How to practise safe riding with your UL2272 certified e-scooter
Riding an e-scooter in Singapore is very quickly becoming a norm. From the hardworking delivery riders who find the ease of using one to the daily commuter who is trying to escape the rush hour and crowded trains and buses, e scooters are becoming the more popular form of alternative transport. For those who are considering getting one of these marvels of modern urban transportation, here are a few tips which you should follow.
Register your e-scooter
This is the first and most important tip that I can give you. Make sure that your e-scooter is registered with the Land Transport Authority (LTA). You may think that this in unnecessary or a hassle but it is a must in Singapore to have any PMDs, be they e-scooters or e-bikes, registered under the LTA and follow their guidelines for said device.
Remember that you can only register a UL2272 certified e-scooter with the new laws that have been put in place by LTA since 1 July 2019. Non-UL2272 e-scooters cannot be ridden in Singapore now and cannot be registered.
From 1 July 2019 onwards, persons found riding unregistered e-scooters on public paths (more on public paths below) can be fined up to $2,000 and/or jailed up to 3 months. Repeat offenders can be fined up to $5,000 and/or jailed up to 6 months.
To register your e-scooter, visit the LTA’s OneMotoring website or SingPost’s post offices.
Only ride on footpaths and cycling paths
Do not ride your e-scooter on the road! It will not only endanger you but other drivers as well. New regulations and rules by LTA have also made it illegal for e-scooter riders to ride on roads. So stick to the footpaths and shared cycling paths when you’re getting around on your e-scooter.
Even then remember to abide by the rules of riding on such paths. Keep your e-scooter capped at 10 KM/h when you are riding on footpaths and below 25 KM/h when on shared paths. Make sure that you are alert and look out for pedestrians as you are riding. Signal to anyone walking in front of you or slow down when nearing them so that you minimize the risk of collision.
If you come up to a pedestrian-only path and you see a ‘dismount and push’ sign while you’re cruising along these paths, make sure that you dismount from your e-scooter and push it along the path.
E-scooter/PMD riders who use their e-scooters/PMDs on a pedestrian-only path can be fined up to $1,000 and/or jailed up to 3 months. Penalties may be doubled for repeat offenders.
For those who use their e-scooters/PMDs on the road, the penalties are even steeper: first-time offenders can be fined up to $2,000 and/or jailed up to 3 months. Repeat offenders can be fined up to $5,000 and/or jailed up to 6 months.
In both cases, your e-scooter/PMD can also be seized and later forfeited.
Slow down when going downhill or on a slope
Whether you’re discovering a new part of the city or simply getting to your destination, it’s easy to lose track of the speed at which you’re traveling. Always remember that electric scooters can pick up speed quicker than you realize, especially when assisted by the pull of gravity. Please remember to use the brakes on your electric scooter liberally when going downhill.
Do regular maintenance
Make sure your scooters’ tyres, brakes, and lights are in good working condition because faulty or substandard components may pose to be a hazard to you and others around you. Bring in your scooter for regular checks with a certified mechanic and make sure that you take care of it properly. Check your e-scooter for damages every time before you ride and immediately bring it in for repairs if you do spot any.
If you follow these tips, then I can assure you that you will have a safe and fun time with your e-scooter. And for those who are looking to get a new e-scooter, the UL2272 and LTA approved Segway-Ninebot MAX and ES2 are perfect choices for your daily travelling needs!
The all-new Segway-Ninebot MAX is the ‘big brother’ of the ES2, capable of traveling 65km on a single charge. The Segway-Ninebot ES2 also has an impressive range of 25km per single charge. Both e-scooters will be perfect for daily commutes and leisure riding.
