Greater regulation needed for electric bicycles, riders

I refer to the recent announcement that the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has revised the technical requirements for power-assisted bicycles (PABs) (“Tougher rules, penalties for riders, sellers of e-bikes”, Nov 20).

Beyond the technical requirements, there are other issues, such as the safety of riders and third parties — such as pedestrians — that the LTA should consider.

There is also the issue of culpability in the event of accidents involving PABs.

I have witnessed young children riding the PABs. Worse yet, they do not wear helmets, they have pillion riders, they do not stop at traffic lights when riding on the road, and they ride fast on pedestrian and cycling paths. As for adults who also ride at high speeds, they appear to expect pedestrians to make way for them.

PABs ridden irresponsibly pose a threat to pedestrians, especially the vulnerable such as children or senior citizens.

If an accident happens, there is unlikely to be insurance coverage to pay for bills, while it may be difficult to identify riders or the bicycle as there is no registration for the bike owners. What if these bicycles were used in a crime?

We should not wait for accidents and other unfortunate incidents to happen before coming up with what ought to have been put in place from the very beginning.

I suggest that all ownership of PABs be registered with the LTA or with the police.

If this cannot be done, owners and their details should be registered with an association, such as the Automobile Association of Singapore (AAS), and any change in ownership should also be registered.

Furthermore, third-party insurance coverage should be required, with premiums at a nominal sum per year, administered by the LTA or perhaps even One Motoring or AAS.

The age and safety requirements, such as the wearing of helmets, should also be enforced more rigorously, as well as the rule of riding PABs only on roads.

On the road, PABs should be ridden on the left close to the kerb, and not in the middle or fast lanes, and they must stop at the red light.

Safety is for one and all, and not just for the riders of PABs.