Potential hazard, so no to more e-scooters, PMDs on our roads
Many readers objected vehemently to the news that there are more applications to the authorities by companies to launch rental services for shared e-scooters and personal mobility devices (PMDs) here, as they repeated their long-held concerns about pedestrian safety for the young and old, and the problems of chargers for e-scooters being fire hazards, among other things.
Many readers objected vehemently to the news that there are more applications to the authorities by companies to launch rental services for shared e-scooters and personal mobility devices (PMDs) here, as they repeated their long-held concerns about pedestrian safety for the young and old, and the problems of chargers for e-scooters being fire hazards, among other things.
I really think Singapore as a society isn’t ready for shared transportation model as such. Doesn’t the irresponsible parking of shared bikes and the throwing of bikes down blocks, canals, bridges not teach the decision-making authorities anything? We are not ready. Our level of civic-mindedness is not ready.
Of course, it’s lucrative business, but there are undesirable social costs as well. KEN YEOH
Since the Government wants to give licences to these operators, let’s start with some assurance.
1. Ensure the operator is made responsible for accidents when pedestrians are hurt. Thus, injured pedestrian can claim payment or medical cost via the operator.
2. Should the operator fold up and run away, the Government which had a hand in issuing the licence should pay for medical cost or compensation. Or else someone must be made responsible. There has to be some accountability. LANCE BERNARD GOH
The controlling authority should understand three important things about pedestrians:
1. We are not protected by any enclosure as with a car, bus , van etc.
2. Pedestrians do not have side-view and rear-view mirrors to warn them of any danger approaching from the back (even motorcycles have that).
3. Children and older /aged pedestrians may not have the required awareness, reflexes and the ability to react quickly in the event of a potential collision. So I am, too, strongly against this share-transport service. DUNCAN NORTH
Objection! Too many accidents or victims left bedridden for life, and no amount of compensation is sufficient when another person's wellness is robbed in this manner. Please, the authorities should make a visit to the parks during the weekends and survey how these PMD users ride these motorised devices. Existing riders should buy a third-party liability insurance, too, so that victims can claim against them effectively. AURELIA ELENA
And if the charging docks or scooters burst into flames? There are so many unsafe aspects to this endeavour that it outweighs any good. XERAPHINE BLAZE FERNANDO
Please don’t provide such services. The authorities can't even control them properly. Don’t come in and cause more problems for the pedestrians. AH BENG
Please don’t! Please walk, it’s good for you. Exercise. FATHI FADZIL
Learning from the past few years, I am very concerned about e-scooter accidents. This is not fair to the public and pedestrians. They have to worry about personal safety even on walkways. FRANCIS CHU
Always mentioning to us to keep healthy, eat healthy and encouraging us to exercise. Are these e-scooters and PMDs really helping us to exercise? ALAN TAY
I join the call to reject the applications. There are too many irresponsible users of e-scooters and PMDs everywhere…
Many cities in the US are having problems with these shared e-scooter users who park illegally and knocking down pedestrians... Why are we even considering allowing these here? USA Today reported last November that in California… the city of Beverly Hills opted to impose a six-month scooter ban. San Francisco issued a temporary ban, then limited the number of operators to two, while Santa Monica is experimenting with designating some street parking spaces for scooter parking. Other cities have tried similar approaches, including Nashville, Denver and Washington. ROBIN KOH
No no no. I cannot think of any benefits in having these e-scooters... I can think of harm, hazards to road users and pedestrians, unnecessary waste of space, a decline in health, etc. RONNIE NG
Hope there won’t be more cases of collecting hefty deposits from users, then shutting down abruptly and leaving taxpayers to pay for clearing the abandoned devices from public spaces. For some businessmen, this seems to be the business model. We used to call these “bucket shops”. MEI LIN WONG
The users of these PMDs are usually inexperienced with traffic rules — dangerous traffic situations where they are not equipped with the skills to handle... The pedestrians are at the greatest risk. I don't remember there being a study of the real need for such shared-transport enterprises and how regulations can be enforced. Will the Ministry of Transport listen to the people’s voices? KH CHOW
Hope that the Land Transport Authority, now with hindsight, do it right this time. XIAOHAO MOK
*Comments were first posted on TODAY's Facebook page and are edited for language and clarity.