Singapore follows France in prohibiting e-scooters from sidewalks

From Monday, November 4, Singapore enforces a ban on e-scooter use on sidewalks due to a rise in accidents, including at least one fatality.

Lam Pin Min, Senior Minister of State for Transport, announced in Parliament on Sunday that an advisory period will last until December 31, with warnings issued to riders.

Other personal mobility devices (PMDs), such as hoverboards and electric bicycles, are expected to be included under the ban as well.

This decision followed the death of a 65-year-old woman who collided with an e-scooter while cycling in late September. She passed away in the hospital several days later from a brain injury, as reported by The Straits Times.

Lam stated that the growing calls for a ban were driven by an increasing number of accidents and persistent violations of e-scooter rules. He clarified that the ban would not apply to people with disabilities, as wheelchairs are considered personal mobility devices (PMDs).

Singapore is not the only country to prohibit e-scooters on sidewalks. France has also implemented a similar ban after an influx of e-scooters caused tensions with local residents.

Minister Lam explained that the rapid growth of e-scooter use, driven by their convenience for commuting and food delivery, has seen the number of devices soar to nearly 100,000 across the city.

He mentioned that efforts to regulate the e-scooters, including safe-riding programs, speed limits, and rider licenses, have not been sufficient to prevent accidents.

“We are still dealing with riders who use non-compliant devices and engage in dangerous riding behavior,” he remarked.

Lam stated that, on average, 370 individuals are caught each month violating e-scooter regulations, contributing to the rising number of accidents.

“Banning e-scooters from footpaths is a tough decision, but it's a crucial step to ensure pedestrians can feel safe again on public walkways,” he commented.