooter
Is the new scooter LTA-compliant?
Confirm that the scooter specifications of the new scooter has the following: a weight of less than 20kg and a maximum speed of 25 km/hr and a handlebar width of less than 70 cm.
When the new scooter you are eyeing fulfills the above LTA compliance requirements for an electric scooter and at the same time, has a UL2272 logo on the underdeck, you can go ahead to make the purchase!
