PETALING JAYA: Certain micro-mobility vehicles like mopeds and electric scooters are banned from being used on roads, says transport minister Wee Ka Siong.
At a press conference, Wee said this ban had been gazetted under the Road Traffic Rules and had been in effect since Dec 17.
The ban covers mopeds, electric scooters (internal combustion engine power or human power), and personal mobility aids.
While bicycles are considered a type of micro-mobility vehicle, the MCA president clarified that these were not prohibited from roads, but riders must comply with existing regulations under the Road Transport Act and Road Traffic Rules.
Meanwhile, only electric bicycles that comply with the standards department’s requirements are allowed on the road but under the same rules applied to regular bikes.
“Other than that, the main characteristic of electric bicycles that differentiates it from mopeds is the lack of throttle, with pedals that are permanently attached to the vehicle,” Wee said.
He warned that the police and road transport department would start enforcing this prohibition immediately and that those found breaching the law can be prosecuted under the Road Transport Act.
“All relevant authorities, including local authorities, are urged to monitor the use of micro-mobility vehicles in their respective areas of jurisdiction.
“Local authorities may construct road infrastructure that supports the safe use of micro-mobility vehicles, such as bicycle lanes, that will not be mixed with existing traffic flow,” he said.
Previously, Wee said new rules would be announced soon for these vehicles, possibly including requiring a driving licence for e-scooters capable of going faster than 50kph.
He voiced concern over how some electric bicycles could go faster than motorcycles, which could then cause accidents if the rider went too fast and lost control.
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