More than 60 roads identified for pedestrianisation, e-scooter theory test to start in mid-2021: MOT

• More than 60 road spaces have been selected to be converted into footpaths, cycling paths and bus lanes
• By end-April, cards and lanyards will be given to commuters who need seats
• A theory test for e-scooter and power-assisted bicycle riders will start in mid-2021

SINGAPORE — More than 60 road spaces islandwide have been identified for conversion to footpaths, cycling paths and bus lanes, so as to make walking, cycling and public transport more convenient for Singaporeans.

And from the end of next month, cards and lanyards will be given to commuters with non-visible medical conditions to prompt others to give up their seats to them, replacing the stickers used now.

These were among several announcements made by the Ministry of Transport (MOT) during the debate over its budget in Parliament on Friday (March 5).

WALK CYCLE RIDE

The Land Transport Transport (LTA) has identified more than 60 road spaces that are deemed suitable to be converted for pedestrian use.

However, Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung said that he does not expect all 60 projects to proceed. The authorities will work with the community on each project and will go ahead only when they assess that the changes benefit the community.

One such project is underway at Kampung Admiralty, where a stretch of road has been temporarily converted to a walkway on one side and a bus-only lane on the other.

Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State for Transport, said that the authorities will start another project this month to widen a footpath along Havelock Road by using water-filled barriers to seal off the roadside parking lots.

Stretches of roads at other locations, starting from Ang Mo Kio Street 22, will also be converted into cycling paths, she added.

If the community is in favour of these projects, the authorities will build structures to make these changes permanent.

E-SCOOTER THEORY TEST

Mr Baey Yam Keng, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Transport, said that the authorities will release a handbook next month for an upcoming theory test that e-scooter and power-assisted bicycle riders must take.

These tests will begin in the middle of this year.

Footpaths have become safer since e-scooters were banned from using them in late 2019, he added. Accidents involving motorised personal mobility devices (PMDs) fell by 79 per cent to 30 cases in 2020 from 2019.

Another rule will come into effect in September requiring all bicycles to have brakes when used on public paths and roads, Mr Baey said.

Dr Khor added that to prevent non-compliant devices from being imported, the  will be rolling out a new import controls regime for PMDs and power-assisted bicycles.

“Meanwhile, we will continue with regular inspections of active mobility devices to deter illegal modifications,” she said.

FOSTERING A CARING CULTURE

A committee set up last year to make public transport here a more pleasant experience will put out recommendations to MOT by the middle of the year on how Singapore can sustain a caring commuter culture, Mr Baey said.

The Caring SG Commuters Committee has so far spoken to more than 2,000 commuters to find out what they want to make the transport system more inclusive.

Beyond consulting commuters, it has also launched a variety of initiatives such as the project to give stickers to commuters who have non-visible conditions, which Mr Baey said would be replaced with cards and lanyards.

SUPPORT FOR TAXI, PRIVATE-HIRE CAR DRIVERS

Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of registered private-hire cars has dropped by 12 per cent, Dr Khor said.

As of last month, the Government has disbursed more than S$155 million in relief payouts to more than 50,000 drivers through the Special Relief Fund and the Covid-19 Driver Relief Fund.

More than S$500 million was also disbursed to more than 57,000 drivers under the Self-Employed Person Income Relief Scheme (Sirs).

The Covid-19 Driver Relief Fund was introduced in January to replace the Special Relief Fund and Sirs for taxi and private-hire car drivers.