Electric scooters, not bikes, the real danger on footpaths

I have followed the Voices discussion on electric bicycles with interest, the latest letter being “Some electric bicycles not authorised for use in public spaces” (Sept 5).

In my observation, most electric bicycles are ridden by older people, who normally follow the rules by not riding on footpaths but on the road; and when they do, they seem to do so slowly.

The same cannot be said for electric scooters. Twice in the past few months, I felt in danger of being run over by young men speeding down underpasses on their silent machines.

It appears that the Land Transport Authority requires electric bicycles to be certified and restricted to a top speed of 25kmh and 200W in power, while no such restrictions exist for electric scooters.

There are numerous online advertisements for electric scooters with 350W motors and speeds of up to 40kmh. One website is now heralding the expected arrival of 400W scooters next week.

I cannot wait to dodge one of those on the footpaths.

I believe that both electric scooters and bicycles have significant and green contributions to make in addressing Singapore’s traffic issues. But I feel now like joining other voices saying “ban the lot of them”.