Personal mobility aid sellers could take months to adjust speed limits, sell off old stock

SINGAPORE: Most personal mobility aids (PMAs) currently being sold in Singapore will not meet proposed requirements to cut their maximum speeds, according to retailers. 

They told CNA that more time would be needed to sell off or reprogramme existing stock, following the release of a report on Thursday (Dec 14) aimed at regulating PMA use.

Authored by the Active Mobility Advisory Panel and submitted to the Ministry of Transport, the report’s recommendations also included allowing only users with certified medical needs or walking difficulties to use mobility scooters. 

PMAs include mobility scooters and motorised wheelchairs.

The report comes after focus groups raised concerns over the misuse of PMAs by those who appear able-bodied, and the lack of regulations on the purchase and safe use of the devices. 

The panel thus suggested reducing the speed limit of all motorised PMAs from 10kmh to 6kmh, to better reflect the typical walking speed of path users, which is between 4kmh and 6kmh. 

It also proposed that retailers be required to sell PMAs with a maximum device speed of 6kmh, with a transitionary period to clear existing stock and obtain devices that adhere to the speed limit. 

The government will study the recommendations before taking any next steps. 

In response to CNA’s queries, the Land Transport Authority said there were eight accidents involving PMAs that occurred off the roads, from January to June.

PMA distributor Falcon Mobility’s managing director Warren Chew said the recommendations were “long overdue”. 

“On the pavements, there are already many three-wheeled e-scooters that travel faster than 10kmh (and are) sold under the guise of PMAs,” he said. 

He added that these devices go as fast as 25kmh to 30kmh, which is illegal and poses serious threats to pedestrians. 

“However … rules are useless if they are not enforced,” said Mr Chew. “If the new recommendations become law, enforcement must be stringent for the rules to be effective.”

Related:

Panel recommends cutting speed limit of personal mobility aids

Rules proposed for use of cargo bicycles, novel mobility devices on roads and paths

Mr Chew told CNA that Falcon Mobility would need six months to comply with a reduced speed limit for PMAs. 

About 20 per cent of their electric wheelchairs and 75 per cent of mobility scooters are above the threshold and have maximum speeds of up to 10kmh, he said.

Depending on the device, Falcon Mobility will charge between S$30 and S$90 to reprogramme its speed limit – a service which may take anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours, according to Mr Chew. 

He expects “thousands” of customers asking for their devices to be reprogrammed, and was concerned his company would be unable to cope with a “tsunami” of requests.

DNR Wheels’ sales and business development manager Jackson Teo said all of the disability equipment provider’s mobility scooters would be affected by a reduced speed limit.

While staff would be able to reprogramme them, the company will also need up to half a year to discuss with its manufacturer the production of PMAs with a default maximum speed of 6kmh.

Retailer Mobot’s brand manager Bobby Lai said his company might not be able to clear inventory accumulated for the holiday season. It would take up to four months to sell existing stock, he added.

POPULAR WITH FOOD DELIVERY RIDERS

In an Instagram poll by CNA, respondents said they often saw families using PMAs as a form of transport around neighbourhoods and more commonly, food delivery riders on PMAs and speeding on paths.

“One even livestreams his delivery and honks at pedestrians (while) speeding on the pavement,” said an Instagram user by the name of Joshua Tan.

Mirroring observations by the mobility panel’s focus groups, other poll respondents said the PMA riders appeared to be able-bodied, and that some were abusing the devices for their own entertainment. 

Food delivery companies told CNA they would support riders should the proposed recommendations come to pass. They did not share how they would ensure riders complied with the requirements.

A Deliveroo spokesperson said that as part of supporting the diverse needs of riders, including those with disabilities, the company was “open” to them using vehicles that comply with local regulations, including PMAs, to fulfil their deliveries. 

“The wellbeing and safety of our riders are always our top priorities, and we will continue to establish an inclusive environment for riders and the wider community.”

The Grab platform said a “small percentage” of delivery riders use PMAs currently. 

“We will work closely with the government and do our best to support our delivery-partners through any transition if the recommendations are accepted,” a spokesperson said. In a statement, foodpanda said it gave delivery riders the “freedom to sustain their livelihoods and pursue their goals”. 

“Foodpanda maintains its commitment to making platform work safe, inclusive and accessible to all delivery partners. The safety and welfare of our delivery partners, regardless of delivery mode, and the wider community continues to be our number one priority,” a spokesperson said. 

Foodpanda also said it hoped that government policies would consider the impact on the livelihoods of delivery riders.

“We stand ready to work closely with authorities towards improving guidelines around the use of PMAs and an implementation that is fair to all stakeholders,” it added.