PMD users, pedestrians can afford to be more caring towards each other

It’s painful to learn of yet another pedestrian who was badly injured by a user of a personal mobility device (PMD) in a public place (“E-scooter rider charged with injuring 45-year-old pedestrian seriously”; March 16). It could have happened to any of us.

I was nearly struck by a PMD user and a cyclist in the space of only 10 minutes while walking along the Singapore River one morning. The first time, an e-scooter rider suddenly whizzed past me from behind. The speed, unexpected appearance and close “brush” gave me a fright. The second time, a cyclist suddenly appeared as I was about to turn round a corner.

Both times, I was alert enough to avoid a collision and injury to myself.

I shudder to think of what could have happened if I were someone frail and less mobile in those situations. I dread to see more reports of casualties caused by reckless or negligent PMD and bike users.

Every time I see someone riding past a bus stop without dismounting, it is like an accident waiting to happen.

Pedestrians’ safety is paramount in public places shared with PMD users and cyclists. Footpaths along roads and walkways in parks may sometimes have markings for cyclists and pedestrians, but not everyone will stay on the right paths.

It is timely that users of e-scooters are required to register them from the second half of this year. This move will hopefully help to reduce reckless and dangerous riding, following the recommendations by the Active Mobility Advisory Panel.

Mandatory registration is one approach to tackle the problem, but it is more important in the long term to reform PMD and bike users’ attitude towards pedestrians.

PMD and bike riders move at a much faster speed than pedestrians, so they should be looking out for those who walk and to alert them in advance if they are coming up from behind them.

Both they and pedestrians ought to follow the norm of moving on the left side of a pathway, and to show concern for and courtesy towards other users.

We need to learn, at any age, to be more gracious and considerate towards each other while adjusting and adapting to a changing environment.